TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. -- The days of vintage red and green floor tiles in the hallways of Building 11 are numbered as Tobyhanna Army Depot forges ahead with plans to modernize multiple levels of the administration building, among other things.
It's the time of year when it seems like everything is under construction. The sights and sounds of heavy equipment and workers laboring at numerous locations typify how a multi-million dollar budget is used to strengthen the installation's infrastructure. In the coming months, new work sites will emerge, joining dozens of ongoing projects.
In a couple weeks, employees and visitors will witness the end of the Scranton Gate transformation with the opening of the Visitor Control Center (VCC). This fall workers will kick off a Post Restaurant makeover that was delayed in 2009 by budget issues. And, the renaissance of several buildings can be attributed to the long- and short-term restoration or modernization projects visible around the depot.
Soon, Building 11 will be a beehive of activity. The plans include relocating the Pocono Room to enlarge the Keystone Room (both are conference rooms) on the third floor, while nearby offices get a facelift. The first floor post office will move to the back of the building closer to the loading dock and designs to remodel the Logistics Support Activity, Resource Management Directorate and Information Management wings are well underway.
"We're still trying to figure out how to accomplish the personnel movements efficiently," Architect Ed Kovaleski said of the Building 11 project. Even if the contract is awarded this year, he said the work won't begin until January.
It will take about nine to 12 months to modernize the Post Restaurant, according to Kovaleski. He noted that among the plans to improve the entire facility from storage, preparation, serving, and dining to office areas, there are blueprints to enclose a Wi-Fi library and a fitness area in an expanded One Stop Shop. Furthermore, moving the dishwashing area to the back with the rest of the operational/production area will improve functionality. Kovaleski works for the Installation Services (IS) Directorate.
Workers renovating the largest building on the depot are on schedule to complete the first of a five phase project in February. Opening the front wall revealed 1950s-era windows that needed to be removed so a new wall can be re-blocked and insulated. Phase B, which affects the enclosure, is scheduled to begin in July after everyone moves to their new home in Building 1B.
"I'm satisfied with how things are progressing," said Dunmore resident Peter Moore, a mechanical engineer in the IS directorate. "A couple weeks ago, we brought in a massive crane to remove the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units from the roof."
Employee safety is a priority around any construction site and Moore advises personnel to remain vigilant and obey the posted signs.
"Conditions are always changing," he said. "Decisions to reposition a fence, close a road or reroute pedestrian traffic are made on a case-by-case basis."
It wasn't long ago the tunnel under Myer Street was closed to pedestrian traffic to install an elevator and rebuild the stairs. Workers often close Third Street to mix the cement being used to replace all the block work on the exterior of Building 10.
"Interior sections of Building 10 will be transformed too," said George Fueshko, lead engineering technician. "Everything is on track and going well."
As part of a two phase project that started last year, every dock is being resurfaced and building wall fixed, according to Fueshko. In addition, all exterior lights on the depot are being replaced with new LED lighting.
Part of Building 12 is being renovated for DLA Distribution-Tobyhanna, including structural reinforcement of the roof, and new electrical and sprinkler systems, according to Branch Chief Garth Shull. He also mentioned a gas line extension is being installed on Gibbs Street between Perimeter Road and Fourth Street and a fire suppression upgrade is on tap for Building 74.
It's not just the mission area affected by construction. Four buildings in the housing area will be razed this summer. The long-range plans are to replace outdated units with new homes to meet the needs of military members and their families.
Natural gas will replace the existing system in the Mack Fitness and Recreation Center and a new HVAC system will be installed.
Andrew Tichy will lead the charge on a modernization effort affecting five buildings near the wastewater treatment plant. Interior and exterior work will include a fresh coat of paint, and new plumbing, electrical, windows and flooring. Plans also include upgrading the backup generator.
"It will be nice to see the buildings reflect something other than 1950s décor," he said. "Construction is scheduled to start this month and includes new sidewalks."
To the right as you enter the Scranton Gate, workers are prepping an area for the platform that will display the RC-12 Guardrail. Another pad will be added somewhere on Hap Arnold Boulevard to display an AN/TSW-7A Air Traffic Control Center.
"We just have some punch list items remaining on the Scranton Gate project," said Chris Sheerer. "The paving is done and we're just waiting for the furniture to arrive before opening the visitor's center."
The civil engineer thanked Team Tobyhanna for their patience throughout this lengthy project.
IS employees point out that even though construction often brings inconvenience to employees and disruptions to operations, the long-term benefits for employees will be significant. These projects, and others waiting in the wings, will result in better working environments and increased workload capability.
Employees working in the Installation Services (IS) Directorate are responsible for maintaining all the facilities, roads and grounds on the installation. Handling the logistics of each project is the Production Engineering Directorate's Mission Support Division, which works with requestors, IS and other organizations to make improvement ideas a reality.
Tobyhanna boasts 145 buildings, 13 parking lots, 18 miles of road, and 1,296 acres of land. The Installation Planning and Maintenance Division oversees all construction and modernization projects.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna's Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C4ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.
Tobyhanna's unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our Joint Warfighters.
About 3,100 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the Armed Forces.
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