Square 54/2200 Pennsylvania Avenue: UPDATES

Construction project progress facing north/mid October 2009

Square 54/2200 Pennsylvania Avenue FACT SHEET

Traffic & pedestrian changes
(pursuant to an approved public space permit)
beginning February, 2009

Web images of current project construction here

Video of past controlled blasting activity here

For more information, mail talktogw@gwu.edu

Scroll through updates below
for progress photos

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES in reverse chronological order

Construction project progress facing north/mid August 2009

November 18, 2009: Concrete work on the building's above grade structure continues. Utility work along 22nd Street, NW adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) is nearly complete and the additional lane of traffic has been re-opened. Potential short term closures of this traffic lane are still possible until the majority of the utility tie-in work is complete in the near future.

Square 54/November 13, 2009: Clark Construction anticipates installation of the PEPCO Transformer and Bus Vaults on Saturday November 14. The staging for this work is expected to temporarily close vehicular traffic lanes on 22nd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). Project officials will coordinate traffic flows per a traffic control plan to be approved by the DC Government.

Square 54/November 4, 11: Concrete work on the building's above grade structure continues. An additional lane of 22nd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) will continue to be closed workdays (Monday to Saturday) between the hours of 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to accommodate utility work.

October 28, 2009: Clark Construction is in the permitting process for installation this weekend of steel framing in the project's courtyard. The staging for this installation is expected to temporarily reduce vehicular traffic lanes on 23rd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). Project officials will coordinate traffic flows per a traffic control plan approved by the DC Government which will facilitate continuation of two-way traffic. Additional details will be posted here as they become available.

Concrete work on the building's above grade structure continues.

An additional lane of 22nd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) will continue to be closed workdays (Monday to Saturday) between the hours of 9:30 am-3:30 pm to accommodate utility work.

Square 54/October 7, 14 & 21, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure is complete and above grade structure is in progress. An additional lane of 22nd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) will continue to be closed workdays (Monday to Saturday) between the hours of 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to accommodate utility work.

Construction project progress facing southeast/mid August 2009

Square 54/September 16, 23, 30, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage has reached grade level. An additional lane of 22nd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) will be continue to be closed on workdays (Monday to Saturday) between the hours of 9:30 a.m-3:30 p.m. to accommodate utility work.

Square 54/September 2 & 9, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure has reached grade level at various locations on the site. An additional lane of 22nd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) will be continue to be closed on workdays (Monday to Saturday) between the hours of 9:30 a.m-3:30 p.m. to accommodate utility work.

Installation of covered sidewalk on project's norther edge/mid August 2009

Square 54/August 25, 2009: An additional lane of 22nd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) will be closed on workdays (Monday to Saturday) through September between the hours of 9:30 a.m-3:30 p.m. to accommodate utility work. Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure will soon reach grade level. The covered sidewalk on the north side of the site (Pennsylvania Avenue/Washington Circle) was installed last week.

Square 54/August 12, 2009: Per the August 5, 2009 update below, an additional lane of 22nd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) will be closed on workdays (Monday to Saturday) between the hours of 9:30 a.m-3:30 p.m. to accommodate utility work. Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues and will soon reach grade level. A new covered sidewalk will be installed on the north side of the site (Pennsylvania Avenue/Washington Circle) later this summer.

Construction project progress facing north/mid July 2009

Square 54/August 5, 2009: Beginning Friday August 7, an additional lane of 22nd Street adjacent to the project site (between I Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) will be closed on workdays (Monday to Saturday) between the hours of 9:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m. This change will accommodate utility work which will continue for five to six weeks and this site will post regular updates as to additional anticipated impacts on traffic. Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues and will soon reach grade level. A new covered sidewalk will be installed on the north side of the site (Pennsylvania Avenue/Washington Circle) later this summer.

Square 54/July 29, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues and will soon reach grade level. A new covered sidewalk will be installed on the north side of the site (Pennsylvania Avenue/Washington Circle) later this summer.

Construction project progress facing north/early June 2009

Square 54/July 22, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues. A new covered sidewalk will be installed on the north side of the site (Pennsylvania Avenue/Washington Circle) later this summer.

Square 54/July 8, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues. A new covered sidewalk will be installed on the north side of the site (Pennsylvania Avenue/Washington Circle) later this summer.

Square 54/July 1, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues. A new covered sidewalk will be installed on the north side of the site (Pennsylvania Avenue/Washington Circle) later this summer.

