Time Ticks Down for Green Building Tax Break

LEED certification is on the rise across all types of construction projects, and the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction is designed to stimulate sustainable construction. But the incentive is about to expire.

Tax Break for Energy Efficient Buildings May Expire at Year’s End

The Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction, a federal incentive that provides a deduction of $1.80 per sq ft for the design and construction of energy efficient commercial buildings, is set to expire at end of the year. The AIA encourages the extension of the deduction beyond 2008.

Industry insiders say extending tax incentives for commercial construction will provide an immediate stimulus to the design and construction industry.

Koll Breaks Ground on AAA Center, Austin’s Northpointe Trade Center

Dallas-based Koll Development Co. broke ground recently on the new 147,000-sq-ft AAA operations center in Oklahoma City. The three-story building will feature elements of KDC’s Intellicenter program - branded, high-performance green office buildings - and will be LEED certified.

The new three-story center is part of a collaborative effort involving AAA clubs across the country. The site is slated for completion in late 2009.

Koll designed and will develop the center. The building has been designed to LEED certification.

Additionally, KDC, along with Birmingham, Ala.-based Harbert Management Corp., started construction on Northpointe Trade Center in Austin. It is the second industrial development for KDC and HMC since launching a $120 million national development program in February.

Northpointe Trade Center will consist of three buildings totaling 448,550 sq ft of industrial space. Shell work is scheduled for completion in March 2009. Each of the buildings is designed to attain LEED-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

In addition to the Austin project, KDC currently has a 50-acre industrial site under development in Houston across from Ellington Field. Development is taking place in two phases. The first phase includes three buildings totaling 500,000 sq ft with completion planned for late December. The second phase, to begin in 2010, will include two buildings totaling 320,000 sq ft.

Trammell Crow Develops Global Tech Firm’s Headquarters in Dallas

Dallas-based Trammell Crow Co. was selected to develop a new national corporate headquarters for Diodes Inc., a global manufacturer and supplier of application specific standard products within the broad discrete and analog semiconductor markets in Plano. Diodes purchased the 16-acre tract in the master-planned Legacy mixed-use development from Trammell Crow Co. in June.

The site is on the west side of the Dallas North Tollway at the southwest corner of Legacy Drive and Communications Parkway. The building is anticipated to range between 70,000 to 75,000 sq ft and construction will start by early 2009.

In 2006, Trammell Crow and an undisclosed joint venture partner purchased 404 acres in Legacy from EDS. Since then, TCC has been developing a three-building, 450,000-sq-ft campus for Capital One. Approximately 264 acres remain for future sale and/or development. Dallas-based Corgan Associates has been selected as the architect.

Ascension Breaks Ground on Central San Marcos Medical Center

Arlington-based Ascension Group Architects broke ground on the $35 million expansion and renovation of Central Texas Medical Center in San Marcos. Totaling more than 64,000 sq ft, the project is expected to include a childbirth center with private rooms, a 22-bed obstetrics unit and a Level II neonatal critical care unit.

The project, overseen by Erick Westerhom, a principal at Ascension Group, also will include an expansion of the hospital’s surgical suite and a new nursing unit. The project is scheduled for completion in by spring 2010.

Meeks+Partners Designs Luxury Condo on Gulf’s Mustang Island

Coastal comforts: The Palmilla at Port Aransas, planned on a 30-acre parcel owned by Koontz McCombs. Meeks+Parners created a design aimed at a relaxed resort lifestyle including 94 luxury condos.

Houston-based Meeks + Partners designed a new flagship development for San Antonio-based commercial developer Koontz McCombs. Expected to begin ground-breaking in spring 2009, The Palmilla at Port Aransas will be located on Mustang Island, an 18-mi barrier island off the south Texas coast 30 minutes from Corpus Christi and 11 mi south of Port Aransas.

