Thursday, August 3, 2000
Mayor Anthony Williams Applauds Successful Contracting Efforts During Tour of New Convention Center Site
(Washington, DC) District officials, led by Mayor Anthony A. Williams, toured the site of the new Washington Convention Center today. During the tour, nine Local, Small or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (LSDBE) certified firms were introduced as officials discussed the successful effort by the DC Office of Local Business Development, the Washington Convention Center Authority (WCCA) and Clark/Smoot Construction to include local firms in the development of the largest project in District history.
The new Washington Convention Center began excavation and construction in March 1999. In just over a year, the project has awarded approximately $173 million, or 54 percent of all subcontracts, to firms certified as LSDBE's by the Local Business Opportunity Commission. Mayor Williams congratulated Jackie Flowers, Director of the Office of Local Business Development for achieving her scorecard goal of setting a minimum of 40 percent of actual contract awards to LSDBE firms for the new Washington Convention Center project. Flowers' goal was completed five months in advance.
"This program has been tremendously successful," said Mayor Williams. "A primary goal of my administration was to ensure access to contracting opportunities for local, small or disadvantaged firms and we have done that. The Office of Local Business Development has worked with area companies to get them certified and has also monitored WCCA and Clark/Smoot contracting to guarantee participation."
The new convention center features 2.3 million gross square feet and encompasses six city blocks in the northern end of downtown Washington. To date, over 1.3 million cubic yards of soil have been excavated, the massive concrete foundation has been poured and the intricate steel framing is being erected. District LSDBE firms have been intimately involved in all stages of construction.
The contract for construction of the new convention center between WCCA and Clark/Smoot totals $501.6 million and sets a goal of 35 percent LSDBE participation. Prime subcontracts purchased to date total $317 million. It is expected that once the entire project is bid and contracted, LSDBE participation will continue to exceed the 35 percent goal and may well hold to the current 54 percent participation rate.
"When I accepted the Mayor's request to serve on the WCCA Board of Directors, I made it clear that employment for DC residents and contracting opportunities for DC businesses must and will be achieved. I'm proud of the cooperative effort by everyone involved to reach those twin goals," said Vincent Cohen, chairman of the WCCA Board of Directors.
The new Washington Convention Center promises to take its place as a leading meeting and exhibition facility. The design incorporates a dramatic curved glass 83-foot front façade spanning two city blocks, massive open skylights, generous use of glass throughout and the creative use of granite, limestone and brick to blend with the surrounding neighborhood. The 60,000 square foot grand ballroom, the largest on the East Coast, is perched on the top of the building and will allow visitors a sweeping view of the District's skyline and its monuments. The building also will feature a $4 million art program.
The construction of the new Washington Convention Center is proceeding on time and within the current estimate of available funds. The new center will open as scheduled in March 2003.
