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Project Updates

What’s going on behind the fence? Learn more about the latest progress as the new home of the GSE takes shape.

View of the north building after center core removal, from the south building fourth floor

Wait! Where is the old auditorium? View of the north building after center core removal, from the south building fourth floor

January–February 2024

  • North building center core (former auditorium plus south-facing rooms) is removed to make way for construction of the forum.
  • South building structural steel, metal decking, and steel stairway completed.
  • South building interior wall framing begins.
Steel beams are being installed on the South building

With daily deliveries of structural steel, the new south building takes shape rapidly.

October–November 2023

  • Construction of the steel structure for the south building gets underway in early October, with placement of the final beam ("Topping Off") on October 31.
  • Excavation for the sunken garden is completed.
  • Shoring up of the north building begins, in preparation for reconfiguration of interior spaces.
Construction site

The site of the new south building, viewed from the third floor of the north building

August-September 2023

  • Permits are issued by the county. 
  • Construction of the new south building begins!
  • Dirt hauling from excavation work continues; excavation of the sunken garden begins.
  • Rebar delivery and concrete pouring begin.
  • Utility work continues along Lasuen Mall.
Construction site with North building roof tiles being removed

Removing the roof tiles from the historic north building

June-July 2023

  • North building roof tiles are removed and salvaged for reinstallation later. 
  • An existing PG&E gas line needs to be relocated because it runs under the south building site.
  • Utility work includes tie-ins to lake water for irrigation, replacing power lines, and adding hot water pipes.
  • Asbestos abatement is completed in the north building.

In March of 2023, the building adjacent to the historic Barnum building was demolished (and a palm tree relocated!) to make way for construction of the new south building. 

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