Inspired by the coastal architectural vernacular, The Palmilla at Port Aransas is planned on a 30-acre parcel owned by Koontz McCombs. Designed as a relaxed resort lifestyle, four residential buildings will offer 94 luxury condominiums above structured parking on a 3.5-acre footprint. The community is planned across from a new Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course and near the Mustang Beach Airport. Surrounded by a 1-mi public boardwalk, the property will provide access to boats in the bay via a marina, fishing piers and boat slips.

$137-Mil Irving Convention Center and Visitors Bureau

The recently unveiled $137 million Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau, slated to open in fall 2010. Aiming for LEED certification, RMJM Hillier of Princeton, N.J., is developing the project.

Plans Unveiled Plans were unveiled for the 275,000-sq-ft $137 million Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau slated to open in fall 2010 with 50,000 sq ft of column-free exhibit space, a 20,000-sq-ft ballroom, 20 break-out rooms and an 800-car parking garage.

The project is aiming for LEED certification. RMJM Hillier of Princeton, N.J., is developing the project. The convention center facility is the first phase of a mixed-use entertainment complex on a 40-acre tract. It includes a 3,500-seat concert venue, 215,000 sq ft of restaurants and retail, and a privately developed hotel, spa and condominiums.

Walter P Moore Corporate Offices Earn LEED Certification
Houston-based Walter P Moore’s new corporate office was recently awarded Corporate Interiors LEED-silver certification.

Walter P Moore’s new space was designed by Charles Kifer & Associates and Gensler, both of Houston. The LEED certification was achieved through energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.

La Palmera Shopping Center Begins Major Renovation Process

La Palmera in Corpus Christi has started $50 million in renovations for the nearly 40-year-old mall. In July, Fort Worth-based Trademark Property Co. purchased the 1,017,704-sq-ft Padre Staples Mall, now known as La Palmera. Renovations are scheduled to be completed in November 2009. Trademark will pursue LEED certification.

Plans call for transforming the main entrance into an outdoor lifestyle court with outdoor seating areas surrounded by palm trees. Other amenities include new shops and restaurants, indoor landscaping and an aquatic theme for the food court with a large aquarium and a children’s play area. La Palmera will remain open during the scheduled 15-month process.

Planning Assoc. Honors San Marcos, Broaddus & Associates and TSU

The Central Texas Section American Planning Association awarded the Current Plan of the Year for the city of San Marcos/Texas State Town Gown Compilation Plan. The award recognizes the joint efforts of the city of San Marcos, Texas State University-San Marcos and Broaddus & Associates of Austin over a course of four years that combines the university’s campus master plan with the city’s Campus Edge District and downtown master plans.

The city and the university retained Broaddus & Associates as its master planner, resulting in a compilation plan that has received the current plan of the year award.

In 2004, Texas State University’s Master Plan was launched to address a projected 30,000 student enrollment increase and the need for additional academic facilities. In the final phase, the Texas State campus will connect to San Marcos Courthouse Square, with a public plaza for students and residents.

Four Texas Projects Among Contracts for Nashville-Based SSR

Smith Seckman Reid Inc. of Nashville was recently awarded contracts to provide engineering design and facility consulting for four Texas projects.

The firm will provide mechanical, electrical and plumbing/fire protection and telecommunications services for Texas Children’s Hospital Maternity Center in Houston; mechanical, electrical and plumbing/fire protection for San Antonio Military Medical Center Consolidated Tower in San Antonio; mechanical, electrical and plumbing/fire protection for UTMB Jennie Sealy Replacement Hospital of Galveston; and mechanical, electrical and plumbing/fire protection for University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - Clinical Care Tower in Dallas.

Everman ISD Field House Construction Under Way by Speed Fab-Crete

Fort Worth-based design-build firm Speed Fab-Crete started construction on the new $5.3 million Dale Keeling Field House for Everman Independent School District. It is one of several projects under way by Speed Fab-Crete for the school district. The 24,100-sq-ft complex will contain athletic facilities for the school district’s ninth grade, junior varsity and varsity football teams. Completion is planned for spring 2009.

Fort Worth-based Callahan & Freeman Architects designed the angular shaped facility. The exterior of the field house will be precast concrete walls with limestone rock aggregate and a partial veneer of two different colored brick and a standing-seam roof.

