An 18-month, $25 million project inside the Charles E. Bennett Federal Building on West Bay Street is nearly finished.
Project representatives said Friday the building will be ready for occupants by mid-August.
“They’ve really done a fantastic job with the building,” said Maria Coppola, a spokesperson for contractor Skanska USA Building, Inc. “This was the biggest abatement project in the state.”
Project manager Joe McDade agreed, though he stressed the scope of work included more than just removing asbestos.
“We’re calling it a remodel/modernization project,” he said.
McDade said a new HVAC system was installed, walls torn down and the previous ceilings replaced.
“The improvements are long overdue and we’re sure they will help better serve the building’s tenants,” he said.
When it re-opens, the Bennett Building will house employees from HUD, OSHA, the Department of Labor and other federal offices.