FORT EUSTIS, Va. (June 11, 2009) -- Fort Eustis held a groundbreaking ceremony June 4 at Murphy Field to celebrate the construction of the new U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Headquarters in preparation for the command's move to Eustis in 2011.
The relocation of TRADOC is part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure authorization and includes not only the TRADOC move but also the relocation of other activities to Eustis.
Other tenants and activities relocating to Eustis include the Installation Management Command Northeast and Southeast Regions, Network Enterprise Technology Command's Northeast and Southeast Regions, the Army Contracting Agency Northern Region, and Joint Task Force-Civil Support.
The consolidation of activities at one installation is part of the Department of Defense process to reorganize its forces to more efficiently and effectively support the military and increase operational readiness.
In his welcoming speech, Fort Eustis Garrison Commander Col. Andy Bowes talked about the changes and growth of the Army's transportation and the effect the transition will have on the military and civilian community.
"Change is sometimes met by resistance, but with change comes opportunity. The great story out if this - for the local community - is that this project will create more than 200 jobs in challenging economic times," he said.
Eustis Commander and Chief of Transportation Brig. Gen. Brian R. Layer also spoke of the changes facing the installation and its personnel and residence, but he also reminded the audience that although Eustis is getting a facelift and expanding, some things remain the same.
"By throwing a little dirt, we're are going to signify a great deal of change. But this will continue to be the place where we welcome Soldiers into the Army, where we develop the greatest leaders in the world, and where we think about what the future will look like for our Army," Layer said.
Pointing to the site where the new facility will be built, Layer went on.
"In that building, we are going to signify the Army's continued commitment to getting it right for our nation and our nation's future," Layer said.
The $78 million project consists of a five-story facility encompassing 263,676 square feet that will provide command suites, private offices, an emergency operations center, conference rooms, an auditorium and more for approximately 1,260 employees.
The complex also includes a single-story, 18,841-square-foot training facility to accommodate 66 personnel for the TRADOC Band.
The project design meets the standards of the Army's Leadership in Energy Environmental Design rating system achieving a silver certification. LEEDS is a national standard employing strategies to develop high-performance, sustainable buildings that reduce demands on limited and natural resources; provide safe, healthy and productive environments; improve energy efficiency and water conservation; promote sustainability; and reduce environmental impact of operations.
The project contract was awarded in March to Tompkins-Turner Government Services, in partnership with architect and engineer Michael Baker Jr. Inc. and the Army Corps of Engineers.
The project is due completion by February 2011.
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