Equally challenging was demolishing Building 2, a five-story, 75,000-sq.-ft. structure that shared a common wall and was attached on every floor with Building 1, which was to remain protected. Every floor had to be separated by hand, Bartemio said.

Tons of More Challenges and Then Some

Other major challenges for the project included coordinating the relocation of a 16-in.-high pressure gas main with Xcel Energy, remediation of 30,000 tons of soils, excavating 44,000 cu. yds. of soil corrections, and screening 25,000 cu. yds. of debris contaminated soil for reutilization on the site.

Rachel's multi-million-dollar contract also included asbestos abatement in all the buildings that were razed, crushing thousands of tons of concrete for reuse in new construction at the site, and importing and placing 52,000 cu. yds. of granular borrow. In addition, their work involved a number of site surface removals and restoration, including new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, excavation for two storm water collection ponds, composting, and seeding the site.