Base receives $12.8M for building construction

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Hanscom officials received word last week that the base will receive $12.8 million in federal funding for Phase I of a military construction project that will replace building 1600. 

Built in the 1950s, this facility houses personnel from the 554th Electronic Systems Wing, including the 642nd Force Protection Squadron. 

"This is great news," said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "The funding will allow us to construct a 40,000 square foot new structure in the field next to the existing building. 

"We're looking forward to delivering a safe, efficient work environment to the personnel located in building 1600 so that they can focus on their mission without the distractions that go along with working in an aging facility," he said. 

Building 1600 has been plagued by a number of problems, said Chris Perkins, base civil engineer. Among those are an inefficient layout, poor energy efficiency, old electrical wiring, HVAC that needs constant maintenance, a steam line that goes under the building and affects the air conditioning load, veneer brick siding that is falling off the building and termite damaged wood framing. 

"The facility was built prior to the development of the personal computer; the HVAC is not adequately sized and the electrical system cannot fully support computer workstations," Mr. Perkins said. "After looking at all of our options, new construction was found to be the most cost efficient over the life of the project." 

Included in the $12.8 million project will be 40,000 square feet of construction with associated utilities work, fire protection/detection systems, handicapped accessibility, improved energy management and communications systems, site work, exterior work and landscaping. 

"This funding will provide our people with a safe and comfortable work environment," said Frank Weber, 554 ELSW director. "The ensuing boost to morale ultimately means better capability to the warfighters as our employees work more productively in a building they are proud to enter each day." 

Patrick Marr, 642nd Electronic Systems Squadron director, also said the new building would boost morale. 

"A good work environment is critical to recruiting and retaining the best personnel in a workforce. I'm sure that our mission to provide Force Protection solutions to our warfighters will improve as result of this investment in building 1600," he said. "As ESC demonstrated in the recent Operational Readiness Inspection, we have a highly competent and first class workforce, which deserves a first class workplace." 

Mr. Perkins said the Army Corps of Engineers would oversee the $12.8 million project, and estimated the timeline would be to award a design/build effort by August 2008, with phase I construction beginning approximately five to six months later allowing time for the completion of the final design.