Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month.
Messi Mania in Miami
Want to attract global attention to your American soccer team and build a massive sports complex? Just get yourself one of the world’s best players! When Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF signed Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in July, it brought “Messi Mania” to the Florida metropolis. Bolstered by the deal, Inter Miami CF has since started construction on Miami Freedom Park, a 131-acre development anchored by a new 25,000-seat stadium.
Organization: Inter Miami CF ownership
Location: Miami, Fla.
Type of project: New build/redevelopment of former country club
Size: 131 acres
Estimated cost: N/A
Design-build team: Arquitectonica, Manica, and CAA Icon
Status: Construction started Aug. 23
Expected completion: Initial phase in 2025
Interesting tidbit: In addition to the stadium, the privately funded recreational project will include a new 58-acre public park, community soccer fields, and a full range of entertainment and commercial offerings, including office space, hotels, shops, restaurants, and additional attractions. The stadium and other initial elements will open in 2025, with the rest slated for completion by year-end 2030. Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami CF runs through 2025.
Quote: “In creating a multi-faceted space, we will set a new standard of what sport complexes can be,” said Jorge Mas, managing owner of Inter Miami CF. “We look forward to delivering a food and entertainment destination for families to enjoy year-round. I can’t wait to welcome our fans to our state-of-the-art stadium and hear the chants as Messi and your Inter Miami players take the pitch for the first time in 2025.”
More details available here.
Google Data Center
Google has announced plans to build a $600 million data center in Mesa, Ariz. The facility will help power popular digital services—like Google Search, Gmail, Maps, Google Cloud, and others—for people and organizations worldwide. This represents the tech giant’s first physical presence in Arizona and follows other data center investments in Ohio and Iowa.
Organization: Google
Location: Mesa, Ariz.
Type of project: New build
Size: N/A
Estimated cost: $600 million
Status: Announced Sept. 6
Expected completion: N/A
Interesting tidbit: Google is committed to sustainability, matching 100% of its annual electricity use with renewable energy since 2017 and prioritizing responsible use of natural resources. In line with that approach, the Mesa data center will use state-of-the-art technology to air-cool its systems instead of using water. The company also announced a $150,000 donation for watershed restoration and wildfire risk reduction in the region.
Quote: “We are proud to put down roots in Arizona,” said Joe Kava, VP of data centers at Google. “Not only do data centers help keep digital services up and running for people and businesses, they are economic anchors in the communities where we operate.”
More details available here.
Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and other officials joined the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York to break ground on the $30 million Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute. The event coincided with the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, which goes from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, and the 13th anniversary of the council’s founding.
Organization: Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York
Location: West Buffalo, N.Y.
Type of project: New build
Size: 37,000 square feet
Estimated cost: $30 million
Design-build team: Rodriguez Construction Group and LaBella
Status: Ground broken Sept. 15
Expected completion: In about 18 months
Interesting tidbit: The first center of its kind in upstate New York, the institute will feature a museum, 150-seat performing arts theater, event space, café, media center for radio or TV broadcasts, learning center, and more. The 37,000-square-foot infill development will also make over 10,000 square feet available for lease to small tenants for supplemental revenues from rents, with the rest set aside for community space.
Quote: Council Founder & President Casimiro D. Rodriguez said, “This center will offer our Hispanic and Latino community the opportunity to preserve their history, tell their stories, and share their culture with others.”
More details available here.
Food Waste to Renewable Energy
Divert Inc. has broken ground on its Integrated Diversion and Energy Facility, the first of its kind in Washington state. The new facility will have the capacity to process 100,000 tons of wasted food a year from Washington and Oregon into carbon-negative renewable energy, bringing the region closer to its policy goals to reduce wasted food and greenhouse gas emissions.
Organization: Divert Inc., in partnership with Enbridge Inc.
Location: Longview, Wash.
Type of project: New build
Size: 66,000 square feet
Estimated cost: Over $100 million
Status: Ground broken Sept. 7
Expected completion: 2024
Interesting tidbit: Washington and Oregon combined generate millions of tons of food waste annually, with much of it going to the landfill and emitting harmful methane. By accepting wasted food from retailers and other organizations, this new facility will divert it and use anaerobic digestion technology to turn it into renewable natural gas for carbon-negative energy. Once fully operational, the facility will be able to offset up to 23,000 metric tons of CO2 a year, equivalent to removing 5,000 cars from the road annually.
Quote: Company CEO Ryan Begin said, “This is an important moment for Divert and the Pacific Northwest in driving transformative change for the industry and solidifying our commitment to a waste-free world.”
More details available here.
State-Backed Battery Plant
The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is happening, and Illinois is racing full speed ahead to try and attract EV companies to its state and boost green car adoption. State and local leaders joined Gotion to announce the company’s plan to locate a $2 billion EV lithium battery manufacturing plant in Manteno. Gotion’s decision is bolstered by over half-a-billion dollars in state incentives.
Organization: Gotion
Location: Manteno, Ill.
Type of project: New build
Size: Approximately 150 acres
Estimated cost: $2 billion
Status: Announced Sept. 8
Expected completion: 2024
Interesting tidbit: Gotion’s state incentive package totals $536 million. Through the REV (Reimagining Energy and Vehicles) Illinois program, Gotion will receive $213 million in tax benefits over 30 years. However, the company must invest a minimum of $1.9 billion and create 2,600 full-time jobs with certain wages. Gotion will also be the first recipient of Invest in Illinois funding, receiving $125 million. The fund was signed into law earlier this year to make Illinois more attractive when vying for large projects in highly competitive sectors like clean energy. Furthermore, local authorities awarded Gotion property tax abatement for 30 years.
Quote: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said, “This new facility will be a game-changer in our state’s economy, creating new jobs and showing our continued commitment to making Illinois a renewable energy manufacturing powerhouse.”
More details available here.
Honorable Mentions
- $1.2 Billion LA Clippers Arena
- Addressing Boise State’s Student Housing Shortage
- Convention Center’s New Mixed-Use Development
- Vegas Casino Two Decades in the Making
- Deal for Tampa Bay Rays Ballpark
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.