RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Joan Morris 703-383-2465 joan.morris@virginiadot.org Steve Titunik 703-383-2055

NOVA-04-26 June 10, 2004

VDOT Completes Hunting Terrace Ceiling Replacement Project on Schedule

Alexandria – The final group of residents returned to refurbished homes at Hunting Terrace Apartments earlier this week, marking the completion of VDOT’s 116-unit ceiling replacement project for the five-building complex that began eight weeks ago.

“Throughout this episode, VDOT’s top priority has been the safety of residents at Hunting Terrace,” said Steve Titunik, a VDOT employee not directly working on the Wilson Bridge Project who served as an advocate for residents during the replacement project. “We thank each and every one of them for their patience and understanding over these trying weeks.”

In late 2001, VDOT acquired Hunting Terrace Apartments to enable easier access to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project construction area and provide residents with a hands-on ownership group that would be able to quickly resolve any issues that developed between residents and one of the largest construction projects in the nation.

In March 2004, VDOT became aware that ceilings in the Hunting Terrace apartments were not adequately affixed to the joists of the buildings and therefore posed a potential danger to residents. Construction vibrations exacerbated this pre-existing problem, and cracking and loosening of ceilings occurred in two of the units in the 50-year-old buildings. As soon as an initial inspection made clear the dimensions of the previously unknown ceiling problems, VDOT halted construction activity in the vicinity of the Hunting Terrace Apartments and decided to temporarily move all residents to repair and make safe all 116 units, beginning April 12. Ninety-nine of the units were occupied, 15 were vacant, and one is a commercial hair salon.

Approximately 135 residents temporarily moved during the phased ceiling replacement project. Each week residents from one of the three wings of each building were moved for approximately six days to an Alexandria area hotel or to a furnished apartment in the adjacent Hunting Towers, while their personal property was professionally packed and stored in the moving contractor’s climate-controlled and secure storage facility. Repair crews replaced all ceilings to current building code, checked and performed maintenance on air conditioner units and smoke alarms, re-painted walls, shampooed carpets, repaired window screens and refinished hardwood floors.

The estimated cost of the repairs was budgeted at nearly $1.1 million. VDOT estimates that once final invoices are submitted and paid, the total project cost will be approximately $925,000, 15-20 percent under budget.

To ensure Hunting Terrace Apartments provide a safe environment to residents, VDOT and consulting engineers will continually monitor construction noise and vibration to ensure units are safe. VDOT continues to work closely with building management to ensure residents enjoy their homes while construction on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project progresses.

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