South Building ModernizationThe modernization of the South Building (part of the DC complex at 14th & Independence Avenue S.W.) started on September 21, 1998. It is planned to be completed in the year 2015, in eight phases depending on budget approvals. The South Building was built in phases between 1930 and 1936 and is in need of renovation to provide a safe and effective work environment for USDA employees. The renovated building will house up to 6,800 people when the renovation is completed. Everyone housed in the South Building will be relocated at some point during the phased modernization, since all areas will be vacated for construction. As each phase of the renovation is completed USDA will relocate USDA agencies into newly renovated space which, gradually over the next 10 years, will allow USDA to vacate many costly leased spaces and house its employees in a modern and safe facility. Phase One. The first phase (wing three of the South Building) was completed in the year 2000. The construction contractor was Hensel Phelps Construction Co. Agencies housed within this phase are: the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), and Rural Development (RD). Click here to see photos of Phase 1 construction. Phase Two. The second phase (wing 4 of the South Building) was completed in 2003. The construction contractor was Sigal Construction Corp. Agencies housed within this phase are: the Office of Operations (OO), Office of Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Office of Judicial Officer (OJO), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB), the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA), Global Change Program Office of the Office of the Chief Economist. Click here to see photos of Phase 2 construction. Phase Three. The third phase (head house, offices parallel to Independence Avenue from wing 3 through 5) was occupied in early 2005. The construction contractor was Grunley Construction Co. Agencies housed within this phase include NASS, OGC,GIPSA, OCFO, OO, Office of Civil Rights, Office of Administrative Law Judges, Office of Energy, Office of Risk Assessment and Cost Benefit Analysis, and the National Agricultural Library. Click here to see photos of Phase 3 construction. Mail Operations Center. A new Mail Operations Center is now under construction in the old Law Library Building in Court 4 of the South Building. The project includes the complete "gutting" of the old Law Library within the existing building shell, underpinning of the building foundations, construction of new basement and first floor levels, and new mail receiving dock. Occupancy is planned in early 2006. Click here to see photos of Mail Operations Center construction. Phase Four. The first increment of Phase Four (South Building - Wing 5) is now under design and is expected to be advertised for a construction contract in 2006. Project Management. The Office of Operations’ Director, Ms. Priscilla Carey, is the Project Executive. The Design and Construction Division, which includes the Engineering Branch, Space Management Branch and the Modernization Team manages these projects. The Design and Construction Division also managed the construction and occupancy of the George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Maryland which was completed in 1998 and houses up to 1,200 USDA employees and contractors. To see historical photos of the USDA Headquarters Complex click here.
|
|
United States Department
of Agriculture | Departmental Administration We welcome your comments and suggestions about these pages. Please direct them to michael.o'connor@usda.gov This site was last updated on April 4, 2006 |