Glendale officials: downtown campus nearing substantial completion; work continues on plaza, amphitheater and utilities

City Architect Eddie Garcia provided an update on the Downtown Campus Reinvestment Project during the Glendale City Council workshop on Oct. 28, describing increased site activity and a schedule that leaves “a little less a little over 6 months to go till we get to substantial completion.”

The presentation highlighted several exterior and site items: curb and gutter work and a recently poured bus lane on Glendale Avenue that has reduced the street to one westbound lane, ongoing grading and site wall construction around the amphitheater bowl, and demolition activity in Murphy Park being conducted in quadrants. Garcia said benches, statues and other public art elements identified in earlier meetings have been removed and stored during demolition.

Garcia also described work immediately adjacent to the bus lane that will become an entry plaza over the top of an existing tunnel: crews are preparing the tunnel for waterproofing and an additional concrete layer that will form sidewalks, stairs and a platform. On the structure, the project team is installing screen walls on stair elements and on the roof to screen mechanical equipment while allowing airflow. "They're providing some screening to the elements behind it, but they're also providing some transparency for security," Garcia said.

Inside the building, Garcia reported drywall and ceiling work on the first floor and millwork installation on upper floors. Elevator shafts and cab platforms are in place; staff said the first two elevators should be operational in a few weeks for construction conveyance, with a third (service) elevator to follow. Mechanical systems are active on levels 3 and 4; staff plan to activate levels 1 and 2 next month to control humidity for interior finishes and furnishings. Garcia said crews expect to connect fiber and begin setting up the network architecture “as early as next week.”

Garcia noted the roof system performed well during a recent storm with no leaks detected in the council chambers or main building. Remaining exterior work includes installation of metal cladding and some flashing and coping details. He asked for patience as perimeter barricades and construction fencing remain in place for safety while crews complete the remaining work.

Council members asked staff to confirm the number and placement of flagpoles; Garcia said the DCRP will include six new poles at city hall and council entries plus a refurbished, tall flagpole in Murphy Park, for a total of seven flags associated with the project. Several council members thanked staff and the contractor after merchants raised concerns earlier in the project when fencing and temporary loss of parking affected business frontage. Garcia said staff continue to coordinate with contractors to restore lanes and adjust fencing where safe to do so.

No formal action was taken at the workshop. Garcia closed by reiterating the schedule and the amount of remaining work between now and the target completion window.