Projects awarded

The University of Arizona is addressing the shortage of research space on its Tucson campus in a big way. The university recently commenced construction of two new facilities: the 168,000-sf Institute for Biomedical Science and Biotechnology and a 136,000-sf medical research building. Both structures were designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Portland. Providence, R.I.-based Gilbane Building Co. is the general contractor on the biomedical facility; Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Greeley, Colo., is GC for the medical building.

As part of an effort to revitalize downtown Raleigh, N.C., the city announced plans to construct the 495,000-sf North Carolina Convention Center. A joint venture of Skanska USA Building Inc., Parsippany, N.J., and Barnhill Contracting Co., Tarboro, N.C., will construct the three-story facility, which is expected to break ground this July and be completed in the summer of 2007.

Washington, D.C.-based contractor Tompkins Builders Inc., a subsidiary of Dallas-based Turner Corp., has been named general contractor for the $55 million Capitol Hill Towers/Marriott Courtyard in Washington, D.C. The project consists of two 14-story towers with a shared parking garage.

Closed since being ravaged by a hurricane in 1992, the venerable Coco Palms Hotel in Kuai, Hawaii, soon may rise from its ruins. Phoenix-based DLR Group will work in collaboration with owner Coco Palms LLC and Architect Hawaii to manage the renovation and reconstruction of the soon-to-be resurrected resort, which opened in 1953 and was featured in popular movies such as Elvis Presley's "Blue Hawaii" in 1961. Public areas, including a seaside restaurant, will be restored while two phases of construction will add 204 timeshare guest units and 82 hotel cottages and suites.