Construction project progress facing north/mid May 2009

Square 54/June 17, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues. A new covered sidewalk will be installed on the north side of the site (Pennsylvania Avenue/Washington Circle) later this summer.

Square 54/June 10, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues.

Square 54/June 3, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues.

Square 54/May 27, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues.

Square 54/May 20, 2009: Concrete work on the building's below grade garage structure continues.

Construction project progress facing south/early April 2009

Square 54/May 13, 2009: Concrete work on the building's foundation and the below grade garage structure continues.

Square 54/May 5, 2009: Clark Construction completed installation of the project's third and fourth tower cranes April 25/26. Concrete work continues at the site on the building's foundation and the below grade garage structure.

Square 54/April 21, 2009: Clark Construction has scheduled installation of the project’s final tower cranes for this weekend, April 25/26. Staging for the crane installation will occur on 23rd Street and Eye Street. No street closures are anticipated and onsite crews will ensure that traffic flows continue during the installation process, pursuant to an approved traffic control plan.

Construction project progress facing north/early April 2009

Construction project progress - northwest corner/early April 2009

The third and fourth tower cranes are anticipated to be erected in the last two weekends of the month -- April 18/19 and April 25/26. Additional details will be posted here as they become available.

Square 54/March 31, 2009: Due to continued site preparation, Clark Construction has rescheduled installation of the project’s second tower crane from this weekend (April 4/5) to a tentative date of April 11/12. The portions of adjacent traffic lanes and sidewalks to be temporarily closed during this installation will be posted on this page upon confirmation. The third and fourth tower cranes will be erected at to-be-determined dates later in April. Additional details will be provided on this page as they become available.

Construction project progress/March 2, 2009

Square 54/March 25, 2009: Clark Construction anticipates installation April 4/5 of the project’s second tower crane in the northeast corner of the project site. Portions of adjacent traffic lanes and sidewalks will be closed during this installation and will posted to this page upon confirmation. The third and fourth tower cranes will be erected at to-be-determined dates later in April. More details will be provided on this page as they become available.

Square 54/March 19, 2009: The first of four tower cranes was erected March 14/15 in the northeast corner of the project site. Clark Construction is currently in the permitting process for installation of additional tower cranes the weekends of April 4/5 (northwest corner). Adjacent pedestrian and traffic lanes are expected to be closed during each installation. The third and fourth tower cranes will be erected at to-be-determined dates later in April. More details will be provided on this page as they become available.

Construction project progress/late February 2009

Square 54/March 11, 2009: Clark Construction anticipates installation this weekend of the project’s first tower crane. It is expected the block of 22nd Street between Eye Street and Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed during this installation.

Square 54/February 25, 2009: Clark Construction is targeting the weekend of March 14 for the installation of the first tower crane on the site. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) has relocated the bus stop from the northeast corner of 23rd and Eye Streets to the southeast corner of the same intersection. Click here for a visual overview of these changes.

Construction project progress/early February 2009

Square 54/February 18, 2009: Pursuant to an approved public space permit, Boston Properties has implemented changes to traffic lanes and pedestrian walkways adjacent to the Square 54 project site. Parking meters on Eye, 22nd and 23rd Streets are being taken offline and the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) will soon relocate the bus stop from the northeast corner of 23rd and Eye Streets to the southeast corner of the same intersection. Click here for a visual overview of these changes. The first of four tower cranes required on the site is expected to be installed in early March with additional tower cranes installed over coming months.

Removal of excavation access decline at project site/early February 2009

Square 54/February 2, 2009: Traffic & pedestrian changes (pursuant to an approved public space permit) Beginning February, 2009: With excavation near completion, the project will soon move into the next phase of construction, below grade structural work. Anticipated to last up to a year, this work will involve pouring concrete for the building's foundation and the below and above grade structure. This operation will require temporary modifications to the existing pedestrian and traffic flows as shown here

Square 54/January 26, 2009: Final excavation work is underway and nearly complete.

Construction project progress/early January 2009

Square 54/January 12, 2009: Final excavation work is underway and nearly complete. Due to Presidential Inaugural activities, no work is scheduled from Saturday, January 17 through Tuesday, January 20.

January 5, 2009: Final excavation work is underway and nearly complete.

December 18, 2008: Excavation work continues. Due to end-of-year holidays, site work is not anticipated to occur December 25-26 or January 1. The next update to this page will be January 5, 2009.

