MTSU science building design begins

Design development by Thomas, Miller & Partners LLC/Hastings Architecture Associates LLC - Joint Venture has begun on the new $100 million science building for Middle Tennessee State University, located in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

In order to provide more modern facilities and meet the ever growing student population, the new science building will be nearly 254,000 sq ft and house more than 60 labs and classrooms, as well as faculty offices for the biology and chemistry departments.

Sustainable design and project Kaleidoscope principles are being incorporated into the design of this building creating more energy efficiencies, increasing adaptability for new technologies and fostering a more collaborative teaching environment between students and faculty. Construction start is expected in July.

JE Crains gets Hilton Garden Inn contract in Nashville

JE Crain & Son Inc. of Nashville, Tenn., has been awarded the construction contract to for the new Hilton Garden Inn in Nashville. The hotel is to be constructed near downtown and will supply Nashville with 192 rooms throughout nine levels. A three-level parking garage will be constructed adjacent to the hotel.

With the recently completed seven-level, 154-room downtown Hampton Inn & Suites, Crain continues to be a leader in hospitality construction for Middle Tennessee. Currently, Crain is working on the five-level, 108-room Hampton Inn of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., and the upscale six-level, 143-room aloft hotel in Franklin, Tenn.

JE Crain & Son serves the southeast region for retail, office and industrial projects.

Johnson & Galyon to begin multiple projects

Johnson & Galyon of Knoxville, Tenn., has been selected to begin work on a $5 million renovation and addition to Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville, with groundbreaking slated for spring.

J&G has also been selected for an $8 million addition and renovation to Fountain City United Methodist Church in Knoxville. It is also slated to begin construction next spring. J&G has completed construction on the $64 million St. Mary’s Medical Center North project, which is now open to the public in North Knoxville.

The 72-bed hospital also has space for more beds to be added at a later date.

Robins & Morton breaks ground on $56 million addition, renovation project

The Nashville Division of Robins & Morton, one of the nation’s largest healthcare construction firms, recently broke ground on a $56 million addition and renovation project at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin, Tenn.

The project consists of 200,000 sq ft in additions and 20,000 sq ft of renovation work. The construction includes a seven-story tower addition, emergency room, operating room, imaging facility and new patient rooms. Gresham Smith and Partners is the architect on the project, which is scheduled to complete in May 2009.