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Historic Old City Building Rededicated After $30-Million Renovation

By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The ribbon was cut today on a $30-million project to renovate the US Custom House in Philadelphia.

After a trio sang the National Anthem in the ornate third-floor Tax Court, US congressman Chaka Fattah (D-Phila.) called the 2½-year-long project an investment in the future.

"I know how vitally important it is that we continue to make investments in a whole range of issues, but none more than our infrastructure related to retrofitting and greening our federal buildings," he said today.

fattah et al
(US Rep. Chaka Fattah, left, and two General Services Administration reppresentatives cut the ribbon signaling completion of the building's $30-million renovation. Credit: Lynne Adkins)

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The 17-story building was constructed in the 1930s, and project manager Brian Muller says it's now energy-efficient.

"We replaced 1,200 windows," he tells KYW Newsradio.  "It was masonry restoration, and a major accomplishment was that we installed a green roof."

The building, at Second and Chestnut Streets, houses federal offices.

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