Prepared by the Capitol Visitor Center Project Office, Architect of the Capitol, June 24, 2002

This Week - Ongoing Work - 6/24/02 through 6/28/02

Utility Work

Utility work is required in the pre-construction phase of the Capitol Visitor Center project. Utility lines will be moved in stages so construction work can take place at times intended to minimize disruption to traffic. Required materials are being staged on the East Front grassy areas.

1. House-side Utility Line Installation -
   1. South Barricade Entrance - CVC utility work and other AOC work continue in the eastern portion of this zone and along Southeast Drive.
   2. House Steps - Fencing will be installed at the north side of the Carriageway adjacent to the House steps. Four steps on the north side will be removed and excavation will begin for utility installation. The drive lane will remain open.
   3. Southwest lawn - Utility work continues near the Magnolia tree grove adjacent to the building in this area.
2. Senate-side Utility Line Installation -
   1. Northeast Drive - Excavation and utility installation work continues along Northeast Drive. There will be no parking on Northeast Drive until this and other AOC work is completed in this area.
   2. Northwest Lawn - CVC excavation and utility installation will continue on the West Lawn (just north of the lower West Front steps).

Historic Preservation

Removal of the historic Frederick Law Olmsted landscape features, including the fountains, lanterns and retaining walls on the East Front Plaza, is required to clear the site for CVC excavation. All historic materials that are removed will be catalogued, stored, and reinstalled in their original locations once the new plaza has been completed.

1. House-side Historic Preservation - Crews will continue to remove the historic landscape features around the House egg and begin disassembling the large fountain on the south side of East Capitol Street. Fencing will be erected around the sidewalk along the western most portion of the House Egg to provide crews the clearance to remove the historic features in this area. Parking will not be affected.
2. Senate-side Historic Preservation - Crews continue removing historic landscape features along the southeast and southwest quadrants of the Senate egg and will continue disassembling the large fountain on the north side of East Capitol Street Extension. Fencing has been erected around the historic landscape features in these zones. The parking spaces along the southwest quadrant of the egg have been shifted slightly westward to clear the way for removal of the wall and lampposts in this area. No parking has been eliminated.

Alternate Media Sites

CVC construction requires the temporary closure of both the Senate and House media sites within the north (swamp site) and south (Elm site) eggs, respectively. Temporary alternate sites are being established for the Senate media in Upper Senate Park near Delaware Avenue, and the House media on the northwest terrace of the Cannon Building.

1. House Media Site - Work on the platform and connecting utilities will be completed this week on the Cannon terrace.
2. Senate Media Site - Work on the platform will be completed this week at the media site location in Upper Senate Park opposite the Russell Senate Office Building.

Construction Fencing

Installation of wood board fencing continues around the CVC project area and will be completed by early July, at which point the East Plaza will be closed to all but emergency vehicular traffic. Trim and paint work on the fence also continues.

Tree Maintenance

All protected trees appear healthy and transplanted trees are doing well. Tree monitoring activities continue.

Next Week - Anticipated Work - 7/1/02 through 7/5/02

Utility Work

1. House-side Utility Line Installation -
   1. South Barricade Entrance - CVC utility work and other AOC work will continue in the eastern portion of this zone and along Southeast Drive.
   2. House Steps - Excavation and utility installation will continue on the north side of the House Steps. Access to all other portions of the House Steps will be maintained.
2. Senate-side Utility Line Installation -
   1. Northeast Drive - CVC excavation and utility installation will continue along Northeast Drive.
   2. Northwest Lawn - CVC excavation and utility installation will continue on the West Lawn.
   3. Paving will begin around the Senate Steps.

Historic Preservation

1. House-side Historic Preservation - Crews will continue removing the historic landscape features around the House egg.
2. Senate-side Historic Preservation - Crews will continue removing historic landscape features around the Senate egg.

Tree Maintenance

Tree monitoring activities will continue.

If you have any questions about the Capitol Visitor Center Project, please contact Tom Fontana, CVC Project Communications Officer for the Architect of the Capitol, at (202) 228-1310, or by e-mail at tfontana@aoc.gov

If you experience any problems with building services inside the Capitol, please contact the Capitol Building Service Center.