Three Medical Buildings in Denton Slated for January Opening Fort Worth-based Innovative Developers Inc. started construction on the first of three 4,000-sq-ft medical office buildings in Denton. The first building is projected to be complete in January. IDI coordinated the pre-development and design/engineering of the properties.

Renovation Begins on Historic Settles Hotel in West Texas’ Big Spring

The Settles Hotel renovation effort broke ground in Big Spring, some 50 mi. northeast of Midland, with plans to upgrade the heating, air conditioning, plumbing and elevators, as well as restorations to the historic building’s original architectural details.

The 15-story, opulent hotel was constructed in 1929 for a reported $500,000 and held its grand opening in October 1930 as one of the premier luxury accommodations between Fort Worth and El Paso.

It was purchased by the Settles Hotel Development Co. LLC, which was formed to acquire and restore the historic Settles Hotel property. SHDC is owned and managed by Big Spring native, G. Brint Ryan. The hotel is the focal point of a downtown restoration planned for the city of Big Spring.

Criterion Develops Prototype Apts. in Richardson’s Telecom Corridor

Dallas-based Criterion Property Co. LP is developing a Resort Living Series prototype in the Richardson Telecom Corridor with an emphasis on green-building principles.

The Pradera-Luxury Resort Living is comprised of 360 apartment homes with Dallas-based Watermark Construction LP as the general contractor. The complex was designed by CSD Architecture and BGO Architects Inc., both of Dallas.

The buildings have been placed along Greenside Drive, a new four-lane street.

Third Luxury Apartment Tower in Uptown Dallas Opens

Designed by Gromatzky Dupree & Assoc., the nearly completed 1900 McKinney will be the Hanover Co.’s first project to seek LEED certification.

Houston-based developer The Hanover Co. in partnership with MetLife Inc. is nearing completion on Dallas luxury apartment tower 1900 McKinney. Designed by Dallas-based Gromatzky Dupree & Associates, the tower will be The Hanover’s first project to seek LEED certification.

1900 McKinney is the third luxury apartment tower to be completed by Hanover in the Uptown area. The property follows the Ashton, which debuted in 2005, and the recently completed Cirque, which is part of the $3 billion Victory Park district.

Project Manager Hired for Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration

Dealey Herndon of Austin was hired as project manager of the Texas Governor’s Mansion restoration. Herndon will coordinate and oversee activities of architects, engineers, consultants and other contractors in the restoration process. Herndon will oversee awarding of construction contracts and provide general oversight and administration of restoration as needed.

Herndon is a trustee emeritus of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, past president of the Heritage Society of Austin. She served as executive director of the Texas State Preservation Board from 1991 to 1995 during the Capitol Preservation and Extension Project overseeing its $183 million budget.

Komatsu Architecture Designated Architect for New Keller Fire House

Work on Keller Fire Station No. 4 began with the selection of Komatsu Architecture of Fort Worth as the architectural firm for the project. The 11,000-sq-ft facility is expected to be completed by May 2009.

The design will be “contemporary municipal.” Plans include brick veneer with natural stone and stucco and an aerated pond.

Cigna Consolidates Operations in Dallas With Green Headquarters

With its new Dallas-area regional headquarters, CIGNA plans to consolidate employees and operations, which are currently in four separate facilities in the metropolitan area.

Named CIGNA Pointe, the 210,000-sq-ft facility will be a four-story office building, divided into two wings on each floor. Each floor will have about 50,000 sq feet. The sexterior façade of the building is enhanced with brick, aluminum and painted surface as well as a glass curtainwall. The top floor of the building is enriched with a glass and aluminum façade and a taller floor height. The project sits on the northern 13 acres of a 43-acre, master-planned project and is the first building constructed in the development.

Designed by Dallas-based Corgan Associates Inc., the facility will feature a rain-capture roof system, an east-west orientation to minimize direct sun and will be constructed with recycled materials to allow it to be considered a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified building. Fort Worth-based Key Construction is the contractor.

