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

NYC Electric Soccer Stadium

Major League Soccer’s (MLS) New York City FC, Turner Construction Co., and city leaders broke ground on Etihad Park, a $780 million, all-electric stadium in the borough of Queens. Fully financed by the sports team, the 25,000-seat facility is poised to become a game-changer for soccer fans and the local community as the first and only dedicated pro soccer stadium in New York City.

Organization: New York City FC
Location: Queens, New York City
Type of project: New build
Size: 610,000 square feet
Estimated cost: $780 million
Build team: Turner Construction Co.
Status: Ground broken Dec. 4
Expected completion: Before 2027 MLS season

Interesting tidbit: Etihad Park will set a new standard as the MLS’s first fully electric stadium in the United States, powered by innovative sustainability features including rooftop solar panels and a water reuse system for pitch irrigation. Designed with fans and community engagement in mind, the stadium will house over 40 private suites, three exclusive clubs, and the City Square, a vibrant plaza for community gatherings and events. The project also integrates retail, dining, and office spaces, creating a dynamic hub in Queens. No new parking will be created for the stadium. Instead, New York City FC will utilize parking at Citi Field on match and event days based on an agreement with the New York Mets.

Quote: New York City FC Vice Chairman Marty Edelman said, “New York City FC committed 10 years ago to build New York City’s first-ever, soccer-specific stadium in the five boroughs, and today’s groundbreaking of Etihad Park in Willets Point, Queens, brings us one step closer to delivering that promise to our fans and our city.”

More details available here.

$3B Hospital Expansion

Cooper University Health Care, a leading academic health center, broke ground on the first phase of a transformative $3 billion expansion of its Health Sciences Campus in Camden, N.J. When complete, Cooper’s “Project Imagine” will mark the largest building investment in Camden County’s history. The ceremony featured New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and four of his predecessors, as well as a special appearance by television icon, South Jersey native, and long-time Cooper supporter Kelly Ripa. Following the event, Ripa made good on a pledge to host a disco-themed party to thank healthcare workers for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organization: Cooper University Health Care
Location: Camden, N.J.
Type of project: New build
Size: N/A
Estimated cost: $3 billion
Build team: Torcon Inc./P. Agnes Inc. joint venture
Status: Ground broken Jan. 28
Expected completion: Phase 1 completed by 2028

Interesting tidbit: Project Imagine will dramatically enhance Cooper’s main campus to meet current and projected demand at Cooper University Hospital and the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. The first phase is a 10-story, 345,000 square-foot hospital tower slated for completion by 2028. Overall, Project Imagine will add three new towers with up to 745 all-private inpatient beds, expanded surgical and interventional capacity, a state-of-the-art emergency department, a bridge connecting to the cancer center, a new regional medical coordination center, and additional surge capacity to bolster New Jersey’s emergency infrastructure.

Quote: Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, co-CEO of Cooper, said, “This project will also empower Cooper’s dedicated, expert physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals to provide patients with the highest quality of care in facilities that match their skills.”

More details available here.

Microgrid for Net-Zero School

The Menasha Joint School District in Wisconsin has partnered with power management company Eaton to build a solar-powered microgrid at its new Maplewood Intermediate/Middle School. The system is expected to be the largest of its kind in the state and help the district save $190,000 in annual energy costs. Scheduled for completion this year, the project aims to achieve net zero energy status and will serve approximately 1,000 students. It also highlights how schools across America are embracing sustainability and making the switch to solar power.

Organization: Menasha Joint School District
Location: Menasha, Wis.
Type of project: New build
Size: 1.3 MW of solar
Estimated cost: N/A
Design-build team: Eaton
Status: Announced Dec. 5
Expected completion: 2025

Interesting tidbit: The district is constructing Maplewood Intermediate/Middle School from the ground-up to provide a modern and sustainable learning environment that utilizes advanced energy conservation strategies and contributes to regional carbon neutrality goals. Eaton is helping the school build a solar-plus-storage microgrid that incorporates 1.3 megawatts (MW) of solar PV panels, energy storage, and natural gas generators to sustainably generate all the energy required for operations and provide carbon-friendly power. Notably, although the school district hopes to cash in on Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits to maximize the project’s value, the fate of the IRA remains uncertain following a new stay from President Donald Trump.

Quote: Brian Adesso, the district’s director of business services, said, “One major goal for the district was to ensure our new facility was an energy-efficient and sustainable model conserving taxpayer dollars and natural resources.”

More details available here.

Construction Management School

The future of the construction workforce is getting even brighter in Idaho! Boise State University has teamed up with contractor Engineered Structures Inc. (ESI) to break ground on the ESI Construction Management Building, a new space that will allow the school to educate more students to fill critical jobs in the state’s thriving construction industry. The facility will provide classrooms, offices, and meeting and laboratory space, and it is being built with considerable support from industry stakeholders. The facility will feature the latest in construction technology and include a 3,300 square-foot high bay with an overhead crane.

Organizations: Boise State University and Engineered Structures Inc.
Location: Boise, Idaho
Type of project: New build
Size: N/A
Estimated cost: N/A
Build team: ESI
Status: Ground broken Jan. 24
Expected completion: N/A

Interesting tidbit: Construction management is the oldest program in Boise State’s College of Engineering. Students serve between two and three internships with local contractors, and the program has a 100% job placement rate. The program was founded in 1978 and had its first graduates in 1980. Since then, it has produced over 1,200 graduates, including 100 women. The building’s 12-person design team is also comprised of all women. The new facility will be the first building on campus to solely use mass timber, an engineered wood product donated by Boise Cascade.

Quote: Dr. Marlene Tromp, Boise State president, said, “When we talk about construction management, what we’re talking about is building. That’s what Boise State does. It builds stronger, more creative, more resilient and smarter people. It builds a stronger, more resilient, and more creative Idaho.”

More details available here.

Honorable Mentions

• MGM Grand’s Room Renovation
• Green High School in Florida
• Mixed-Use Project at Former Casino Site
• University Baseball Clubhouse Backed by MLB Player
• Country’s Largest Underground Substation

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

The post Under Construction: Top Facility Projects of January 2025 appeared first on Facilities Management Advisor.