Construction project progress/early December, 2008

December 8, 2008
Excavation work continues. Controlled blasting will occur several days this week (up to three times daily) and is anticipated to conclude soon depending on weather conditions.

December 1, 2008 Excavation work continues. Controlled blasting is expected to occur Tuesday through Friday of this week (up to three times daily) and will continue intermittently until later in the month.

Aerial view of construction project progress/early November, 2008

November 20, 2008
Excavation work continues. Controlled blasting is scheduled to re-commence Friday, November 21 and continue up to three times each workday for a period of up to 10 working days. In observance of Thanksgiving, there will be no controlled blasting from Wednesday, Nov. 26 to Friday, Nov. 28.

November 17, 2008 Excavation work continues. Controlled blasting is scheduled to re-commence later this week or early next week and continue up to three times each weekday for a period of up to 10 days. In observance of Thanksgiving, there will be no controlled blasting from Wednesday, Nov. 26 to Friday, Nov. 28.

November 10, 3 and October 27, 2008
Excavation work continues. No controlled blasting is scheduled this week. Upon finalization, the schedule for remaining controlled blastings will be posted here.

Aerial view of construction project progress/September, 2008

October 20, 13, 6, 2008 & September 29, 22, 16, 9, 2008
Excavation work and controlled blasting activities continue. Blasting is expected up to three times each weekday. The intensity of blasts is expected to be the same as in previous weeks.

September 2, 2008
Excavation work and controlled blasting activities continue. Blasting is expected up to three times each weekday. Residents of adjacent buildings have compared the "rumble" caused by the blasts to the sound and intensity of thunder. Construction work (excluding blasting) will occur this Saturday. For additional information, review this factsheet or send questions/concerns via email to: talktogw@gwu.edu

Aerial view of construction project progress/late August, 2008

August 25, 2008
Excavation work and controlled blasting activities continue. Blasting this week is expected twice each weekday. Residents of adjacent buildings have compared the "rumble" caused by the blasts to the sound and intensity of thunder. Construction work (excluding blasting) will occur this Saturday. In observance of the Labor Day Holiday, no work (or blasting) will occur Monday, September 1, 2008. For additional information, review this factsheet or send questions/concerns via email to: talktogw@gwu.edu

Aerial view of construction project progress/August 22, 2008

August 18, 2008
Excavation work and controlled blasting activities continue. Blasting is expected up to three times each weekday at approximately 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Residents of adjacent buildings have compared the "rumble" caused by the blasts to the sound and intensity of thunder. Construction work will occur on Saturday, but no blasting will occur. For additional information, review this factsheet or send questions/concerns via email to: talktogw@gwu.edu

Aerial view of construction project progress/late July, 2008

August 4, 2008
Excavation work continues onsite and controlled blasting activities began on August 4. Blasting this week is expected twice each weekday at approximately 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Residents of adjacent buildings have compared the "rumble" caused by the blasts to the sound and intensity of thunder. Construction work will occur on Saturday, but no blasting will occur. For additional information, review this factsheet or send questions/concerns via email to: talktogw@gwu.edu

Aerial view of construction project progress/June, 2008

June 3, 2008
Boston Properties has received final approval of its sheeting and shoring permit for Square 54.  Work under this permit includes drilling of soldier beams around the perimeter of the site as well as excavation and hauling of dirt, which will begin this week. A community meeting to discuss Square 54 construction has been scheduled for June 3, 2008 at 7:00pm and will be held in the GW Hospital, 6^th floor conference room.  All are welcome to attend.

Aerial view of construction project progress/late May, 2008

May 27, 2008
Boston Properties continues to await final approval of the Sheeting & Shoring Permit for the Square 54 site.  Work continues under the public space permit to execute site preparation activities, soil and erosion control measures and other construction preparation activities in public space.

May 19, 2008
Boston Properties is awaiting final approval of the Sheeting & Shoring Permit for the Square 54 site.  The Public Space Permit was issued last week, which allows the contractor to place construction fencing around the perimeter of the site, and begin initial site preparation activities on those elements that reside within public space.  Upon release of the Sheeting & Shoring Permit, the drilling of soldier beams around the perimeter of the site and excavation activities will begin. A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 16, 2008 and attended by nearly 200 neighbors, students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders.

DC Mayor Fenty and Councilmembers Cheh, Brown and Evans join DC Government and GW officials at May 16, 2008 groundbreaking ceremony