HERBERT C. HOOVER MODERNIZATION
WASHINGTON, DC
By: Ty Orner, Project Manager
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded the joint venture of Gilbane Building Company and Grunley Construction a $40 million Construction Manager "at risk" contract for Preconstruction and Construction Services for Phase 1 and Preconstruction Services for Phases 2-8 to modernize the Herbert C. Hoover Building in downtown Washington, DC. The building, located in the historic Federal Triangle, serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Commerce and houses 3,000 staff.
Current Status
Phase I of the modernization has started and is mainly comprised of selective demolition/abatement and construction of swing space as well as building shell M/E/P upgrades. The Swing Space is designed to provide temporary office space for tenants over the duration of the modernization project as each tenant is affected by construction during each phase respectively. This project will be completed while the building and its tenants remain fully operational.
The Gilbane-Grunley JV Team is quickly becoming acclimated to the Hoover Building while successfully managing the traditional elements commonly found on any construction project. Careful coordination is required to maintain the existing building systems since the building must remain operational at all times.
What's Next?
Now, the primary focus is to:
- Establish safety and security standards,
- Protect historical elements,
- Establish control systems for the project,
- Lay the foundation toward building good working relationships with facilities management, tenants, and
- Learn the layout and operating systems of the building.
The National Park Service (NPS) is scheduled to be the first tenant within the building to receive newly renovated permanent office space and this will occur under Phase I. The official completion date for Phase 1 is Spring of 2009, but the Gilbane-Grunley JV is working to meet GSA’s desire to substantially complete the new office space for the National Park Service by Fall 2008 in time for the planning of the Presidential Inauguration. In the coming months, there are many critical activities that need to be completed in order to meet the deadline.
In addition, the team will be advancing the design-development for Phase 2 work that will involve relocating and completing renovations to the National Aquarium within the Hoover Building.
These are very exciting times for the Gilbane-Grunley JV Team. We are diligently working together to successfully complete one of the largest modernization projects for the Federal Government and the last modernization project of this era located within The Federal Triangle.
Date Posted: February 13, 2008