WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. (June 24, 2015) -- The Arsenal announced today a $27 million program that will upgrade critical facilities, some of which date back to the mid-1800s, said the chief of public works.
"Trying to maintain the infrastructure of a 202-year-old Army arsenal is extremely difficult," said Michael Wright. "But at a certain point, we had no choice but to make tough decisions to reinvest a significant amount of resources into the upgrade of the Arsenal's critical infrastructure, such as water and power."
There are six major projects that go into this $27 million of investments. The projects are: replacement of the main water lines that were installed just prior to World War I; renovation of a building that was built in 1848 that currently houses the Arsenal's firehouse; install new fire suppression system and electrical upgrade in the Big Gun Shop that was built in 1888; replace main power substation that was installed in 1959; install new backup generators for main power station; and repairs to several family housing units that were built during the mid- to late 1800s.
The general contractors for the two largest contracts are both New York companies. Oddo Construction Services LLC, Amherst, N.Y., is installing the new electrical power substation and Strock Enterprises Ltd., Cheektowaga, N.Y., is replacing the water lines.
Due in part to Sequestration, which is the financial burden placed on the Department of Defense as part of Congress' Budget Control Act of 2011, the Arsenal's annual investment in its infrastructure dropped from approximately $4.5 million in 2012 to $2.4 million a year for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. That money barely held the line on routine maintenance and repair of the 202-year-old Army manufacturing center.
Given that the Arsenal is valued at $1.6 billion, has 72 buildings, some of which are heavy manufacturing buildings, $2.4 million did not go very far, as it represented less than two-tenths of one percent of the Arsenal's net value.
What makes these projects even more challenging is the Arsenal will coordinate and supervise this significant increase in public works requirements with no additions to its workforce.
"Will it be tough to execute with a limited-sized staff," Wright said restating a question posed to him. "Absolutely, but I have a well-experienced team who truly understand that this size of investment does not come very often and therefore, they will do everything they can to make these projects successful."
Some of these contracts will flow into fiscal year 2016, which starts on October 1, Wright said. And, these projects came about only after years of planning and were ready to implement once funding was approved.
For example, the $4.3 million main power generation substation project was first conceived six years ago, said James Uram, the Arsenal's lead electrical technician who has oversight of the project.
"We knew that when the main substation hit its 50th year of operation in 2009 that it was time to have the old technology replaced," Uram said. "The new substation will increase the reliability of the power supply, improve efficiency of the flow of electricity, and will give us more flexibility in how we provide power to the Arsenal."
The plus-up funding is mainly due to a decision this year at the Arsenal's four-star headquarters, the Army Materiel Command, to fund critical infrastructure needs across the command that were, in federal terms, shovel-ready to execute. Because some of these Arsenal projects were very costly, they have languished in one planning phase or another for years because the Arsenal could not afford to execute those plans without additional funding.
Understanding that this funding is a one-time deal, the Arsenal is maximizing every dollar of it and is making plans to execute other critical infrastructure improvements, if and when additional funding comes through in fiscal year 2016. Its shovels are ready.
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The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned-and-operated manufacturing facility and is the oldest, continuously operating arsenal in the United States, having begun operations during the War of 1812. It celebrated its 200th anniversary in July 2013.
Today's Arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high-tech, high-powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems. This National Historic Registered Landmark has an annual economic benefit to the local community in excess of $90 million, and its 2014 revenue was about $117 million.
Related Links:
Arsenal Story: 200 years later, still in search of perfection
Arsenal Story:Top Army adviser tours, challenges Arsenal to better protect, use resources
Watervliet Arsenal Slideshare Page
Watervliet Arsenal YouTube Page
Watervliet Arsenal Twitter Page
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