Building Briefs
Information on the latest construction projects from the Northeast, Southeast, Rocky Mountains and Pacific regions.
Read More Virginia School Earns Gold Certification
ARLINGTON, Va. — The new Washington-Lee High School, a public school in Arlington County, recently received LEED Gold certification — the second public school project in the state to do so.
McDonough Bolyard Peck Inc. of Fairfax, Va., provided construction management for the $85 million replacement. Grimm + Parker Architects of McLean, Va., provided design services, and Hess Construction Co. was the contractor.
Voters Pass $4.66 Billion for School Projects
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Voters in Washington recently approved $4.66 billion in maintenance and operations levies for school construction, as well as $507 million in bond issues and $816 million in capital projects.
The ratification of funds is good news for construction companies in Washington during a period when construction spending across the country is at its lowest in seven years.
Calif. Introduces Mandatory Green Building Code
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is the first state to introduce mandatory green building standards after a new policy was created to achieve a statewide goal of 33 percent renewable energy use by 2020 and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and water use.
LEED Silver in Kansas
OLATHE, Kan. — The new $10.5 million Woodland Elementary School was awarded LEED Silver certification, making it the first educational facility in the state to achieve that environmental designation.
Read More School Damaged by Katrina Reopens
NEW ORLEANS — The recently renovated Joseph A. Craig Elementary School opened for classes in January for the first time since 2007.
The school was designed for LEED Silver certification, but administrators decided not to pursue the designation. Green features of the renovated school include high-efficiency mechanical and energy management systems, insulated windows and doors, pervious concrete, low-VOC paints, and other items.
School Procurement
This is a historic period for players in the school construction sector. There is now an abundance of funding available to make improvements to the physical plants and facilities at our nation’s schools. The race is on for districts and various entities to reach out and qualify for this money.
Read More 
Bundle Green Retrofits
Over the past year, I’ve met with school districts from across the country. I continue to find that the challenges these districts face are incredibly similar.
ISU Expansion Awarded Platinum Certification
AMES, Iowa — The King Pavilion addition to the Iowa State University College of Design was awarded LEED Platinum certification, marking the first higher education facility in the state to reach the pinnacle of the LEED system.
The $6.6 million, 27,735-square-foot facility houses instructional studios used by freshman and sophomores enrolled in architecture, landscape architecture and interior design.