Gilbane to Manage Capital Visitor Center Construction

WASHINGTON, DC-Gilbane will serve as construction manager of the new $265 million United States Capitol Visitor Center. The 600,000 sf center will be constructed underground, beneath the Capital’s east front. The project is slated for completion by the 2005 presidential inauguration.

Gilbane, a construction and real estate development firm with offices across the country, was chosen through a competitive bid process, officials said. Because of security concerns and to maintain the Capital grounds during construction, the visitor center will be built from the top down, with the project including special foundations, water retention construction, protection of existing landscaping, road construction, traffic-pattern management and stone paving. The Capital Building will also be spruced up as a result of the project, including repairs that will bring it up to building code, and it will get much-needed additional elevators and stairways.