The Pentagon Renovation Program

The Pentagon, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992, has never undergone a major renovation and, after more than 55 years, renovation is essential in order to meet current health, fire, and life safety codes and provide reliable electrical, air conditioning, and ventilating services. Absent a major renovation, the building infrastructure will become increasingly unreliable and soon unable to effectively support the headquarters and nerve center of the national military establishment. Major building systems have deteriorated to such an extent that repairs are no longer effective and entire systems need replacement. The presence of asbestos in the ceiling plaster, ventilating ducts, pipes, and floor coverings is a hazard that makes repairs or alterations extremely disruptive and expensive.

From 1982 through 1990, the Department of Defense discussed with the General Services Administration (then owner of the building) renovation of the Pentagon and, in the mid 1980’s, GSA supported the concept of transferring the building to the DoD.

The Transfer

Based on consultation within the Administration and with Congressional Committees, legislation was prepared to transfer the Pentagon from the Administrator of General Services to the Secretary of Defense so that the renovation of the Pentagon could be undertaken.

The Defense Authorization Act of FY 1991 transferred control of the Pentagon Reservation from the Adminsistrator of General Services to the Secretary of Defense. Under the same Act, Congress established the Pentagon Reservation Maintenance Revolving Fund for the expressed intent of renovating the Pentagon. This Act allows the Secretary of Defense to establish rent rates for the tenants to support the renovation.

The Program

In 1990, a Concept Plan for the Pentagon Renovation was approved based on renovating the building in five 1,000,000 gross-square-foot "wedges" with renovation of the basement as a separate endeavor. The plan envisioned the complete removal of all support systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) down to the base structure and then construction of all new systems. This full-scale removal is dictated by the wide-spread presence of asbestos throughout the building. Removal of plumbing systems is based on the high probability of catastrophic failure.

The Renovation Program provides all new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, sprinkler systems, vertical transportation, cable management systems, improvements in fire and life safety systems, and flexible ceiling, lighting, and partition systems. The renovation will also provide accessibility throughout for persons with disabilities and will include the addition of over 50 elevators. It will preserve historic elements, upgrade food service facilities, construct co-located operation centers, install modern telecommunications support features, comply with energy conservation and environmental requirements, reorganize materials handling, and provide safety improvements in vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Renovations Begin

The renovation concept for the Pentagon includes, as a first phase, a new Heating and Refrigeration Plant (H&RP), which has been constructed. In conjunction with construction of the H&RP, a Center Courtyard Utilities Tunnel was constructed. The tunnel houses piping and conduit, which will distribute building utilities provided by the new plant. The utilities tunnel will be connected as each wedge is renovated.

The second phase of the Program involves the renovation of the Basement and Mezzanine, which started in September 1994. One third of the Basement has been renovated with many areas now occupied. The original basement slab was lowered in order to accommodate an entirely new level between the basement and the first floor. When completed, this new Mezzanine level will add close to 320,000 square feet of office space to the Pentagon.

The third through seventh phases of the program are the five wedges of the building from the first floor to the fifth floor. These areas have been determined to be the optimum divisions for renovation while continuing operations. In order to vacate each wedge prior to renovation, tenants will be moved either to nearby leased office space or to space identified within the Pentagon.

Wedge I, the area served by Corridors 3 and 4, was completely vacated by January 1999 as more than 5,000 personnel were relocated to leased office space or elsewhere in the Pentagon. Demolition and abatement activities began in January 1998 and will be completed by mid 1999. The construction contractor is installing all new utilities and will build up the wedge. Tenants may begin moving back into the wedge as early as the summer of 2000. Construction in Wedge I is expected to be completed in December 2000.

Another major project underway is the South Terrace Pedestrian Bridge structure. This renovation activity involves the construction of two pedestrian bridges that will link the Pentagon directly to the South Parking Lot. The Corridor 2 Bridge is nearing completion and has provided safe access for pedestrians since the spring of 1999. Two elevators in each bridge will provide accessibility for persons with disabilities. Once the bridges are completed, the 7,000 personnel that enter and exit the Pentagon along the South Terrace each day will no longer compete with three lanes of traffic when entering or exiting the Pentagon.

Status

On January 15, 1997, as required by Congress, the Pentagon’s Director for Administration and Management certified that the design, construction, and installation of (building) equipment would not exceed $1,118,000,000.

Overall, the impact of the Pentagon Renovation Program can now be seen throughout the building. When completed, all of the Pentagon’s 23,000 military and civilian personnel will be able to work in a safe, professional, and flexible office environment that is being built to endure well into the 21st century. For the most up-to-date information about renovation activities, please visit our website at http://renovation.pentagon.mil/.

Back to top