Renovations to the U.S. Custom House

Project: Renovations to the U.S. Custom House

Customer: Department of Homeland Security –Customs and Border Protection

Timeline: Design: June 2017 to July 2018

Key Challenge: The U.S. Customs House building is located at the intersection of Union and De Maternillostreets, on the Fajardo oceanfront, its construction dating back to the 1920s. Designed by Albert B. Nichols in Spanish Colonial-Revival style, the building has undergone several renovations over the years due to the changing nature of its operations as well as to its proximity to the sea, which have caused corrosion to be a significant deteriorating element of the structure.The renovations to the building had tomeet the Agency’s mission requirements while preserving its historical context.

Solution Approach: Klein Engineering, PSC was responsible for boundary survey, topographic, and as-built plans of the property and surrounding infrastructure; architectural, structural, MEP, and security design for the proposed renovations; historical context research and coordination with SHPO for the recommendations to be included as part of the design work; coordination of lead and asbestos studies, destructive and nondestructive testing of the existing structure, and utilities connection and capacity.

Overall Budget: Not Available

Key Partners: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Results: The project’s 100% construction documents were submitted in July, 2018 and the construction of the proposed renovations has been completed.The KEPSCteamis excited to seethe results of the design work done forthis beautiful piece of our national patrimony.