FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 5, 2012
State Awards Construction Contract for Libraries, Archives & Museums Building
JUNEAU -- The State of Alaska is pleased to announce the award of Phase 2 of the State Libraries, Archives & Museums (SLAM) building project, located in Juneau, to PCL Construction Services, Inc. for $59.86 million.
The project will place the Alaska State Museums, the Alaska State Archives, and the Alaska State Libraries in one facility at the site of the current State Museum on Whittier Street. The buildings that house the State Libraries, State Archives and State Museum in Juneau are failing, too small, and technologically insufficient. The facilities are not integrated for efficient research and operations. The collections are not connected physically or digitally for statewide access.
The State Libraries’ facilities in the State Office Building have suffered from water leaks. The State Archives’ building is failing structurally and suffered a large intrusion of water during a roof repair. Its collections are at 98 percent capacity. The State Museum has been at capacity for visitation and storage since the mid-1980s.
The project is being phased because of incremental funding and to protect museum objects from damage during construction. Phase 1, awarded in 2011 to PCL Construction, is complete and included some site work. Phase 2 is the construction of the building, including a vault for object storage and the exterior building envelope. Phase 3 will be the interior build-out for a turnkey facility with a planned grand opening in April 2016.
Phase 2 of the SLAM project is 100 percent funded and is planned to start this winter. Phase 3 is 100 percent priced and awaits award pending the final installment of project funding.
The project team has successfully collaborated and received support from multiple government agencies as well as some adjacent property owners including but not limited to: Department of Education & Early Development, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Department of Administration Division of General Services, Department of Natural Resources, Trust Lands Office, City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska Electric Light & Power, Foodland Inc., Prospector Hotel, and Juneau Business Center.
Beginning December 3, 2012, the project will result in changes to the Willoughby District. The subport properties off of Egan Drive near Whittier Street will be exclusively for contractor staging. The permit-only State parking lot at 449 W. Willoughby Avenue will be closed and limited to SLAM construction access.
If you have questions regarding this news release, please contact Kim Mahoney, DOT&PF Project Manager, at 907-269-0822 or kim.mahoney@alaska.gov.
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