Public sector leaders are increasingly aligning capital investments to support long-term economic development objectives. Rather than focusing solely on bricks and mortar, cities, counties, and educational institutions are prioritizing projects that strengthen workforce pipelines, enhance quality of place, modernize aging infrastructure, and position communities to compete for private sector investment. According to recent national economic development reporting, infrastructure, higher education facilities, and downtown revitalization projects consistently rank among the most effective tools for driving sustained regional growth and economic vitality.
Large multi-million-dollar infrastructure initiatives currently in the planning and design phases that support emerging industries, workforce development, and overall economic development strategies will launch throughout America in 2026. Public funding is increasingly being deployed as a catalyst, leveraging private sector capital, supporting talent development, and creating environments where innovation and community engagement can thrive.
City officials in Georgia are moving forward with plans for a major infrastructure project designed to reconnect Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. The initiative seeks to transform a long-standing physical barrier into new civic space while improving walkability and access between surrounding districts. Phase 1 will construct an approximately 450-foot cap and bridge structure over the interstate to support a new deck park. Current plans call for roughly five acres of new park space atop the cap, designed as a signature civic gathering area.
Phase 1 will also include a package of multimodal and streetscape improvements spanning approximately eight miles, enhancing walking and biking access points, safety, and overall circulation throughout the downtown area. The total project cost is estimated at $750 million or more. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction expected to begin in late 2026. Longer-term plans envision expansion beyond Phase 1, creating a larger cap-and-park system intended to deliver additional public space and catalyze adjacent private investment.
A $100 million renovation of the Crown Theatre and Arena in Cumberland County, North Carolina, is moving forward as part of an effort to reposition the entertainment complex as a modern, revenue-generating destination for concerts, touring productions, and large community events. The plan calls for repurposing the aging facilities into a state-of-the-art performance and events complex capable of supporting higher-profile bookings and increased visitor activity.
The modernization effort will retain the existing theater structure and permanent stage while reconfiguring and upgrading the arena’s open floor plan to accommodate a wide range of event types. Planned improvements include seating replacements, enhanced acoustics, and upgraded lighting and show-control systems. Concession areas will be expanded and modernized, with new VIP boxes and premium hospitality spaces added. Accessibility upgrades and back-of-house functionality will be prioritized, including improvements to loading areas and support spaces for touring acts and production crews. Upon completion, the renovated venues will offer seating capacities of approximately 2,500 and 4,500, respectively. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027.
Officials at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are planning a $48 million renovation of the campus student center to create a new facility known as the Center for Success and Innovation. The project will be designed to serve as a gateway between the college and the broader Ann Arbor community, combining hands-on, technology-driven instruction with programming connected to local employers.
College officials say the repurposed facility will help prepare students for higher-wage careers in sectors critical to the regional economy, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics, mobility, software development, artificial intelligence, and other emerging industries. The project aligns with the state’s goal of ensuring that 60 percent of Michigan residents earn a postsecondary certificate or college degree by 2030.
Three floors of the existing 80,000-square-foot building will be renovated. An Innovation Station will provide space for artificial intelligence and virtual, augmented, and mixed reality labs, along with advanced computer labs supporting programs in esports, animation, logistics, event management, and software development. The facility will also include upgraded instructional space for business, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and applied technologies. A community-accessible wellness center will offer counseling, success coaching, and a health clinic operated in partnership with a local healthcare provider. Construction timelines are expected to be announced later this year.
City leaders in Chicago are preparing to launch a large-scale downtown modernization and beautification initiative aimed at improving safety, replacing aging infrastructure, and attracting new private investment to the city’s core.
The project will include high-visibility crosswalks, ADA-compliant sidewalks, curb extensions, and upgraded lighting designed to encourage walking and enhance safety. Underground utility work will involve replacing water mains, removing lead service lines, rehabilitating sewer systems, and improving stormwater management. Above ground, planned improvements include decorative paving, landscaping, signage, street furniture, and public art. In parallel with the infrastructure work, the city will collaborate with private sector partners to update zoning, provide redevelopment incentives, and invest in site preparation to support construction of more than 200 new residential units downtown, along with new retail, restaurant, and mixed-use developments.
Separately, the city has announced plans for a potential new city hall Campus and has begun preparing several city-owned properties for future redevelopment through remediation, demolition, and stabilization of historic structures. The goal is to position downtown West Chicago for phased redevelopment. While no final cost estimate has been released, early planning suggests that streetscape and utility upgrades alone could exceed $25 million. Engineering work will continue through late 2026, with solicitation documents anticipated in 2026 and construction scheduled for 2027.
A $66.7 million Bio Fabrication and Imaging Research Center is being planned for the University at Buffalo campus in New York. The project will expand the university’s capacity for advanced research in regenerative medicine, imaging technologies, and biomedical innovation, while strengthening the region’s life sciences ecosystem. Supported by New York State capital funding and public university investment, the facility is intended to advance research infrastructure, support workforce development, and stimulate regional economic growth.
The new center will feature specialized laboratory space for bio fabrication, imaging, and translational research, along with training areas designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration. Advanced building systems, highly technical lab infrastructure, and specialized equipment environments will be central to the project. A phased delivery approach is planned, with design work continuing through 2026 and construction expected to begin in 2027.
These projects support an economic development trend that goes beyond traditional recruitment and incentive models. Government leaders are investing in public assets that support people, connectivity, a skilled workforce and innovation, recognizing that infrastructure, education, and placemaking are inseparable from economic competitiveness and regional growth. As these initiatives move from planning to construction, they will not only reshape local skylines but also lay groundwork for long-term growth, resilience, and opportunity.
Photo by Canva
For more of the latest from the expansive government marketplace, check Government Market News daily for new stories, insights and profiles from public sector professionals. Check out our national contracting newsletter here.
