Situation
The University of Pennsylvania’s iconic Franklin Field is one of the oldest stadiums in the country. After 125 years as the host of Quaker athletics, the Penn Relays, and numerous other events, the stadium’s concrete was in need of repair. JJ White was brought in to restore the concrete on the upper south and lower east sections of the stadium.
Challenges
Franklin Field remained open for athletic use and football season during the project. The time schedule also presented challenges, as the entire stadium needed to be ready in time for the Penn Relays in the spring. The concrete holding the stadium together was also the original concrete poured in 1895.
Solutions
JJ White maintained an aggressive schedule in order to complete the job in time for the Penn Relays. Crews pressure washed previous concrete coatings, removed failing sections, and reinforced the rebar throughout the structure.
Results
The Lower East and Upper South sections of Franklin Field’s restoration were completed on-time, within budget, and with zero OSHA recordables. Franklin Field is ready for another 125 years as a premier college stadium. In 2022, the project received the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia’s Grand Jury Award. This honor celebrates the highest level of achievement in historic preservation for:
- Preserving/protecting historic resources in the built environment
- Historic building restoration, rehabilitation, or adaptive re-use
- Sympathetic new construction or additions associated with historic properties
- Documentation of significant historic resources in the built environment
Winners are selected by a jury of preservation professionals.