Over the weekend, the University took a major step toward the construction of its highly anticipated new basketball arena.
In a meeting Saturday in Prince George County, the University's Board of Visitors' executive committee approved the hiring of two architectural firms to work on the project. VMDO Architects, P.C. of Charlottesville will be the primary design architect for the arena. Ellerbe Becket of Minneapolis will serve as a consultant.
"We are extremely excited, pleased and grateful to be in this position to help create what I think is one of the University's most significant projects," VMDO principal Robert Moje said. "It's euphoria."
After conducting interviews, an interview panel recommended the VMDO and Ellerbe Becket team for the project to the executive committee. Three other finalists were interviewed: the HNTB and Train & Partners team, Hughes Group Architects & NBBJ and Heinlein Schrock Sterns.
According to a resolution released by the committee Sunday, the following criteria were considered in selecting the architect: the firm's presentation quality, its plans to assist the University, relevant experience and qualifications, previous success, and availability.
According to the resolution, VMDO best fit the criteria.
"The VMDO/Ellerbe Becket team featured an array of materials highlighting several compelling qualities that distinguished them from the other short-listed firms," the committee said in its resolution.
VMDO, located in downtown Charlottesville, has a large amount of experience with the University. The firm has worked on Kl
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