Earlier this month, DEN presented to the Denver City Council subcommittee for Business, Arts, Workforce and Aviation to seek approval on the new general contractor/construction management contract. The $195 million contract would run through December 2021 and would allow Hensel Phelps to complete Phase I of the Great Hall Project.
The contract was approved by the subcommittee and is moving to full City Council tonight (February 18) for final approval. If the contract is approved by City Council, DEN plans to begin construction in March once the contract is fully executed.
Hensel Phelps will continue to work with its partner Sky Blue Builders, a small and minority-owned business, to complete Phase I of the project. The first phase of the project will construct the new airline ticket counters in the center of Level 6, widen the balconies for the future TSA checkpoints on Level 6, upgrade and modernize the escalators and add two new restrooms on both the east and west sides. DEN estimates that the first phase will be substantially complete in Q4 2021.
Great Hall Construction Updates
As DEN gets ready to resume construction of Phase I of the Great Hall in March, crews have been hard at work preparing for this big lift! But a lot has already been happening this year, including:
We have begun preparations to install taller walls (eight feet high) on the north and south bridges overlooking the construction activity below on Level 5. These walls will increase safety for passengers and workers and have plenty of observation windows, so everyone can see how the construction is progressing.
The team has been weatherproofing the exterior areas on Levels 4, 5 and 6 to ensure the site is protected from the outdoor elements. Also, fireproofing plastic is being repaired and reinstalled and temporary heat is being provided to areas where heat supply was previously removed, leaving existing water and sprinkler lines susceptible to freezing temperatures.
Construction crews are making additional safety provisions and switching the swing of construction site access doors inwards, protecting passengers and the public, while giving everyone a little more space.
Materials deliveries are ramping up to prepare for Phase I construction to resume. Trucks will be staged at night on the west side of Level 4 for a few weeks, followed by similar closures on the east side. If you see trucks, barricades and flaggers on Level 4 in the passenger pick-up area, please follow signage and directions to move around this space. Crews will be more than happy to help you navigate your way.