The building is expected to be completed in September.

Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA Begins Construction in January

A rendering of the new Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA, designed by Kirksey, which will seek LEED certification. Tellepsen Builders will build the project for a target completion of fall 2010.

The YMCA of Greater Houston has selected Houston-based Kirksey to be the architect on the new Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA. Kirksey was awarded the project as the result of a design competition and interviews conducted by The Mathis Group Inc., project managers for the YMCA of Greater Houston.

The Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA will encompass approximately 108,000 sq ft of membership and program space. The new facility will be built using sustainable building practices and will pursue Leadership Excellence in Environmental Design certification.

Tellepsen is the namesake for the building and the general contractor selected for the project. The Tellepsen family has been involved with the YMCA since 1910, with four generations serving on the board. Construction is scheduled to begin in January and be complete by fall 2010.

MEDCO Construction Breaks Ground on $212 Million Hospital

Dallas-based Baylor Health Care System and contracor MEDCO Construction of Dallas broke ground recently on a $212 million, 332,000-sq-ft hospital on a 58-acre site in McKinney.

Baylor Medical Center at McKinney will be a 95-bed, four-story hospital and medical office complex with a scheduled completion of November 2010. The main hospital will be built to accommodate 12 floors and more than 400 beds. Dallas-based RTKL Architects is the project’s architect.

Municipal 287-Acre Railroad Park in Lewisville Under Way

Construction on the $21 million Lewisville municipal Railroad Park recenty began with a targeted fall 2009 opening. The development is the largest capital project in the city's history.

Railroad Park will feature 10 soccer fields, four baseball fields, four youth football fields, walking trails, the city's first skate park and first dog park. The park was designed with a railroad theme, including concession stands and other buildings resembling the city's historic railroad station. The design was completed by Dallas-based Dunkin Sims Stoffels and the park is being built by Frisco-based CORE Construction.

THA Design Selected for Center for Childhood Studies

A design for The Center for Childhood Studies at The University of Texas Brownsville/Texas Southmost College, completed by Dallas-based The Early Childhood Studio at THA, a division of t. howard + associates, has been awarded for construction to local based RGV Construction Co. The 17,000-sq-ft facility is scheduled for completion in summer 2009.

Champion Forest Baptist Church Breaks Ground

Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston recently broke ground on three new buildings designed by Studio Red.

Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston broke ground on three new buildings including a 75,000-sq-ft children's building, a 52,000-sq-ft student education building and a 31,000-sq-ft adult education building.

Houston-based Studio RED was hired to design all three buildings with the vision to make the campus as a desirable place for young families and friends to spend time. Outside the buildings, adding to the attraction of the campus, will be sand volleyball courts and a boardwalk-like setting over a new water feature. An outdoor baptismal pool will also be added to the campus.

Valley View Business Center Buildings Complete Next Month

Proterra Properties's new Valley View Business Center Buildings one and four off Valley View in Irving are nearly complete. Halff Associates of Dallas designed the 554,500-sq-ft project which is being constructed by C.D. Henderson Construction Group LLC of Garland for a January completion.

Jaster-Quintanilla Reports Demand Across the State

Dallas-based Jaster-Quintanilla has a number of projects under way across the state. The firm reports structural and civil engineering as well as surveying services in high demand.

Among the projects is a collaboration with Austin-based architectural firm Rhode Partners on the East Avenue mixed-use building. The project is part of the redevelopment of Austin’s old Concordia University campus between IH-35 and The University of Texas.  The new building consists of a 16-story, mixed-use residential tower with one level of below-grade parking. The ground level will consist of retail and office space and a movie theatre. The construction cost is $70 million and scheduled to be completed in 2010. JQ is providing structural engineering services for the project.

 JQ is working with WHR Architects of Houston to expand the existing Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory. The four-story addition contains approximately 80,000 gross sq ft. The construction cost is $26 million. JQ is providing structural and civil engineering services.

JQ is providing structural engineering and land surveying services for the Dallas Water Utilities Indirect Recycled Water project, designed to move 90 million gallons per day based on an annual average of flow from the Trinity River to the North Texas Wetlands near the East Fork of the Trinity River and U.S. 175.

