Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month.
Yosemite Water Plant Upgrade
Yosemite National Park is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world, and having clean water helps keep it that way. To address extensive maintenance issues and build more sustainable infrastructure, the park has broken ground on the new El Portal Wastewater Treatment Plant. The $239 million project will replace a 45-year-old facility, which is the National Park Service’s largest such plant and serves as the sole treatment system for Yosemite Valley, El Portal, and nearby communities in California.
Organization: Yosemite National Park
Location: El Portal, Calif.
Type of project: New build
Size: N/A
Estimated cost: $239 million
Status: Ground broken July 24
Expected completion: 2029
Interesting tidbit: The project is expected to address approximately $156 million in deferred maintenance and repair needs across the outdated wastewater system, which is deteriorating and provides insufficient treatment capacity. Replacement components are tough to procure or no longer manufactured for the existing plant, thus increasing the likelihood of environmental damage and incurring costly emergency repairs. Incorporating automation and other tech advancements, the modernized facility will treat up to 1 million gallons of wastewater per day.
Quote: Acting Superintendent Ray McPadden said, “This project is essential to the continued protection of public health and the environment, and also to the future of visitor services and park operations in Yosemite.”
More details are available here.
Country’s Tallest Mass Timber Building
Mass timber, a durable and sustainably engineered wood product, is becoming increasingly popular in green construction. Case in point, real estate developer Neutral has broken ground on Neutral Edison, a multi-use project that the firm touts as the largest mass timber building in the United States. Located in downtown Milwaukee, the 31-story building will feature 350 residential apartments, approximately 7,200 square feet of retail space, and numerous amenities.
Organization: Neutral
Location: Milwaukee
Type of project: New build
Size: 31 stories
Estimated cost: N/A
Status: Ground broken June 16
Expected completion: 2027
Interesting tidbit: The project blends exposed mass timber with natural materials and state-of-the-art ventilation systems. According to the developer, the materials are estimated to reduce the embodied carbon footprint and energy consumption by over 45% compared to conventional buildings of the same typology and use. The project will pursue Passive House certification following the PHIUS 2021 Core Standard for energy-efficient buildings, as well as the Living Building Challenge 4.0. Core Certification.
Quote: Neutral Partner and Chief Product Officer Daniel Glaessl said, “Using mass timber technology in conjunction with a low-carbon, high-performing envelope, Neutral Edison sets a new standard for sustainable building design and construction practices.”
More details are available here.
New Facility for History
All aboard! Train enthusiasts rejoice. The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) are moving full steam ahead to build a new 16,000-square-foot, six-stall roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, a Smithsonian Affiliate. The facility project aims to further preserve the state’s rich railroad heritage.
Organizations: PHMC and DGS
Location: Strasburg, Pa.
Type of project: New build
Size: 16,000 square feet
Estimated cost: N/A
Design-build team: Erdy McHenry Architecture and eciConstruction
Status: Ground broken July 29
Expected completion: Early 2027
Interesting tidbit: The new roundhouse will feature a classic fan-shaped layout, incorporating brick, steel, and glass, along with a clerestory-style roof for natural lighting. Once completed, it will provide a climate-controlled environment for the long-term preservation and exhibition of six Pennsylvania Railroad historic steam locomotives, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The facility will also include a hard-surface, ADA-accessible pathway for easy visitor access and ample space for viewing and photographing exhibits.
Quote: PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery said, “This project is about more than bricks and mortar; it’s about preserving the stories and engineering marvels that helped to shape and build our commonwealth.”
More details are available here.
Green Campus Addition
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) began construction on its new Chemistry and Applied Mathematics (CHAP) facility—a project dedicated to furthering the university’s commitment to research excellence, sustainability, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As the new home to two science departments, the building will feature modern laboratories, a 237-seat auditorium, space for future quantum research, and more.
Organization: CU Boulder
Location: Boulder, Colo.
Type of project: New build
Size: 139,000 square feet
Estimated cost: $175.43 million
Status: Ground broken June 16
Expected completion: Summer 2027
Interesting tidbit: The CHAP project is designed to be one of the most energy-efficient research buildings in CU Boulder’s history, with sustainability features including cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction, provisions to accommodate CU’s future low-temperature hot water systems, and alignment with the Buy Clean Colorado Act for eco-friendly materials. The project is also expected to alleviate pressure on existing campus facilities; once the departments relocate to their new home, vacated spaces will be repurposed to benefit other academic units.
Quote: Chancellor Justin Schwartz said, “This groundbreaking represents more than just the start of construction—it’s the beginning of a new era for STEM education and research at CU Boulder.”
More details are available here.
Honorable Mentions
- $50B AstraZeneca Investment
- Net-Zero Marriott Hotel
- Memphis International Airport Modernization
- First County-Run ‘Biochar’ Facility
- McLaren’s U.S. Supercar Processing Center
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.