Discovery Builders, a joint venture helmed by New York City-based Turner Construction, was tapped to build a $200 million education facility for Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, the builder announced on March 26. With design, equipment, relocations and other soft costs, the price of the project will reach $300 million.
Alongside Turner, the JV includes Cleveland-based contractors Next Generation Construction and The AKA Team, as well as Berea, Ohio-based construction staffing firm Adrian Maldonado & Associates.
The 189,000-square-foot, five-story Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building will include wet labs, dry labs and other research space, according to Turner. The ISED will be the university’s first new research structure in more than two decades.
Participation by local firms in multimillion dollar construction contracts has become an increased point of focus both within the industry and nationally. At another JV project where Turner is involved — the Buffalo Bills new NFL stadium in Orchard Park, New York — legislators have pushed for more and easier access to lucrative construction contracts by local firms.
Discovery Builders emphasized the local nature of the partnership on the Case Western Reserve University project in its release.
“Our partnership with Discovery Builders will also enhance our respective companies’ profiles as locally owned businesses capable of working to build outstanding, unique and complex facilities here in our own backyard,” said Adrian Maldonado, the president of Adrian Maldonado & Associates.
To make space for the new complex, Case Western planned to demolish Yost Hall, first erected in 1951, in the summer of 2023. However, the university delayed demolition several times, according to the Case Western Observer. The building is scheduled to be brought down this spring.
The ISED will open in 2026, according to Turner.
