The convocation center-which bears the name of Virginia Beach local and major ODU donor Ted Constant-occupies the campus address of 4320 Hampton Blvd., and is much more than just a place to play basketball. Including the 16-suite VIP area, the facility boasts a fixed seating capacity of 8,600, which is expandable to over 9,500 for special events. There is also a 9,000-sf multipurpose room for smaller meetings and receptions, and a separate 1,400-space parking garage.

"It's a great new venue for ODU for sporting events and entertainment," Governor's Office spokesperson Ellen Qualls tells GlobeSt.com. Gov. Mark R. Warner attended the recent opening ceremony for Constant Center. "It will add a great deal to the University's reputation and its economic bottom line." Warner told the crowd, jokingly, how pleased he was that the project came in on time and on budget.

The next phase of University Village is to get underway later this month and will consist of several three-story garden apartments accounting for 400 beds, and 20,00 sf of retail space. Ultimately, University Village will feature a shopping center, office structures, additional residential buildings, more retails space and restaurants spanning a 13-block area. The entire privately funded development is expected to be complete within the next five to 10 years.