2009-06-17 | AIT Announces Site Dedication for Future Location

PR-0925E | Date: 06/17/2009

The American Institute in Taiwan takes great pride in announcing the June 22 dedication of the future site of AIT's new office compound on Jinhu Road in Neihu. AIT's new compound, to be built on this site, will be a spacious, state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly structure befitting the robust ties between the people of Taiwan and the people of the United States.

AIT Director Stephen M. Young and Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin will both speak at the site dedication before a distinguished audience of individuals who have played a key role in advancing the many elements of Taiwan's relationship with the United States, including the plans for this new compound.

The total cost of the new compound will be over $170 million (over 5.6 billion Taiwan dollars). It will include an office building of approximately 14,000 square meters, a parking structure and support structures. All of AIT's Taipei offices, including the American Cultural Center, the Commercial Section, the Chinese Language and Area Studies School, and the Agricultural Trade Office, will be, for the first time, located at one site. The 6.5 hectare site is within walking distance of the planned Neihu stop of Taipei's Neihu MRT line.

Design and construction of the new compound will meet the highest standards. Most of the buildings will be finished with natural stone or metal panels on the exterior, with smaller areas of glass curtain wall. The designs include formal landscaping and protection of the existing forest vegetation, most of which will be left untouched.

The compound will be constructed in three stages: rear access road construction, Phase One and Phase Two. Rear access road construction started in March 2009 and will be completed six to nine months after starting. Phase One consists of site clearing and grading, construction of perimeter security systems, vehicular and pedestrian access control facilities, quarters for security personnel, maintenance buildings and surface parking and parking structure.

Weston Solutions, Inc., of West Chester, Pennsylvania, has been awarded the $54.4 million (over 1.7 billion Taiwan dollars) contract for this phase. Phase Two will consist of the construction of the new office building, the contract for which will be awarded at a future date.