Miami-Dade Aviation Authority

Concourse C Level 1 Asbestos Abatement/Demolition/ Renovation

GLE was the prime consultant for a two-phased $1,000,000.00 abatement, demolition and renovation project addressing Level 1 of Concourse C of the Miami International Airport (MIA). During a proposed renovation for the installation of a new baggage handling system, it was discovered that the original 1935 Concourse had been left in place and that a 1965 three-story major addition had been constructed over this concourse. GLE was retained for the project, and initial testing and investigations revealed ACM fireproofing on the structure above the original Concourse and a variety of other ACM in the walls and in the adjacent operating mechanical rooms.

It was discovered that the majority of the wiring for power, lighting, communications and life safety was constructed in the plenum area above the roof and below the fireproofing. The entire plenum area was heavily contaminated. These systems needed to be rerouted and activated before abatement could begin. GLE coordinated the electrical, mechanical, and structural design in addition to providing the abatement and replacement documents.

Phase I was designed and constructed within a firm deadline to avoid the airport having to pay delay damages to one of its users. This phase was designed, bid, and completed within the designated timeframe. The electrical, mechanical and communications lines were rerouted to either non-contaminated areas or to areas, which were abated separately in accordance with the project sequencing. Phase II work also involved the reconstruction of part of the space into occupied areas and involved complete architectural services as part of the task.

The project required intense coordination between various departments of the airport, the user (American Airlines), various Dade County Departments, and the various consultants and required working in a restricted area during specified timeframes. Half of the renovated facility now accommodates the conveyor system for baggage handling operation, while the other half serves as offices and assembly spaces for American Airlines personnel. Two programmatic features included the need to complete this apron level construction without disrupting normal airport activities on the two floors above, and coordinating the baggage conveyor equipment installation with American Airlines’ existing conveyor system without disrupting its operation.

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