Nov. 2004

(Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia) – Efforts to meet an early completion date in September 2005 are apparent at the new U.S. Embassy compound. ZCC contracted with the U.S. Department of State in late 2002 to design and construct the $50 million design/build compound. The project is part of the State Department’s new embassy construction program that involves development and construction of more than 70 new embassy complexes worldwide over the next 10 years.

“We have an excellent team,” said Project Manager Kirk Richter. “I have the utmost confidence that we’ll meet the early project completion date.”

Structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical activities are progressing at a fast pace as the team pushes to the finish line. All structural works were completed on the main Chancery building in May, letting the team turn their attention to the Compound Access Control buildings, Utility Building and Marine Guard Quarters. Stone cladding at the Chancery building is also taking shape. The stone, supplied from Vietnam, Italy and Egypt, is being installed immediately upon delivery to the jobsite.

If the project remains ahead of schedule, final commissioning and accreditation by the State Department will begin in spring 2005. In addition to meeting the milestones of the project’s construction schedule, the embassy team also met and exceeded its community service milestones. In partnership with Pisnoka, a local Cambodian subcontractor, the ZCC team continues to work on the remediation of the retention pond at the nearby White Lotus Girls’ Home.

“Most of our American staff has lived in Cambodia for more than a year now, and we have all come to realize just how fortunate we are as Americans,” said Richter. “We’re pleased to have found ways to provide support to the girls at the Home, to help lift their spirits and give them hope for the future.”

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