Wheaton Revitalization News is an email distribution list that will provide frequent updates to the surrounding community on the Wheaton Revitalization project. The purpose of this distribution list is to provide you with project updates and construction activities. For additional information on the Wheaton Revitalization Project please visit http://www. Look Ahead – Week of February 18 to February 24, 2018 Executive Summary The project continues to track on-schedule and within budget. Demolition of the Mid-County Regional Services Center Building Demolition of the Regional Services Building commenced on Monday, February 12. Currently, the contractor is dismantling the interior elements of the building and disconnecting the Regional Services Center (RSC) building from the adjoining Triangle Building from atop. Mass (exterior) demolition of the RSC will be accomplished by means of a hydraulic excavator with a pinching (grabbing) attachment that will “chew” away at the building. The area immediately to the demolition will be protected by fencing and plywood barriers. WMATA has reviewed and approved the building demolition plans including areas of close proximity to WMATA operations. Traffic operations along Reedie Drive will not be affected and pedestrian movement will remain unchanged except for the closure of the “cut through” walkway immediately adjacent to the Regional Services Building leading from Reedie Drive to the Metro stairs. Signage will be posted. Tie-Down Anchors Installation of tie-down anchors at the footers is complete (see photo). In all, one hundred sixty-nine (169) foundation tie-down anchors were installed around the perimeter of the building foundation. Tie-down anchors are long steel rods that are embedded 20 feet into the underlying bedrock and grouted in place (see photo). The rods penetrate through the building foundation and are secured at the topside of the footer with large washers and lock-down nuts. Tie-down anchors are installed to resist expected upward hydraulic pressure generated by normal groundwater elevations once the dewatering operation ceases. Recovery and Connection of the Geothermal System The process of recovering the one hundred fifty (150) geothermal wells, installed earlier in the project, is complete. The wells were pressure tested and flushed with clean water. In the upcoming weeks the wells will be joined together in 15 well circuits with horizontal piping and ready for tie-in to the future building energy system. Construction of the sub-foundation Elements Construction of the sub-foundation elements such as the WSSC vault and elevator pits is well underway (see photo). The contractor is now carefully preparing subgrade and protecting the subgrade with a concrete cover known as a “mud mat” upon which the building foundation will be constructed. Site Dewatering Mass excavation and construction of the building foundation requires the lowering of the groundwater table, which is generally 35 feet below the existing ground surface. The dewatering process will temporarily lower the groundwater roughly 25 feet to allow for construction. Dewatering is currently underway 24/7 and will continue over the next 22 months at which time pumping will discontinue and groundwater will restore to its normal levels. As noted above, all tie-down anchors will be in place and secured tightly prior to deactivation of the dewatering system. All water discharged from the site is treated for proper pH levels per the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) requirements. Administrative Preparations The Contractor, Architect, Developer, and Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) are busy exchanging and reviewing detailed submittals to ensure strict compliance with project specifications and all applicable building codes. In all, over 2,000 separate submittals will be developed, exchanged, and reviewed by the project team. No construction is permitted to proceed until all related material submittals, craftsman qualifications, testing, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control has been approved. Follow Project Progress via the Project Camera A camera has been installed to view construction on the site. Click here to access the camera. Upcoming and Ongoing Activities
Area Below Main Lobby & Elevators
Footer Construction & Tie-Down Anchors |
Wheaton Revitalization News!
Wheaton Revitalization News!
