GSA, partners celebrate topping-out at future P.R. FBI facility

By Alison Kohler

Dave Marchiori, senior vice president, Walsh Group, Noelia Agosto, FBI, Andy Young, deputy assistant director of facilities, FBI, Douglas A. Leff, special agent in charge, FBI and Darren Gomez, GSA Northeast and Caribbean acting regional commissioner for Public Buildings Service, pose for a photo before signing a piece of ceremonial steel to celebrate completing the framework of the new San Juan FBI complex. The topping-out ceremony May 30 in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, brought together the partners involved in completing the facility, which is currently slated for completion in late 2019. Photograph by Mike Hogg

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HATO REY, P.R. - Partners working together on the construction of a new FBI complex here joined together May 30 for a ceremonial topping-out to mark achieving completion on the framework construction.

"One of GSA's strategic goals is effective and efficient Government for the American people. We achieve that through smart asset management while also providing cutting-edge workplace solutions that help agencies fulfill their important missions," said Darren Gomez, GSA Northeast and Caribbean acting regional commissioner for Public Buildings Service. "As the principal law enforcement and intelligence agency in the federal government, the FBI is at the top of agencies with important missions. This facility will most definitely provide the men and women of the FBI with the environment for the cutting edge tools and technology they need."

The FBI's San Juan Field Office is one of 56 major hubs facilitating the FBI's mission across the United States and has been one of the locations most in need of a significant upgrade, according to FBI Deputy Assistant Director Andrew Young. "I am appreciative of everyone's efforts to make this beautiful new building a reality for the FBI and Puerto Rico," he said.

Construction began on the project in October 2016 and substantial completion is slated for late 2019, after a few months' of schedule delay following Hurricane Maria in September 2017. Gomez thanked the local workers for their hard work and dedication in light of challenging conditions after the hurricane.

"To stand here about eight months later and know that the scheduled completion date slipped back only a few months, is nothing short of miraculous, considering what most of you here -- and the entire island -- went through," Gomez said.

The ceremony not only marked an important project milestone to be proud of, it also served as a testimony of the resilience of the hundreds of workers who demonstrated superb professionalism and commitment in the aftermath of major hurricanes, Irma and Maria, said Edgar Hernandez, manager, GSA Caribbean Field Office.

"They've relentlessly pushed forward already cutting in half time delays caused by the 2017 catastrophic events. I take my hat off to them all, from laborers to top management, for a fantastic job well done," Hernandez said.

The $89 million project will include a new FBI field office, annex building for vehicle maintenance, visitor screening facility, and surface parking. GSA awarded the design-build contract to Walsh Group, with lead design firm Wight & Company.

"We are closely working with the FBI to ensure that all of their mission needs are met. Everyone working together on the project agrees that this project will likely be a model for the future, which helps inspire the team," said Mike Hogg, project manager, GSA Region 2.

"This new state of the art field office will enable the FBI to carry out increasingly complex investigations and crisis response, thereby benefiting the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands at a time when they are most in need of law enforcement capability," said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Leff. "The FBI thanks GSA and all of the contractors and workers involved in this project for reaching this impressive pinnacle of progress."

Dignitaries who participated in the topping-out included:

• FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Facilities Andrew Young
• FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Leff
• FBI Project / Portfolio Manager Ronald Rivera
• Walsh Group Senior Vice President Dave Marchiori
• Walsh Group Project Manager Chuck Dyxin
• Wight & Company Principal Floyd Anderson
• Hill International Vice President James Beckett
• GSA Acting Regional Commissioner Darren Gomez
• GSA Caribbean Field Office Manager Edgar Hernandez
• GSA Project Manager Michael Hogg

"The topping off ceremony highlighted a major milestone in completing the building's structure, which means that now we can focus on completing the work inside," said Jaime Quinones, deputy director, GSA Region 2 Project Management Division.

GSA Caribbean Field Office Manager Edgar Hernandez signs a piece of steel to represent the final framework of the new San Juan FBI complex May 30 in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Photograph by Mike Hogg

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Darren Gomez (right), GSA Northeast and Caribbean acting regional commissioner for Public Buildings Service, delivers remarks with Spanish interpretation help from Edgar Hernandez, GSA Caribbean Field Office manager, at the San Juan FBI complex topping-out ceremony May 30 in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Ceremony attendees included FBI dignitaries from Washington, D.C. and the local area, GSA Region 2 employees, and general contractor Walsh Group dignitaries, local workers and subcontractor staff. Photograph by Mike Hogg

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