Historic Expansion of U.S. Capitol Showcases Its Historic Use of CM
The rise of the Capitol Visitor Center from dream to reality also has heralded another significant change on Capitol Hill. The $265-million underground facility, on a fast track for a 2005 completion, has propelled the Architect of the Capitol, the inhouse engineering and construction team in charge of the 19th Century legislative complex, to adopt 21st Century project delivery. The visitors' center is the architect's largest-ever building project and its first foray into outside construction management. The cultural change was not welcomed at first on Capitol Hill, but project participants now say the CM approach could make all the difference. The architect's office already appears to be confident enough that it has decided to go the construction-management route for renovation and modernization work it will be handling for the Supreme Court building. Hill International, Marlboro, N.J., was selected earlier this month as CM for the estimated $122-million, seven-year project, says a court spokesman.