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Wheaton Revitalization News is an email distribution list that will provide frequent updates to the surrounding community on the Wheaton Revitalization project. The purpose of this distribution list is to provide you with project updates and construction activities. For additional information on the Wheaton Revitalization Project please visit http://www. Look Ahead – Week of February 11 to February 17 Executive Summary The project continues to track on-schedule and within budget. Temporary Closure of Reedie Drive A 7-hour temporary closure of Reedie Drive will take place on Saturday, February 10, from 5am to noon to stage a mobile crane in Reedie Drive. The mobile crane is needed to “air lift” (remove) several large pieces of construction equipment out of the 55-feet deep hole. The construction equipment (excavators and drill rigs) were required to work long after the removal of the ramp exiting the hole. The only means out of the hole at this point in time is to be “air lifted’ out by a mobile crane with the hoisting capacity to make such a lift. The on-site tower cranes do not have the hoisting capacity for such heavy lifts. Therefore, a mobile crane will arrive early Saturday morning, set-up on Reedie Drive, and remove the excavators and drill rig. Building Foundation Excavation Completed Excavation for the building foundation is complete. Demolition of the Mid-County Regional Services Center Building Demolition of the Regional Services Building will commence on Monday, February 12 and require six (6) weeks to complete. The demolition will be accomplished by means of a hydraulic excavator with a pinching (grabbing) attachment that will “chew” away at the building. The area immediately to the demolition will be protected by fencing and plywood barriers. WMATA has reviewed and approved the building demolition plans including areas of close proximity to WMATA operations. Pedestrian and traffic operations will be largely unaffected. Traffic operations along Reedie Drive will not be affected and pedestrian movement will remain unchanged with the exception of closure of the “cut through” walkway immediately adjacent to the Regional Services Building leading from Reedie Drive to the Metro stairs. Signage will be posted. Service providers formerly located in the Mid-County Regional Services Building have relocated as noted in the Special Bulletin. Tie-Down Anchors Installation of tie-down anchors will be complete this week, including hydraulic testing (see photos). In all, one hundred sixty nine (169) foundation tie-down anchors will be installed around the perimeter of the building foundation. Tie down anchors are long steel rods that are embedded 20-feet into the underlying bedrock and grouted in place (see photo). The rods penetrate through the building foundation and be secured at the topside of the footer with large washers and lock-down nuts. Tie down anchors are installed to resist expected upward hydraulic ressure of groundwater once the dewatering operation ceases. Recovery and Connection of the Geothermal System The process of recovering the one-hundred-fifty (150) Geothermal wells, installed earlier in the project, is complete. The wells were pressure tested and flushed with clean water. In the upcoming weeks the wells will be joined together in 15-well circuits’ vis-à-vis horizontal piping. Construction of the sub-foundation Elements Construction of the sub-foundation elements such as the WSSC vault and elevator pits is well underway (see photo). The contractor is now carefully preparing subgrade and protecting the subgrade with a concrete cover known as a ‘mud mat” upon which the building foundation will be built. The 10-day weather forecast is calling for periods of rain well into next week. The contractor is planning accordingly and protecting foundation subgrade. Site Dewatering Mass excavation and construction of the building foundation requires the lowering of the groundwater table, which is generally 35 feet below the existing ground surface. The dewatering process will temporarily lower the groundwater roughly 25 feet to allow for construction. Dewatering is currently underway 24/7 and will continue over the next 22-months at which time pumping will discontinue and groundwater will restore to its normal levels. As noted above, all tie-down anchors will be in place and secured tightly prior to deactivation of the dewatering system. All water discharged from the site is treated for proper pH levels per the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) requirements. Administrative Preparations The Contractor, Architect, Developer, and Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) are busy exchanging and reviewing detailed submittals to ensure strict compliance with project specifications and all applicable building codes. In all, over 2,000 separate submittals will be developed, exchanged, and reviewed by the project team. No construction is permitted to proceed until all related material submittals, craftsman qualifications, testing, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control has been approved. Follow Project Progress via the Project Camera A camera has been installed to view construction on the site. Click here to access the camera. Upcoming and Ongoing Activities
Project Milestone Schedule
Reinforcing Below the Building Lobby
Hydraulic Testing a Tie-Down Anchor
Sub-foundation Construction |
County’s Arts and Humanities Council-Sponsored Group Beautifies Wheaton Clock
Apprentice artists with Arts on the Block’s (AOB) Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County-sponsored program, “Pour Your ART Out” (PYAO), spent more than 200 hours designing, refining, presenting and cutting tile for a 7-foot diameter vertical sundial and 34, 16-inch medallions all made out of glass mosaic tiles. The tiles adorn the Wheaton Clock in downtown Wheaton, at the cross section of Grandview and Ennals Avenues. There will be a dedication ceremony for the Wheaton Clock installation on Saturday, December 17, at 3 p.m. at the clock’s site for anyone who wishes to attend.
