Trump lowers his sights. Representatives of Donald Trump who briefed Chicago officials last month say the New York developer wants to construct a 78-story, mixed-use building on the current site of the seven-story Chicago Sun-Times Building. Although the 2.1 million-sq.-ft., 1,073-ft.-tall tower would be Chicago's fourth tallest, it would not be the world's tallest, as Trump indicated when he announced the project last summer. Trump hopes to begin construction of the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill-designed building in 2003, and complete construction by 2005. He still must submit a formal application for the project to the City of Chicago.
Design/build makes headway in private sector. The percentage of nonresidential projects that utilize design/build delivery continues to increase, most notably medical, commercial and sports/recreation facilities, according to a survey conducted by Natick, Mass.-based market research firm ZweigWhite. Design/build delivery for medical facilities increased from 15 percent in 1997 to 46 percent this past year. For commercial buildings, the numbers grew from 37 percent to 45 percent, and design/build use for sports and recreational facilities increased even more dramatically from just 6 percent in 1997 to 38 percent in 2000. For more information on this survey, visit www.zweigwhite.com.
Ship doesn't sail for port. The U.S. economy may have embarked on a recession, but the Port of Stockton (Calif.) is betting that its ship will come in with improved and expanded shipping and rail operations and new industrial and commercial development. The port's acquisition of Rough and Ready Island from the U.S. Navy has made the expansion plans possible. Rental income from part of the former base's 5 million square feet of warehouses and other facilities provides a strong financial underpinning for the project.
