Stuttgart to see more than $50 million in facility improvements

By Susan Huseman, USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs OfficeJuly 6, 2009

Stuttgart to see more than $50 million in facility improvements
Command Sgt. Maj. Mark. Q. Barbary (from left); Suzanne King, CYS Services coordinator; Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward, AFRICOM commander; Joan Thomas, regional child and youth evaluation team chief; Col. Richard M. Pastore, USAG Stuttgart commander; Lt.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

STUTTGART, Germany -- More than $50 million in construction and renovation projects will get underway this summer and early fall in U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart.

Construction on a child development center and shoppette, both on Kelley Barracks, will begin in early July.

The CDC is a $5 million modular facility with a capacity for up to 100 children, and, when finished, will be used to provide full-day care.

The current facility on Kelley has space for 54 full-day and six hourly slots, said Suzanne King, the USAG Stuttgart Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation Child, Youth and School Services coordinator. She said after the new facility opens, the old CDC will be converted to a part-day program, expanding child care options for local families.

"One of the most significant challenges we have here in Stuttgart is providing quality day care," said Col. Richard M. Pastore, the USAG Stuttgart commander, during a ground breaking ceremony for the center June 29. "We're going to be able to provide for some of our most significant shortfalls - part day and hourly care."

The modern facility will include activity rooms, a reception area, offices, a kitchen and an outdoor play area. It will also have the latest in closed circuit video monitoring systems.

A new shoppette will be built adjacent to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service gas station on Kelley. The new facility, with 3,000 square feet of retail space, will resemble the Patch Barracks shoppette, albeit smaller.

The Patch Barracks food court renovation project will also begin this summer.

"We're doing a complete renovation of the food court," said Jim Grady, the deputy director for the garrison Directorate of Public Works. "The Subway restaurant will move into the building, along with the other AAFES services currently scattered in the area; including the barber and beauty shops, dry cleaning pickup and car rental." The Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers lounge will also be co-located with the food court.

The food court will be transformed into a "modern and bright" facility, complete with an enclosed glass dining area. "It will be the high quality facility that our service members and their families deserve," said Grady.

Later this summer, the military vehicle wash rack on Panzer Kaserne will be removed, allowing the sports field next to the fitness center to be extended.

Other renovation projects include new playgrounds on Patch, Kelley and Robinson Barracks, a classroom addition for the Patch Chapel, installation of an awning over the Patch Barracks' "Finance Row" sidewalk, air conditioning in the Robinson Barracks SAS and Youth Services, and a complete repair of the Panzer Kaserne heat plant and distribution piping

Three barracks buildings, Building 2900 and 2902 on Panzer Kaserne and Building 2309 on Patch Barracks, will undergo a $15.5 million renovation. The project is currently in the design phase, according to Grady.