News Briefs

Bechtel to oversee Ground Zero. Oversight of the recovery operation at the World Trade Center site was expected to be transferred to San Francisco-based Bechtel Group in November, reducing the role of the New York City Design and Construction Department on the $2.5 billion project. Construction workers at Ground Zero were reportedly skeptical of the construction company assuming management duties of the cleanup operation because of its tendency to use nonunion workers. Concern also was expressed that the management change may lead to a de-emphasis on recovery in favor of faster removal of the 1.2 million tons of debris. Contractor Bovis Lend Lease also reportedly submitted a proposal to manage the project.

School sells naming rights to gym. First professional sports venues, now an elementary school gym? A Brooklawn, N.J., elementary school has sold the naming rights to its gymnasium in exchange for $100,000 over 20 years. The ShopRite of Brooklawn Gymnasium, which is scheduled for completion next fall, will bear the name of the only grocery store in the blue-collar town of 2,000, near Philadelphia.