EW Howell Construction Group partnered with architectural design firm H3 on the New York City (NYC) Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Rockaway Operational Headquarters design-build project. The existing 8,600-square-foot building and 1,500-square-foot yard will be demolished, with a temporary swing space being constructed to allow the existing facility to operate throughout construction. In mid-May, we began demolition. This stage of the project, which includes debris removal, has since been completed.

This project requires us to work closely with members of our design-build team, including architects and engineers, as we interface with the client. The design team for this project was issued 75% of the CD set, with IFC set tracking for issuance on July 11. The Public Design Commission approved the preliminary design, which pulled the foundation and new building permits. The final design submission was reviewed in June, with the foundation permit later that month and the new building permit in July.

Layout and piles were set for the first week of September. Timber pile driving activities have been completed for the new building footprint. Pile tension connections were installed as piles tops were cut to elevation in preparation for the first concrete foundation pour before the end of October.

In November, after concrete foundations, concrete shear wells and columns were installed to support the elevated structural concrete deck and steel framing.

As of 2024, concrete foundations were completed. Steel erection is underway and tracking to be completed by the end of May. The next major activity is concrete superstructure consisting of an elevated 12″ arch slab sitting on the already completed concrete columns and shear walls with concrete over metal deck on the south side of the building, allowing us to move into MEPs fully on site and begin installing the building envelope.

We are constructing a new resilient 42,000-square-foot maintenance and operational facility, including a fueling station and parking yard, for the NYC DEP.