People often (correctly) argue that understanding of design-build has evolved. No longer must we explain what design-build is; instead we must explain and describe “What’s next?” and “Where do we go from here?” We hope to do that month after month in DATELINE, and this issue reflects design-build’s evolution as few others can.
With sport, recreation and educational facilities as this month’s focus, DATELINE is giving tribute where tribute is due. We kick off this month with a look at two of the newest design-build stadium projects: the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey and the Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
These two facilities represent new stadium construction, and they serve as an introduction to our special look at sport and recreation facilities across the country. All design-build projects, these are some of the top facilities in the world, and they serve as an eye opener for those unfamiliar with design-build’s scope.
We included many facilities in this year’s special section, and we know we didn’t get them all. But we look forward to highlighting the many new such projects in the years to come. These projects continue to be the focus of admiration across the country, and one of the main reasons is that design-build gets them done and gets them done right.
Following that section, we take a close look at a site in The Bronx near Yankee Stadium, just north of Manhattan. The new Metro-North Railroad project is a challenge that illustrates how design-build really can work within the confines, congestion and non-stop activity of the nation’s largest city.
Our second big highlight of the issue is our “Education Extra.” First we explore new and unique student housing at two Florida universities. The modern amenities now possible in student housing are remarkable, and they’re changing the look of the typical college campus.
Another addition to our education coverage is a new education project out west. Often plagued by impediments in California, design-build is coming on under a new state law. “Legal Opportunities” takes a look at the largest school project yet attempted under the law.
We keep expanding DATELINE’s scope and try to give readers a comprehensive view of our monthly topics. If you have any suggestions about where you would like DATELINE to go in the coming months, please contact me at cprawdzik@dbia.org.
Christopher Prawdzik
Editor, Design-Build DATELINE
Correction: The editorial calendar misidentified an upcoming conference issue in last month’s DATELINE. Our next conference issue is the October 2008 DATELINE.