December 2000 Bilal Hammad Associates were commissioned to design a trade center in Aqaba for the Jordan Duty Free Shops Company. The 3,500 square meter center is expected to cost 360,000 JD (around 500,000 $US). The project is in line with the Jordanian government's plan to transform Aqaba into a special economic zone. The Consolidated Consultants for Engineering and Environment were commissioned to carry out the designs for the Aqaba Industrial City. The Jordan Industrial Estates Corporation project, which stretches over a 275 hectare site, includes designs for infrastructure networks, road networks, buildings, and factories. The American firm Wilbur Smith and Associates will carry out the service designs for the 8,500,000 JD (around 12,000,000 $US) project. (For additional information on the Consolidated Consultants for Engineering and Environment, see their web site at http://ccjo.com) Darb (Design Associates and Research Bureau), in association with the Egyptian firm Alfredo Freda Studios, were commissioned to design the first phase of Marina Town along the southern shore of Aqaba. The 30,000 square meter project, which is owned by the Jordan Projects for Tourism Development Company, is expected to cost 8,500,000 JD (around 12,000,000 $US).