The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Directorate of Public Works staff are analyzing the base's buildings in an effort to identify and reduce excess facilities and use them more effectively.
In a new Army campaign initiated by Executive Order 164-15, employees will examine JBM-HH's property to bring down costs through more efficient use of the joint base's buildings.
"The Army has always emphasized the efficient use of facilities and the infrastructure in order to conserve space and to minimize the facility maintenance cost," said Bonsok Escobar, director of public works. "Within that objective, one is to allocate a sufficient amount of spaces for Soldiers and civilians who work on the base."
The plan will commence in two phases: first, DPW will analyze the base's existing buildings on the Fort Myer, Henderson Hall and Fort McNair portions of the joint base. DPW will determine whether the space is being used effectively, then update plans to rearrange and consolidate according to Army standards. The second phase will then be to implement that plan from Fiscal Year 2016 to Fiscal Year 2021.
Analysis began in mid-May and is scheduled to be completed by June 30, Escobar said.
"Over the years, facilities remain static, while activities and population vary and fluctuate," he said. "When you review the amount of spaces occupied, what you'll see is the situation in which either the tenants are occupying just the right amount of space, using space in excess of their authorized allotments, or sometimes they're in facilities smaller than what they're allotted."
In an email to the Pentagram, Escobar wrote that he estimates about 20 buildings will be considered for the space utilization survey. Such a survey would focus on "general administrative" facilities, he said.
"If spaces are identified to be excess, our next task is to see if we can reutilize the space for activities that currently don't have enough square footage," he said. "The objective is not to wantonly go out and reduce or demolish facilities. The objective is to achieve efficient utilization of existing spaces."
According to Escobar, the joint base has about a dozen acres or less of buildable land.
"As everyone knows, we don't have much real estate here," he wrote in an email.
But he also said the joint base does not have many unused buildings or spaces.
"We don't have very many excess buildings between Fort McNair, Fort Myer and Henderson Hall," he said, adding that his observation would be verified through detailed, specific analysis.
Escobar stressed that there were no quotas or numerical targets required to be met under the executive order.
"Everyone can be assured that we will use a rational and objective methods to evaluate the current utilization of spaces, and we will try not to inconvenience people any more than we have to," he said.
Editor's note: Confirmed facility renovation or demolition plans will be published in future editions.
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