National Association
of Realtors®
Washington, DC
Karchem's Role: Project Manager
Size: 100,000 SF
Year Built: 1996
Budget: $1.0 million
Schedule: 12 months
Other Project: In 1995, NAR retained Karchem Properties to assist them in selecting new offices and building out their 60,000 SF office at 700 Eleventh Street, NW.
As project manager for the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), Karchem Properties directed the project team involved in the physical disposition of the headquarters’ building at 777 - 14th Street, NW. This 13-story, 100,000 square foot building was built in 1950.
Karchem directed the removal of the hazardous materials (asbestos), demolition of the existing building, construction of a surface parking lot, and operation of the lot. The total project budget was $1 million. Concerns over the demolition of the building were heightened because the adjacent building, The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, shared a wall with NAR’s building.
Karchem prepared a detailed master schedule outlining major tasks and milestones. We also developed a detailed project budget for the total costs of the demolition.
Karchem Properties worked with the structural engineer to develop the necessary demolition documentation for use by the demolition contractors to prepare their response to the Request for Proposal. We also had the environmental engineer develop plans and specifications for the removal of the asbestos-containing materials and other hazardous materials prior to demolition of the building.
Next, we developed a comprehensive bid package for the demolition contractor and worked with NAR’s attorney to prepare and negotiate the demolition agreement.
During the start-up phase, we coordinated with the property management company to decommission the building. Karchem Properties coordinated the activities of Wrecking Corporation and the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church during the hand-demolition of the wall between NAR and the Church. A videotaped session was required to document the existing conditions of the Church to ensure no damage was caused as a result of the demolition process.
The actual demolition activity took place between 11:00 pm and 3:00 am. During the demolition phase, we also monitored the performance of the environmental engineer and supervised the certification of abatement costs and submission of the required Phase I Environmental Study. Once the demolition was completed, we managed the project close-out and assembled final waste manifests, final lien waivers, and copies of all permits and inspection records.
In addition to the day-to-day activities of the demolition process, we developed a comprehensive bid package for the construction and operation of the surface parking lot. Working closely with NAR’s attorneys in Chicago and Washington, we prepared a letter agreement and parking lease agreement.
"We are glad to call on you a second time to act as project manager in the disposition of 777 14th Street, NW. In light of the adjacent church’s concerns, the public approval process and the environmental issues, we feel that we are in good hands." -- Nestor R. Weigand, Jr., Chair, Real Property Operations Committee
|
