FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Despite budget uncertainties and restrictions, Fort Carson completed a number of construction projects in fiscal 2013.
Construction projects fall under two categories: sustainment, restoration and modernization, which is handled through the Directorate of Public Works; and military construction, which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
On the SRM front, Fort Carson accomplished 47 projects for more than $16 million and obligated 96 projects for close to $5 million in customer-funded work.
"(Fiscal) '13 was a challenging year as we remained flexible and agile through funding and rules changes," said Joe Wyka, Directorate of Public Works Engineering Division chief. "Our great relationships with customers, other directorates and the Mission Contracting Command allowed us to still execute super projects for our customers."
Some of the more high-visibility projects DPW worked on included:
--Conversion of part of the old commissary to a modernized central issue facility -- this project will allow Soldiers to draw TA-50 and CIF gear from one facility. It includes a large fitting room, an efficient process flow for Soldiers and improved administrative area for CIF staff. The facility is expected to open this winter.
--Completion of Townsend and Northside reservoirs rehabilitation -- This project was to rehabilitate the dam at Northside and Townsend reservoirs. Townsend is now fully open for fishermen and is heavily used throughout the week. Northside was also completed, but, the work required the reservoir to be drained and it will require time before all of the wildlife is re-established.
--A covered patio area was added to the Hub, building 1532, in July 2013 -- The covered patio allows for outdoor parties, barbecuing, big screen TV and improved landscaping, to enhance the community event center.
--Demolition of several Old Hospital Complex buildings -- These buildings, adjacent to Mekong Street, the Elkhorn Catering and Conference Center and building 6236, are being torn down to make way for more Family housing and parks. The majority of the demolition work took place in fiscal '13 and completion is anticipated this winter.
--Renovation of building 813 for the Disability Evaluation System Office -- The DPW effort included renovating bathrooms, upgrading communications networks and repairing offices to allow the office to move from building 5510 into a new space to better serve Soldiers and Families. The renovation was completed in July.
According to Tom Wiersma, DPW master planner, fiscal 2011-funded MILCON projects finished this past fiscal year cost $147 million and included:
--Several projects for the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), including a new unit operations building
--Company operations building and motor pool at Ellis Street and Magrath Avenue
--Battalion headquarters at Specker Avenue and O'Connell Boulevard
--Brigade headquarters facility for the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
--Brigade headquarters facility for the 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div.
--Battalion headquarters building for the 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
Near Butts Army Airfield, current 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., projects are also well underway, including construction of the control tower, the 404th Aviation Support Battalion maintenance hangar, the CAB brigade headquarters and barracks buildings, and the roadwork and utilities improvements at the airfield. The fiscal 2012 MILCON funding for work on the CAB footprint this fiscal year was about $195 million.
There were also several small studies and many infrastructure improvements that totaled $7.1 million in fiscal funding, including one major infrastructure project, the "Smart Power Infrastructure Demonstration for Energy Reliability and Security," that cost $7 million.
The SPIDERS system is designed to secure energy to the core areas of the installation, including the 4th Inf. Div. Headquarters, Network Enterprise Center and fire department during a potential energy outage.
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