Johnston: Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl Expansion

[Mototail]

Since the space isn't quite narrowed down to where everything will be:

Pioneer hopes to expand, add 160 employees

The largest part of the expansion is a planned $9.5 million renovation and expansion of the Krug Building at Pioneer's Johnston campus to accommodate growth in its corn research and development activities. The company also plans a 25,000-square-foot expansion to the Reid laboratory building in Johnston, as well as expansions at its Ankeny and Dallas Center facilities. Each of the projects would be completed by 2012.

This is good news when/if things become final.

http://businessrecord.com/main.asp?Sect ... cleID=8951" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DMRyan]

Been a while since there's been job news this large in the DSM area.

From KCCI.com

Pioneer Proposes Expansion In Johnston

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Pioneer Hi-Bred International is proposing a $154 million expansion near the seed company's main campus in Johnston that would create over 400 jobs in the next three years.

Pioneer declined to comment on the project on Monday. Documents filed with the Iowa Department of Economic Development show the company proposes selecting a developer to construct a building on 14 acres at a cost of $39 million. Pioneer would lease the facility.

The company also plans to spend $115 million on research and development.

Construction would begin later this year and be completed in 2012.

The Iowa Economic Development Board is to consider the project on Thursday.

http://www.kcci.com/money/22852174/detail.html

[econboy]

Very welcome news!!

If all goes well there will be a total of 500 high paying jobs being created in the metro.

While things are different than a few years ago, this type of thing tends to be a 'momentum changer'. You then see related industries or other companies taking the leap and hiring a bit more. Hopefully this will cause that process to speed up.

[Mastermind]

So will this be directly East of John Deere Credit (north side of 62nd Ave). This will go a long way into making 86th street fully developed up to 70th Ave.

[GlacialTill]

The planned buildings will be built on the parcel of land directly east of John Deere, but likely much closer to Beaver Creek and well east of 86th Street.

However if things go well this is probably just the start of development on this parcel of land.

[Mastermind]

So this facility will cost $40 million. 3 buildings with 400 jobs and an average of $100,000 per job.

[DMRyan]

That's awesome. For anyone that thinks that DSM is just "cubicle farms" and back offices for financial and insurance companies, you missed the part about a significant tech and biotech employment base here, and it seems to be growing at a good clip.

[DMRyan]

This quote from the Register about the company's growth impressed me. Nearly 1,000 jobs added in a period of 4-5 years.:

Schickler said Pioneer has been growing rapidly in central Iowa, adding 500 jobs and 130,000 square feet of office and laboratory space over the past two years. In addition to Thursday's news, Pioneer has under way a $14.5 million expansion in Johnston that will add nearly 100 jobs.

The company employs 2,900 Iowans. Altogether, Pioneer employs 9,500 people worldwide.

[hawk61401]

That's awesome. For anyone that thinks that DSM is just "cubicle farms" and back offices for financial and insurance companies, you missed the part about a significant tech and biotech employment base here, and it seems to be growing at a good clip.

Iowa State University's bioinformatics center is on par with Stanford. This is an oldie but a good read about biotech in Iowa and the midwest. http://pubs.acs.org/cen/employment/8208 ... yment.html

[Mastermind]

It looks like they have upped the building sq footage to 200,000 sq feet which should give it significant height for a suburban building.

[DMRyan]

I forgot about this. Largest office project under construction in the metro now that Aviva and Wellmark are largely wrapped up.

[Mastermind]

On the P&Z agenda. City code calls for 700+ parking spaces however they are requesting that it be limited to 500+ 1 spot for each employee.

LOL, this is the best rendering i could find

[econboy]

We are very fortunate to have a project like this starting up right now in the metro with the economy as it is. Pioneer and Microsoft will be rolling along while many other cities are scrapping for anything.

[Mastermind]

I will be very interested to see these renderings. In the last P&Z minutes, it says that the building is not subject to the 50% brick requirement since it sits 300+ feet from NW 62 Ave. It goes on to state that the building will be made out of precast concrete and architectural metal panels.
Completion is set for DECEMBER 2011!

[Mastermind]

They are moving right along. Site preparation is well underway.

[Mastermind]

They already have 2 stories worth of steel up! Not sure if they still plan on multiple buildings, no idea on the planned height either. I havent seen any decent renderings. Anyone have anything to add here?

[DMRyan]

I've searched the web pretty hard and found nothing that provides anymore details on what the project will look like. Mastermind, since you're our resident Johnston expert, can you see if there's a project board on the construction site that lists the contractor, architect, etc.? This may be helpful in trying to track down renderings. Also, since I'm about as far away from Johnston as you could get in the metro, we're counting on you for photos.

[Mastermind]

I will do my best. I know Ryan Companies will own the buildings and lease the space to Pioneer. this is probably why there will be multiple buildings rather than 1.

[Mastermind]

At this point there is only 1 building being built. Looks like its only 2 stories also.

[DMRyan]

That would fit well with the exciting architecture of the existing campus...



I think Johnston is in a race with Ankeny to see who can build a building taller than 3 stories.

[Mastermind]

Well, this location in particular is in the Beaver creek natural resource area, so it is kind of a good thing. i have a few snapshots, but i cant find my stupid Sony adapter. Damn Sony...

[Mastermind]

Apparently, Pioneer will be applying for TIF credits to renovate 5-6 buildings adjacect to its greenhouses. The project is estimated at $48 million, however some of that money includes equipment.
138 NEW Jobs will be created

[econboy]

Thats in addition to the 400 new jobs with this new building project?

If so thats 538 new jobs announced in just the last year by Pioneer in Johnston alone. Pretty good.

[Mastermind]

Thats in addition to the 400 new jobs with this new building project?

If so thats 538 new jobs announced in just the last year by Pioneer in Johnston alone. Pretty good.

Yes, in addition to the 400

[DMRyan]

An excerpt about the latest Pioneer expansion is in today's Register. Pioneer seems to be growing as fast as anybody around here lately.

Pioneer Hi-Bred is weighing a $147 million expansion that could bring nearly 140 jobs to its Johnston campus.

The Iowa Economic Development Board, which meets Thursday, will consider providing Pioneer with tax credits for the project. The amount of the proposed credits was unavailable Tuesday afternoon.

Pioneer is weighing spending $32 million to build offices and upgrade and expand the greenhouses used to rapidly develop new corn seeds. The seed company also would spend $115 million on research and development.

Nearly a year ago, Pioneer announced it would add 400 jobs with a $154 million expansion of its plant genetics research. That project received an estimated $7 million in state tax credits.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... ax-credits

[Mastermind]

They started putting up the precast panels. Im not too optomistic on the look...

[Mastermind]

These were taken on 1/4/2011. Finally found my memory stick. Not the greatest pictures, but hopefully i can snap a few more in the near future.

[Mastermind]

Here are a few more taken today. Pictures are taken from 62nd Ave looking north. I'll wait for the finished product before i pass judgement, but im not really a fan of the precast concrete panels. I believe the plan is to add the aluminum siding stuff (not sure on the correct name). There does seem to be a lot of windows though, which i like.

[DMRyan]

Thanks for the updates Mastermind. That pre-cast paneling sure does go up quick.

I'm amazed renderings aren't more public at this point, but I hope they choose to treat that pre-cast with additional building materials. Painted pre-cast has an almost modern day industrial park feel to it rather than a high quality corporate office.

[Mastermind]

It goes on to state that the building will be made out of precast concrete and architectural metal panels.

Not sure if these panels will cover the precast concrete or compliment it.