With amazingly little fanfare, the long-awaited rehabilitation of the 550,000 square foot Ford Assembly Building and future home of the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park Visitor Center is now underway by APP (Assembly Plant Partners).

Site Demolition and Cleaning are progressing.  Block flooring in the Craneway is removed, asbestos insulation is still being removed and the cleaning of structural members is progressing. The East side (lean-to and stucco building) demolition is underway.

Bids are in and being awarded for roofing, sheet metal, site utilities, painting, windows and storefronts, power washing and cleaning and fire protection. On contracts awarded so far, costs are nearly $3 million under budget.

Amendments to the DDA (Disposition and Development Agreement) have been negotiated and will be considered by the City Council on November 26, 2002.   Upesi Mtambuzi, Division Head of Employment Development and Jake Sloan of APP (Assembly Plant Partners) are working on acceptable program agreements relating to the objectives of the First Source Agreement. 

Related follow-up work regarding the follow-up on-site meeting with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and OES (California State Office of Emergency Services) on November 16, 2002, to “place the facility back into commercial use” has been reviewed with the Program Director of Conversion Management Associates and is an understanding of mutual agreement with the Developer.

Submittals for west side tree removals, sewer site work, and painting have been reviewed and commented.  We are awaiting acceptance of recommendations from the agencies.  The Window Monitor bid package is in the marketplace with some level of flexibility in the final product as a design build.

Key critical path items are:

·         Amendment to the DDA

·         A second review of the Project under the Design Review Board is scheduled for November 13, 2002.

·         A CEQA certificate of compliance was filed with the county which establishes a 35 day comment period.

For additional information contact Rod Satre- Project Manager, Redevelopment Agency at (510) 620-6539