Archived News Release from 2004

For Immediate Release

Nearly 4 Million Pounds of Steel Scheduled for Delivery to Garage/Retail-Cinema Project Site

Redwood City, CA - October 12 , 2004 - The worldwide market for construction-grade steel has increased dramatically in 2004, reportedly largely due to demand in China – and that far-away demand has made it difficult for local construction projects to get the steel they need. The progress of work on Redwood City’s downtown public garage/retail-cinema project has been affected by this heavy demand – but the City has been informed by the developer that nearly four million pounds of steel is now on the way, and is scheduled to begin arriving by the end of October.

Once the steel arrives and is staged, the public will be witness to a flurry of activity in “the big hole” downtown as the steel beams and girders are put into place with a large crane. The construction on this phase of the project is expected to begin during the second week of November, and it should take approximately 50 working days to complete the skeletal frame of what will become the retail-cinema project. The expected schedule is of course subject to weather and other variables.

The developer reports that the necessary 3.6 million pounds of steel costs approximately $3 million – the vast majority of this is not a City cost, as most of the steel is for the above-ground structure that comprises the retail-cinema project. The source of the steel is about 95% domestic. Another interesting statistic is that the garage portion of the project includes about $8.15 million worth of concrete, supplied entirely by a local company, so the City has effectively kept the sales tax local and kept local companies busy - a real plus for economic development in Redwood City.

The City asks for the patience and understanding of motorists and downtown businesses and residents during street or lane closures on Broadway and Jefferson as the steel is delivered and off-loaded. These will be short-term inconveniences, and will be publicized once schedules are more firm. Motorists and pedestrians in the area are asked to exercise additional caution, and to be aware of trucks, equipment, and workers going into and out of the construction site. Appropriate signage will be in place directing motorists of closures or detours, and notifications will be distributed to downtown businesses and residents to help them cope with this temporary inconvenience.

Anyone with Internet access can view the ongoing work via the City’s new construction project webcam, by visiting www.redwoodcity.org/webcam. This webcam will remain active for the duration of the entire project, from the garage excavation through completion of the retail-cinema project.

Information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and City government is also available at www.redwoodcity.org.

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Contact:
Brian Lee
Senior Civil Engineer
650-780-7380