Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month.
Buffalo Bills Stadium
Several NFL teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons, recently announced facility projects. But one of the biggest and most highly anticipated project updates was the official ground breaking of the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium. The New York governor, team owner, and NFL commissioner joined other officials to kick off construction on the $1.54 billion, 60,000-seat facility.
Organizations: Buffalo Bills, NFL, New York State, et al.
Location: Orchard Park, N.Y.
Type of project: New build
Size: 1.35 million gross square feet
Estimated cost: $1.54 billion
Design-build team: Legends, Populous, 34 Group, and Gilbane | Turner
Status: Ground broken June 5
Expected completion: 2026
Interesting tidbit: The stadium marks the largest economic development project in Western New York history, with an estimated 30-year economic impact of $1.6 billion and the creation of 10,000 union construction jobs. The open-air stadium will be built across from the existing Highmark Stadium, which was built in 1973, and includes several major improvements. For example, it will add weather control features, including extensive radiant heating and a canopy that covers 65% of seats, to provide protection from inclement weather.
Quote: Buffalo Bills Owner Terry Pegula said, “Congratulations, Bills fans. We all know the Bills are the only team that actually physically plays in the state of New York, and we’re very proud of that. The stadium we will build will not only be a new home for our players and coaches, but also for our fans. This stadium is a public, private, NFL, and I call it, a fan partnership.”
More details available here.
Safe Haven for LGBTQ+ Seniors
As the country celebrated Pride Month in June, work was underway on a new Dallas facility dedicated to being a safe haven for LGBTQ+ senior citizens. The Resource Center, a nonprofit offering services for the LGBTQ+ community and people affected by HIV and AIDS, is building a 100% affordable senior housing complex called Oak Lawn Place.
Organization: Resource Center
Location: Dallas, Texas
Type of project: New build
Size: 84 units
Estimated cost: $31 million
Design-build team: Matthews Southwest and Spring Valley Construction Co.
Status: Ground broken May 12
Expected completion: Summer 2024
Interesting tidbit: The 84-unit apartment complex will be available to all seniors 55 and older, while prioritizing the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. The apartments will be income-restricted to those earning between 30% and 60% of the area median family income. The five-story building will include a lobby, community room, mail room, conference/dining room, kitchen, fitness room, and business center.
Quote: Explaining the need for such a facility, Resource Center CEO Cece Cox said, “Many have struggled to live in a world that has been hostile to them most of their lives. Because we could not marry, we have fewer financial assets than heterosexuals. We do not have the same support networks—a biological family and children who can take care of us as we age. We have neglected our health because we have had humiliating and discriminatory encounters with medical providers. The list goes on.”
More details available here.
Walmart Beef Plant
As part of Walmart’s plans to establish an end-to-end supply chain for Angus beef, the retail giant is building its first-ever fully owned and operated case-ready beef facility. The Kansas facility will create over 600 permanent jobs and will package and distribute a selection of Angus cuts, such as steaks and roasts, to be sold in Walmart stores across the Midwest.
Organization: Walmart
Location: Olathe, Kan.
Type of project: New build
Size: 330,000 square feet
Estimated cost: $257 million
Design-build team: McCownGordon Construction
Status: Announced June 13; breaks ground later this year
Expected completion: 2025
Interesting tidbit: Walmart first announced its ambitions to create an end-to-end supply chain for Angus beef in 2019, with the goal of increasing transparency for customers and boosting capacity to meet demand. Since then, the company has made numerous strides, with the opening of a beef plant operated by FPL Foods in 2020 and its equity investment in Sustainable Beef LLC last year.
Quote: David Baskin, Walmart’s senior vice president of deli, meat, and seafood, said, “At Walmart, enhancing quality is integral to how we innovate.”
More details available here.
Statewide Overhaul of Highway Facilities
As part of a statewide improvement plan, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has broken ground on a project to reconstruct the Black River Welcome Center. Located on I-64 eastbound, the new welcome center will feature design elements and interactive exhibits that highlight southern Indiana, as well as the boyhood home of President Abraham Lincoln.
Organization: INDOT
Location: Posey County, Ind.
Type of project: Rebuild
Size: N/A
Estimated cost: $39.9 million
Design-build team: Garmong Construction Services
Status: Ground broken June 8
Expected completion: 2025
Interesting tidbit: INDOT is executing a 10-year plan to improve interstate rest areas and welcome centers statewide to modernize facilities, construct new buildings, and improve parking for both passenger vehicles and large trucks. When completed, INDOT’s improvement plan is projected to add more than 1,100 semi-trailer parking spaces to facilities statewide. INDOT plans call for an investment of over $600 million in improvements to 21 rest areas and welcome centers by the end of fiscal year 2030.
Quote: INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith said, “This new facility will give visitors a place to rest, recharge, and learn more about the local history in southern Indiana.”
More details available here.
GM Investments
Major automaker GM is putting the pedal to the metal for domestic manufacturing, with the Detroit-based company recently announcing a host of new investments in its U.S. facilities. That includes more than $1 billion in two of its Flint, Mich., manufacturing sites; more than $500 million in its Arlington, Texas, assembly plant; and $632 million in its Fort Wayne, Ind., assembly plant. The investments will support production of future internal combustion engine (ICE) light- and heavy-duty trucks and full-size SUVs.
Organization: GM
Location: Flint, Mich.; Arlington, Texas; and Fort Wayne, Ind.
Type of project: Renovations
Estimated cost: Over $2.13 billion
Status: Announced throughout June
Expected completion: N/A
Interesting tidbit: These announcements bring GM’s U.S. manufacturing and parts distribution facility investment commitments to more than $31.6 billion since 2013. The company has more than 50 assembly, stamping, propulsion, and component plants and parts distribution centers nationwide.
Quote: Gerald Johnson, EVP of global manufacturing and sustainability, said the new investments reflect GM’s commitment to its valued customers and the efforts of its dedicated facility workers.
More details available here.
Honorable Mentions
- ‘Moonshot’ Facility Projects for USC Athletics
- New Balance Factory Expansion
- Dartmouth Arts Center
- Pratt & Whitney Hub for Military Engines
- 2.5 Million Sq. Ft. Mega Factory in Georgia
Do you have a major project announcement you’d like considered for the “Under Construction” series? Please contact Editor Joe Bebon at JBebon@BLR.com.