'I Helped Build the Stadium'

By Hamil R. Harris
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 28, 2008

Soon it will be the workplace for Ryan Zimmerman, Dmitri Young and other members of the Washington Nationals. But for nearly two years, the sprawling site off South Capitol Street SE was the domain of men and women who wore hard hats instead of baseball helmets, leather boots instead of spikes.

People such as Theodore Richmond, who helped pour the concrete for Nationals Park. And Christopher Shrewsberry, who helped put in thousands of seats. And Veronica Salas, who made sure the workers were lined up and ready for their latest assignments.

More than 2,700 people helped build the ballpark -- immigrants, war veterans, people on their first jobs, longtime D.C. residents, tradesmen and women who traveled hundreds of miles for a chance to work on the project. Electricians, ironworkers, carpenters, plumbers, laborers, you name it, tended to the details. They celebrated last summer when the last beam was put in place by construction workers. History was being made, an electrician said at the time. Then everyone went back to work on the plumbing, wiring and other tasks that were yet to be done.

Many will be in the stands this weekend, watching the game unfold under the lights they installed not so long ago. Others will watch from home. Now, their work nearly complete, they looked back on their part in creating baseball's newest showplace.

"During the first phase, I helped pour the concrete. In the second phase, I did the insulation. In the third phase, I am installing TVs, desks, anything to do with the offices. . . . There aren't a lot of things that you can be proud of in your life. I think that this will be one of the things. It will be something that I can show my kids years down the road. I helped build the stadium. . . . This will be one of my war stories. I've never been to war, but this will be one of the stories that I will be telling."

Theodore Richmond, 33

Southeast Washington, Laborer

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"We did the scoreboard. It is a beautiful thing to look at that big screen."

Herbert Brown, 57

Northeast Washington,

Electrician apprentice

"I just love being a laborer out here in D.C. The hardest job I had here was the furniture. . . . You have a lot of expectations. There is a lot to do here and they expect you to pull your weight. If you don't pull your weight, then don't bother to come to work."

Alphonso Smith III, 40

Northeast Washington, Laborer

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"I think this is a good project because Latinos and African Americans are working together. Our workers are proud of this project. Even apprentices come here to practice and learn more. It is a sense of pride. . . . Our members are happy to be part of this."

Veronica Salas, 32

Staff, Laborers' International

Union of North America

"I am putting in the fiber-optic cable for the camera setup to capture the speed of the ball. I'm a Nats fan. This means a lot. There is a lot of history around here. I will bring my kids here when they get a little older."

George Kerr

Indian Head, Electrician

* * *

"We have people from all over the area with all types of skill sets, from electricians to carpenters to laborers. You bring them together with a plan and they will make it happen because they have a lot of pride in the city. Certainly, Opening Day will be the key that brings it all together. It is putting the cherry on the top."

Matt Haas, 33

Project Executive, Clark Construction