FTR International to build new campus center in Los Angeles

Irvine-based FTR International, Inc. was awarded a contract to build a $46 million health and sciences center at Los Angeles Valley College.

The company was awarded the contract in March by the board of trustees for Los Angeles Valley College.

FTR will build a three-story, 98,000-sq.-ft facility called the Allied Health and Sciences Center. The building will include teaching labs and classrooms and will include such "green building" elements, including energy-efficiency measures.

Funding for the project is coming from Propositions A/AA, which were bond measures approved by voters in 2001 and 2003. The center will also receive $15 million in state funds.

BYCOR begins new Voit project in Chula Vista

BYCOR General Contractors began construction of Voit-Chula Vista Commerce Center in May.

The company will construct six buildings totaling 182,629-sq.-ft. in the 3500 block of Main Street in Chula Vista. The $8.7 million project is expected to be complete by spring 2007.

Ware Malcomb will serve as the project architect and Voit Development is the developer.

Some of the subcontractors who will help build the project are: F. J. Willert Contracting Co., Inc., Rand Engineering, Qualtech Concrete, Inc., Struc Steel Inc., D. A. Whitacre Construction, Inc., Karvon Electric, and Western Fire Protection, Inc.

Howard S. Wright completes Newport Beach library

The Irvine office of Howard S. Wright Construction Co. finished building Mariners Branch Library for the city of Newport Beach.

The 15,000-sq.-ft. library was finished on April 20 and opened to the public on April 21. It includes a community room, study center, teen corner and children's rooms.

The $5.5 million library was designed by Newport Beach-based Thirtieth Street Architects. The interior aesthetics of the library were designed by Carole Graham of Graham Designs.

Noll & Tam design Morgan Hill Library

Berkeley-based Noll & Tam has designed a 28,000-sq.-ft. library for the city of Morgan Hill expected to open by summer 2007.

The library project, expected to cost $17.5 million, combines new library services with an energy-efficient and modern design. Some of the library's features will include a paved entry plaza featuring benches that will resemble stacks of books. The building will also use natural colors and materials to complement its surroundings including a nearby peak, El Toro.

The library will also minimize energy use though the use of natural light, additional insulation and composite glazing. Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants will be used in and around the building.

Kearny, Catellus and Morgan Stanley finish Space and Missile Systems Center

The $125 million Space and Missile Systems Center for the United States Air Force was finished in March and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held April 24.

The center includes 535,000-sq.-ft. of office space and a 17,000-sq.-ft. child development center. Each building is designed as a safe and secure facility that conforms to the latest Department of Defense requirements for blast resistance. The office campus will house 2,200 employees.

The Center was developed by Kearny Real Estate Co. and its development partners Catellus Development Corp. and Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund. The project was finished five months ahead of schedule.

The Los Angeles office of Nadel Architects designed the complex. The Air Force recognized the project with a national Honor Award for concept design in 2004. The project also received the 2004 American Planning Association's Planning Project Award (Los Angeles Division).

"The simple, bold design of the SAMS buildings emphasizes clean lines and aerodynamic forms, creating visual reference to space and flight," says R. Michael Walden, senior vice president and director of design with Nadel Architects. "The four-story buildings are designed to appear as multiple structures, with exteriors broken into visually diverse components of precast, spandrel and window elements.

"From a design standpoint, SAMS is far as you can get from your typical military facility."

Edge Development starts work on Highland library

EDGE Development, Inc. has started building a 30,000-sq.-ft. library and environmental center in Highland.

The $12 million Sam Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center was designed by San Jacinto-based STK Architecture and will be San Bernardino County's largest library.

Expected to be completed by July 2007, the library will include an amphitheater and rooftop gardens designed to combine a library with the study of the environment.

The project is also expected to achieve a LEED Silver certification and represents EDGE's first LEED work.

The project is EDGE's sixth with the city of Highland; other projects in the city have included a fire station and athletic center.

"The City has been working with EDGE for over five years with great success and is excited to be partnering with them again," said Joe Hughes, assistant city manager. "EDGE's Construction Management team has always maintained a professional attitude while delivering outstanding service."

R.D. Olson Development starts hotel in Burbank

Irvine-based R.D. Olson Development has started to build a $30 million Marriott Residence Inn in Burbank.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held May 16 at the 1.7 acre site, located at the corner of Verdugo and First Street.

R.D. Olson Construction will serve as the general contractor for the 165,000-sq.-ft. hotel. The five-story, 166-room hotel will include a fitness center, laundry facilities and conference and boardroom space.

Phoenix-based PK Architects designed the exterior of the hotel.