A stronger Atlas
CHURCHILL — Atlas Software Technologies plans to hire 260 people over the next three years as part of a $15 million expansion of its Pittsburgh headquarters in the Westinghouse Research and Technology Park in Churchill. The state has contributed $510,000 toward the expansion in the form of job creation tax credits, an Opportunity Grant and other funding.
Says Pradeep Walia, Atlas’ CEO: “We remain committed to Pittsburgh and this region. This area is both technologically and culturally outstanding, and we look forward to growing with it.”
Atlas Software Technologies, founded in 1995, is a full-service provider of value-added e-business solutions to clients in the U.S. and globally. It employs 87 at its world headquarters in Pittsburgh.
Recycled glass … plant
SOUTH GREENSBURG — The old Pittsburgh Plate Glass facility in South Greensburg is ready for re-use, thanks to the redevelopment efforts of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. As a result of the renovations, all 240,000 square feet of building space in South Greensburg Commons is ready to lease to businesses.
A cut beyond …
CRANBERRY — Hair salon owner owner Philip Pelusi is expanding his entrepreneurial prowess into Cranberry Township, where he is planning a salon that will feature his trademarked hair services, hair care products, a new cosmetic line and spa services.
The salon, which is being built in Cranberry Commons Mall, is his 11th featuring his Phyto Life Concept, which he says embodies his personal philosophy of architectural design, décor, hair design product development and total body care.
Says Pelusi: “The goal in our new salons is to create a unique environment where each client feels special and pampered, knowing that he or she will get premium hair care.”
A bigger King-dom
NEW CASTLE — King’s Jewelry, said to be the 17th largest jeweler in the country, is adding another store, this time in Waterworks Mall near Fox Chapel.
It is the company’s 46th, following the addition of a store in Findlay Village Mall in April. King’s Jewelry has been operating since 1914 and employs more than 350 people in stores in a four-state area.
Riverfront “groundbricking”
PITTSBURGH — At least 104 additional guests will be able to enjoy Pittsburgh’s riverfronts from rooms being added to the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.
The hotel’s owners are adding 104 guest rooms and eight meeting rooms as part of a $25 million, nine-story addition. The hotel has already completed a makeover of its existing rooms and corridors. The owners kicked off the expansion effort with a “groundbricking” event, in which local dignitaries laid some of the first bricks for the addition.
The big plan
PITTSBURGH — The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) has released its latest 25-year regional transportation and development plan for the nine-county region of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The plan includes $30 billion of planned investment in the region, including $10 billion on economic development, $11.5 billion on the region’s highway system, and $9.4 billion on transit. It also includes attention to bicycle and pedestrian travel, freight movement and the application of advanced technologies to enhance safety and mobility in the region.
For a 12-page summary of the plan, contact the SPC at (412) 391-5590.
FedEx-pansion
MOON TOWNSHIP — FedEx Ground is planning a major addition for its corporate headquarters in Moon Township, and has selected Turner Construction Co. to manage the construction.
The expansion plan calls for a 156,000-square-foot addition, which will cost an estimated $20 million. The construction will add to the company’s existing 350,000-square-foot building. The addition, which will include expanded kitchen and dining areas, an outdoor recreational facility for employees and additional parking, is expected to be completed next summer.
Raising the roof
HAMPTON TOWNSHIP — Burns & Scalo Roofing Co. of Bridgeville is putting a new roof, soffit and fascia on a building that’s part of the $1 million Fridley Field project in Hampton Township.
The contract includes 6,000 square feet of Centria metal roof system, 4,400 square feet of Owens-Corning Prominence shingle roofing, 310 square feet of soffit and 380 linial feet of fascia. The project’s general contractor is Clearview Project Services; the architect is WMB Associates.
Real deal for artificial organs
SOUTH SIDE — The University of Pittsburgh’s McGowan Center for Artificial Organ Development has been given the go-ahead to purchase the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Center from the Pittsburgh Economic and Industrial Development Corp. and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh.
The 45,000-square-foot facility, developed by PEIDC at the South Side Works redevelopment site on the South Side, is a multitenant research and development facility for biomedical and biotechnological enterprises. The McGowan Center has acquired the building to house its academic research laboratories and incubator space for start-up companies engaged in commercial activity. The center had outgrown its location at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering at the Pittsburgh Technology Center and plans to move into the new facility in the spring of 2001.
The McGowan Center is said to be one of the world’s most advanced programs investigating the use of bioengineered artificial organ devices for treating human illness and disease.
Stealth newcomer
CANONSBURG — Stealth Technology Center in Southpointe soon will host TRW Inc. division TRW’s Products and Services.
Cleveland-based TRW, which provides global technology, manufacturing and service, plans to open a regional office for that division, which specializes in IT outsourcing, e-commerce, systems security and systems integration. Among the local projects are an e-commerce system for steel producers and their outside processors, through the American Iron and Steel Institute, and an effort to modernize and integrate Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp.’s business and manufacturing systems via its information technology and telecommunications environment.
The Stealth location is one of five regional data centers slated for completion by TRW.
Here’s to safer and healthier workers
PITTSBURGH — Expect better health and safety for construction workers in the region, thanks to a partnership between the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
In a three-year agreement, ABC has agreed to have its participating contractors voluntarily improve their safety and health program under high-performance guidelines set by the partnership. In return, OSHA will recognize contractors who have established exemplary safety programs. But the agreement doesn’t allow participants to avoid compliance with OSHA safety and health regulations. Contractors who participate in the program and meet its criteria will be named “platinum level” participants.
New digs for XiTech
CARNEGIE — XiTech Corp. is opening a corporate headquarters and training facility in Carnegie.
The company recently broke ground for a four-story, 35,000-square-foot facility that is expected to cost an estimated $4 million. Funding for the building includes $250,000 in job creation tax credits from the Governor’s Action Team and a $1.1 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan. The building was designed by The Design Alliance Architects. General contractor is Tedco Construction Corp. of Carnegie. The building will be ready for occupancy in spring 2001.
XiTech, founded in 1995, provides computer software and networking solutions, consultation and training services.
New caring at Bear Creek
PARKER — Armstrong County has a new assisted living facility, thanks to the owners of the Bear Creek Personal Care Home LLC.
The facility was built at the site of the former Parker Elementary School building and was opened in June.
Even more class
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Washington & Jefferson College is constructing a new classroom facility, dubbed the Howard J. Burnett Center.
The four-story, 64,000-square-foot building will include technology-filled classrooms and specialized program areas and offices, and will house several departments, including economics/business, adult and continuing education and modern languages.
Landau Building Co. of Wexford is the commercial general contractor for the project, which was designed by MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni of Pittsburgh. Highlights of the building include case study rooms that copy the business world’s team/project-based environment, a curriculum library and demonstration classrooms.
Says Brian Mitchell, Ph.D., president of W&J College: “The Burnett Center will profoundly change the way teaching and learning take place at W&J, encouraging students and faculty to become innovators by using technology to develop creative solutions for regional, national and international challenges.”
