Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month.

$10B Meta Data Center

Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, is building a massive $10 billion artificial intelligence (AI) data center in northeast Louisiana. At 4 million square feet, the facility will be the largest of more than 20 Meta data centers around the world. The facility will be built in Richland Parish and is expected to be an economic boon for the state, resulting in 500 or more direct new jobs, more than 1,000 indirect jobs, and 5,000 construction workers at peak.

Organization: Meta
Location: Richland Parish, La.
Type of project: New build
Size: 4 million square feet
Estimated cost: $10 billion
Build team: Turner Construction Co., DPR Construction, and M. A. Mortenson
Status: Announced Dec. 4
Expected completion: Through 2030

Interesting tidbit: The rapid rise of AI is creating “unprecedented demand” for energy-hungry data centers. With sustainability in mind, Meta has pledged to match the data center’s electricity use with 100% clean energy and is partnering with Entergy Louisiana to bring at least 1,500 MW of new renewable energy to the power grid. As part of a commitment to water stewardship, Meta has also pledged to restore more water than it consumes at the data center by investing in water restoration projects in the state.

Quote: Kevin Janda, Meta director of data center strategy, said, “Richland Parish in Louisiana is an outstanding location for Meta to call home for a number of reasons. It provides great access to infrastructure, a reliable grid, a business-friendly climate, and wonderful community partners that have helped us move this project forward.”

More details available here.

State’s First Veterinarian College

Great news for animals in South Carolina! Clemson University has broken ground on its Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine, the first veterinarian college in the state. Located across the street from the university’s Equine Center, the $285 million project comprises six buildings designed to provide students with spaces for collaboration, hands-on learning, and personal growth. The new college is in the process of earning accreditation and is expected to welcome its first class of students in fall 2026.

Organization: Clemson University
Location: Pendleton, S.C.
Type of project: New build
Size: Six buildings
Estimated cost: Reportedly $285 million
Design team: LS3P and Flad
Status: Ground broken Nov. 22
Expected completion: Fall 2026

Interesting tidbit: The college will help address a critical shortage of veterinarians in the state. A third of South Carolina counties have fewer than five veterinarians, and 48% of the state’s counties have fewer than 10 veterinarians. While qualified candidates are applying to veterinary colleges, 500-1,000 are not admitted due to a capacity shortage at existing schools. The new college honors Harvey S. Peeler Jr., a Clemson University alumnus who has served as a state senator since 1980. As a cattle farmer in his hometown, Peeler has experienced first-hand the need for large and small animal veterinarians in the state and was a key project champion.

Quote: Peeler said, “This is not just about education—it is about taking care of our animals, supporting our farmers, growing our economy, and filling the need for veterinarians in South Carolina.”

More details available here.

$1.5B Airport Terminal

Tampa International Airport (TPA) has broken ground on Airside D, the Florida airport’s first new terminal in nearly 20 years. At about 600,000 square feet, the $1.5 billion project will also be TPA’s largest terminal once it’s completed. Airside D will add 16 gates and feature two levels plus a mezzanine for two airline lounges, a spacious international passenger arrival processing area, glass boarding bridges to allow views of the airfield for travelers, and new shopping and dining locations.

Organization: Tampa International Airport
Location: Tampa, Fla.
Type of project: New build
Size: ~600,000 square feet
Estimated cost: $1.5 billion
Design-build team: Hensel Phelps, HNTB Corp., and Gensler
Status: Ground broken Dec. 18
Expected completion: 2028

Interesting tidbit: The facility will be built to the northwest of TPA’s main terminal. The space once was the home of the original Airside D, which existed when the airport opened in 1971. That outdated facility was closed and demolished in 2007. Since then, the space has been used by airlines to park planes overnight. The new facility is a centerpiece project of Phase 3 of TPA’s Master Plan, a blueprint for how the airport will deal with projected traveler growth. The new terminal will help TPA, which currently serves an estimated 25 million passengers annually, serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037.

Quote: Florida Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue said, “Airside D is a shining example of how we lead in infrastructure and continue to build world-class facilities that support the growth of the state of Florida.”

More details available here.

Topped-Out Healthcare Campus

Reid Health recently joined partners Skanska and Shook Construction for a topping-out ceremony for the health system’s new $100 million campus in Connersville, Ind. This milestone marked the placement of the final beam on the two-story, 106,715-square-foot facility, which will replace Reid Health’s outdated campus built over a century ago. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition in construction, symbolizing progress and achievement in reaching the highest point of the structure.

Organization: Reid Health
Location: Connersville, Ind.
Type of project: New build
Size: 106,715 square feet
Estimated cost: $100 million
Build team: Skanska and Shook Construction
Status: Topped out on Dec. 18
Expected completion: 2026

Interesting tidbit: The new campus represents a transformative investment in healthcare for Fayette County. Once complete, the facility will include a modern emergency department, radiology and lab services, and a wide range of primary and specialty care options, including cardiology, OB/GYN, and oncology. With over 400 parking spaces and the county’s first helipad in 30 years, the campus will significantly enhance healthcare accessibility and economic growth in the region.

Quote: Craig Kinyon, president and CEO of Reid Health, said, “The Connersville and Fayette County communities have significant health needs, and this new facility will help us to meet those needs for many years to come.”

More details available here.

Honorable Mentions

• Mixed-Use Development at Old State Prison
• Solar for All-Electric Medical Campus
• Entertainment District’s Soccer Stadium
• Henrietta Lacks Building at Johns Hopkins
• New Terminal for Busy Airport

Do you have a major project announcement you’d like considered for the “Under Construction” series? Please contact Editor Joe Bebon at [email protected].

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