Statue of Liberty National Monument Upgrades Pose “Monumental” Challenges for Construction Team
Local New Jersey-based contractor makes nearly impossible upgrades to American national treasure, simultaneously improving life and safety features and solving logistical challenges of reconfiguring interior of the 19th-century structure.
New York, NY, November 12, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation, retained by the National Park Service (NPS), is nearing completion on life and visitor safety upgrades to the Statue of Liberty National Monument. The Statue closed in October 2011 to undergo this work and reopened October 28, 2012, the 126th anniversary of its original dedication. The international symbol of freedom continues its legacy of welcoming visitors from all over the world with a safer, more comfortable experience. The contractor solved many physical challenges inherent to the project, in addition to added security and the logistical issues of building on an island in New York Harbor.
The upgrades were extremely difficult due to the limited workspace in the interior of the pedestal, and the need to protect historic features of the structure. Added issues of security checks, materials delivery and maintaining an unobstructed view of the Statue for its 5,000 to 10,000+ daily visitors made the contractor’s job more challenging.
Superintendent Dave Luchsinger of the NPS stated, “The current life and safety upgrades to the Statue of Liberty National Monument were necessary to ensure that the nearly four million annual visitors to this global icon of freedom are safer and more comfortable. Completing these upgrades was extremely challenging. Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation has successfully accomplished this work through skillful expertise and painstaking execution.”
“The physical and logistical obstacles we faced with this project weren’t easily solved,” said Paul Natoli, President and CEO of Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation. “Having done prior work to early twentieth-century buildings on Ellis Island and to the Statue of Liberty, we knew the site and how to work with this national monument.” Mr. Natoli says the team’s strategy is at the core of their company identity. “Our team is knowledgeable, proficient, and dedicated to creative problem-solving.” In 2004, the contractor performed the initial life safety upgrades necessary to re-open the Monument after the events of 9/11.
For the current project, the contractor built new interior and exterior stairs and new elevators, making it easier for visitors to ascend to the pedestal’s observation level, which is wheelchair accessible for the first time. From the top level of the pedestal, visitors can view the double helix stairs leading to the Statue’s crown as well as the support system designed by renowned French architect and engineer Gustave Eiffel. A new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system creates a more comfortable environment as visitors ascend or descend the stairs.
An American Dream
Paul Natoli – son of company founder Joseph A. Natoli – is a second generation Italian-American, whose grandfather’s name is on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island. “Knowing the significance of the Statue of Liberty for my grandfather, our family and our nation, makes me immensely proud to do this work,” says Natoli. “It’s an American dream for our company to help preserve such a significant part of our nation’s heritage for my children and future generations.”
Significant Challenges
Because the Statue is located on Liberty Island, which is not accessible by bridge or tunnel, all construction materials were delivered two to three times daily by barge and underwent security sweeps by United States Park Police. Construction crewmembers faced the same tight security.
Physical challenges presented by the national monument’s historic features and original design further complicated the project. The NPS required that the crew not attach to the original structural Eiffel beams at all. To build the new emergency elevator, the team reused existing attachment points of the previous elevator from 1986, as new attachments could damage the historic structure.
The pedestal’s tight, 27 feet square interior created additional obstacles for the team, who used a temporary scaffold to rebuild all six levels of the pedestal and the observation deck, from the ground up.
All concrete was poured in place. The concrete walls of the elevator shaft were poured down through the 150-foot-tall, constricted, windowless interior of the pedestal. Natoli worked with the concrete company to create an admixture to keep the concrete from setting inside the trucks before being delivered by barge to the site.
About Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation
Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation is a full-service contractor/construction manager with broad experience building for private commercial companies, medical and educational institutions, hotels and other projects throughout New Jersey. Founded in 1975, the company has done work for such prestigious clients as The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, New York Football Giants, Delbarton School and Rutgers University.
Contact: Tami Hausman
hausman@hausmanllc.com
646.742.1700
The upgrades were extremely difficult due to the limited workspace in the interior of the pedestal, and the need to protect historic features of the structure. Added issues of security checks, materials delivery and maintaining an unobstructed view of the Statue for its 5,000 to 10,000+ daily visitors made the contractor’s job more challenging.
Superintendent Dave Luchsinger of the NPS stated, “The current life and safety upgrades to the Statue of Liberty National Monument were necessary to ensure that the nearly four million annual visitors to this global icon of freedom are safer and more comfortable. Completing these upgrades was extremely challenging. Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation has successfully accomplished this work through skillful expertise and painstaking execution.”
“The physical and logistical obstacles we faced with this project weren’t easily solved,” said Paul Natoli, President and CEO of Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation. “Having done prior work to early twentieth-century buildings on Ellis Island and to the Statue of Liberty, we knew the site and how to work with this national monument.” Mr. Natoli says the team’s strategy is at the core of their company identity. “Our team is knowledgeable, proficient, and dedicated to creative problem-solving.” In 2004, the contractor performed the initial life safety upgrades necessary to re-open the Monument after the events of 9/11.
For the current project, the contractor built new interior and exterior stairs and new elevators, making it easier for visitors to ascend to the pedestal’s observation level, which is wheelchair accessible for the first time. From the top level of the pedestal, visitors can view the double helix stairs leading to the Statue’s crown as well as the support system designed by renowned French architect and engineer Gustave Eiffel. A new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system creates a more comfortable environment as visitors ascend or descend the stairs.
An American Dream
Paul Natoli – son of company founder Joseph A. Natoli – is a second generation Italian-American, whose grandfather’s name is on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island. “Knowing the significance of the Statue of Liberty for my grandfather, our family and our nation, makes me immensely proud to do this work,” says Natoli. “It’s an American dream for our company to help preserve such a significant part of our nation’s heritage for my children and future generations.”
Significant Challenges
Because the Statue is located on Liberty Island, which is not accessible by bridge or tunnel, all construction materials were delivered two to three times daily by barge and underwent security sweeps by United States Park Police. Construction crewmembers faced the same tight security.
Physical challenges presented by the national monument’s historic features and original design further complicated the project. The NPS required that the crew not attach to the original structural Eiffel beams at all. To build the new emergency elevator, the team reused existing attachment points of the previous elevator from 1986, as new attachments could damage the historic structure.
The pedestal’s tight, 27 feet square interior created additional obstacles for the team, who used a temporary scaffold to rebuild all six levels of the pedestal and the observation deck, from the ground up.
All concrete was poured in place. The concrete walls of the elevator shaft were poured down through the 150-foot-tall, constricted, windowless interior of the pedestal. Natoli worked with the concrete company to create an admixture to keep the concrete from setting inside the trucks before being delivered by barge to the site.
About Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation
Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation is a full-service contractor/construction manager with broad experience building for private commercial companies, medical and educational institutions, hotels and other projects throughout New Jersey. Founded in 1975, the company has done work for such prestigious clients as The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, New York Football Giants, Delbarton School and Rutgers University.
Contact: Tami Hausman
hausman@hausmanllc.com
646.742.1700
Contact
Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation
Contact Hausman LLC - Tami Hausman
646.742.1700
www.jnatoli.com
Contact Hausman LLC - Tami Hausman
646.742.1700
www.jnatoli.com
Contact
Categories