“The beautification of the Wheaton Clock Tower is another example of the outstanding work sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County,” said County Councilmember Nancy Navarro (@nancy_navarro). “Young people in Wheaton have so much to contribute to their community, and this project demonstrates their limitless creativity. I am excited about the nearly $150 million redevelopment program that is set to begin next year, enhancing what is already an outstanding place to live and do business.”
Wheaton residents made design contributions by drawing what they felt best represented their community on paper plates during the April 2015 Taste of Wheaton event. Local student apprentices were inspired by the recurring themes that make Wheaton special, such as its diversity in people, culture and food.
“The Wheaton Clock Tower has been a fixture in downtown Wheaton since 1988 when it was installed as part of the re-development of the corner shopping plaza,” explains Director of the Mid-County Regional Service Office Luisa Montero (@WheatonMD). “With the anticipation of the Wheaton Town Plaza and its public art and performance stage, the newly adorned clock tower will serve as another example of the wonderful art and artists that exist in the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District.”
PYAO provides high school students the opportunity to become apprentice artists to learn about and develop workforce skills that can be used in any career.
Funding for this project was made possible by two Wheaton Cultural Grants in FY15 and 16 from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County. In-kind support was provided by the Wheaton Urban District and Mid-County Regional Service Center.
AOB is entering the 14th year of empowering Maryland and DC youth with a unique cross section of art and design, job readiness and youth development programming.
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FY16 Savings Plan Update
Click here for all the details about the FY16 Savings Plan approved by the Council on July 28, 2015.
Councilmember Nancy Navarro on Fatal Shooting at Wheaton Metro Garage
ROCKVILLE, Md., July 15, 2015—Councilmember Nancy Navarro, who represents District 4, which includes Wheaton, released the following statement about the fatal shooting at the Wheaton Metro Garage that occurred last night:
My heart goes out to the family of the victim of last night’s homicide in Wheaton. Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) did a tremendous job responding to this incident and quickly bringing the suspects into custody. MCPD continues to investigate the circumstances that precipitated this incident.
Montgomery County is making a tremendous infrastructure investment over the next few years in Wheaton, which on the whole, continues to be an extremely safe place to live, work and raise a family. With Wheaton redevelopment kicking off in just a few short months, it is more important than ever that our residents are safe and secure in their community. I have tremendous confidence that our outstanding police force, working in partnership with the Metro Transit Police Department, will redouble their efforts to keep Wheaton safe. We will not let one violent incident deter us from making Wheaton—and all of mid- and east-Montgomery County the best it can be.
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Councilmember Nancy Navarro on the FY16 Budget
Statement from Councilmember Nancy Navarro on the Approval of the FY16 Operating Budget:
“This budget affirms our values. We are making important investments in Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and our social safety net.
This is a budget that truly puts young people first. We included $250,000 for the Children’s Opportunity Fund, which is an important first step toward creating a dedicated Children’s Trust. The Council voted to fund the newly created Child Care and Early Education Policy Officer and Child Care Strategic Plan, which was established as part of the Child Care Expansion and Quality Enhancement Initiative, which I sponsored. The Council added more than a half a million dollars to the County Executive’s recommended budget to provide child care subsidies to the lowest income families in our County. This budget expands the hours of operation for recreation centers in the mid- and east-county and will ensure that the Wheaton High School Wellness Center will open at the same time as the new Wheaton High School.
I’m pleased the Council decided to make a down-payment on fair elections by approving $1 million for the Public Campaign Election Fund. This landmark program will make Montgomery County a national model for public financing of elections. We are also making sure employees of County contractors are treated fairly by fully funding my recently passed legislation to strengthen the Living Wage Law’s reporting requirements.
The approved budget funds our priorities in a fiscally responsible way. We kept the property tax rate at the County’s Charter Limit, while fully funding our future pension, health care, and reserve obligations. We are restoring funding for libraries that was drastically cut during the recession and providing much-deserved compensation for our County employees, who made many sacrifices during the economic downturn. The tough decisions we have made will put Montgomery County in a favorable position to retain our Triple-A Bond Rating.”