National Archives Building Renovation Under Way

A two-year, $75.7 million renovation of the National Archives Building is under way, with 90 percent estimated to reach completion by July 1, 2003. Grunley Construction of Rockville, Md., has been contracted to renovate 300,000 sf of public and office space, including the rotunda, staircase, roof, installation of an elevator, and construction of a $7 million privately funded 294-seat theater. The Archive's operational and mechanical equipment will be updated and storage areas between floors will be removed and replaced. A trap door concealing a vault holding the original documents will be built into the wall supporting the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Wheelchair accessibility and the environmental cleanliness necessary for preservation of permanent records are key factors in the redevelopment, which will increase airflow throughout the building and expand exhibit hall space. The display of re-encased historical documents will reopen on July 4, 2003. During the renovation Archive employees will be shifted to 20,000 sf of swing space.