In Fort Worth, the firm is providing structural engineering services for the new Tarrant County Civil Courts Building. The $62.3 million project includes a new five-story building that will house the Tarrant County district clerk and jury services court support functions, and renovations to the Tarrant County Justice Center.

JQ is providing structural and civil engineering and land surveying services for the new $34 million Texas A&M University Liberal Arts and Humanities Building in College Station. The firm is also providing structural and civil engineering services for the $45 million Bexar County Justice Center Expansion design-build project.

IDI Works Two Fort Worth Medical Office Projects

Fort Worth-based Innovative Developers Inc. remodeled one office location and is building a pathology laboratory at another location for Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas.

IDI has started construction of a 1,200-sq-ft pathology lab addition to GANT's existing location. At GANT's location in the Southwest Endoscopy Center, IDI has completed a 1,590-sq-ft remodeling project.

New Residence Inn by Marriott Completed in Beaumont

A new four-story Residence Inn by Marriott opened recently in Beaumont. The 133-room, extended-stay hotel, located on a 2.8-acre site, was designed by Dallas-based Mayse & Associates Inc. for Western International, a Dallas-based developer of hospitality properties.

On-site amenities for the 85,892-sq-ft hotel include an outdoor swimming pool and spa

The project was constructed by EBCO General Contractor Ltd. of Cameron.

Country's First Megachurch Receives Renovation

Houston-based Studio RED was hired to redesign the Houston First Baptist Church sanctuary. The church, which was built in 1977, now has a modern, intimate space for services.

Houston-based Tellepsen Builders began the renovation in late March by demolishing the old, dated interior space back to bare walls. With the new design, the Worship Center has modern sound capabilities and theatrical design capabilities.

Studio RED has recently worked with Tellepsen Builders on six other worship projects including Lakewood Church, Fellowship of The Woodlands campus, Second Baptist Church West, Jersey Village Baptist Church and Champion Forest Baptist Church.

Komatsu Architecture Receives Preservation of Excellence Award

Komatsu Architecture of Fort Worth recently received the Texas Historical Commission 2007 Preservation of Excellence award. The firm completed a renovation of the Highland Park Library, which originally opened in 1930.

The cost of the project was $2.4 million, which was raised from community donors. To restore the original character, the ceilings--which had earlier been dropped--were re-raised, displaying the coffered molding as well as revealing the tops of the arched windows. The interior also features Spanish Moorish tiling throughout the facility from the three fire places to the stair risers and on the floors.

Dallas-based Eyecon was commissioned to paint a mural around the children's room. At each room’s entryway the name of the room is stenciled in calligraphy.

U.S. Army Corps Awards Fort Sam Houston Design-Build Project

Texas Sterling Construction, Co., a subsidiary of Houston-based Sterling Construction Co. Inc., was awarded the $6.4 million W.W. White Road Bridge design-build project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. The project consists of the construction of a new bridge structure over Salado Creek and miscellaneous infrastructure.

Linbeck Completes Sugar Land Hospital and Medical Building

Houston-based Linbeck completed the new St. Luke's Sugar Land Hospital and Medical Office Building at the intersection of Highway 59 and Highway 6 in Lake Pointe Towne Center.

 The five-story, 346,000 sq-ft facility includes a hospital and a medical office building offers full inpatient and outpatient services. The project was developed by Medistar Corp. for St. Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Corp., which is a partnership between St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital System and a group of local physicians.

Linbeck started construction in February of 2007 after working with St. Luke's, Medistar and architect PageSoutherlandPage of Houston for one year to plan and design the project.

Linbeck delivered the project on a fast-track design-build basis. In addition to the new Sugar Land facility, Linbeck is engaged for preconstruction services for the new St. Luke's Patient Care Center in the Texas Medical Center, a 600,000-sq-ft facility adding more than 25 new patient beds with expansion space for an additional 60 beds, 84 PACU beds and 12 operating rooms.