IMCOM to break ground on new headquarters building

By Fort Sam Houston Public AffairsApril 16, 2010

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FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Groundbreaking for Installation Management Command's Fort Sam Houston headquarters is slated for Monday.

But construction and relocation from Arlington, Va., will not be a quick or easy task as the Base Realignment and Closure Act has ordered.

That task includes building a new headquarters structure adjacent to four historic buildings under renovation to provide additional administrative space for the command, plus an additional task that is expected to bring more than 2,000 military and civilian jobs to the installation and community.

"This $26.4 million contract to construct the new 168,000-square-foot headquarters building will help us oversee all facets of managing Army installations around the world. That includes maintenance of the roads, grounds, logistics, public works, security forces, emergency services and everything that makes our installations the Army's Home," said Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, commander of IMCOM.

"Additionally, while we are constructing our new IMCOM building, we're also doing new construction at other installations' barracks, apartment-type housing for our senior professional Soldiers, and building a partnership with investors for new family housing and hotels," he said.

"BRAC is definitely the catalyst of movement for the command, along with the two subordinate commands - the U.S. Army Environmental Command, which manages and oversees all of our environmental programs; and the Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation Command, which manages an assortment of food and restaurant facilities plus recreational programs."

While military construction accounts for the majority of commercial projects at Fort Sam Houston, this groundbreaking ceremony is special because it occurs when the city is celebrating its 119th anniversary of "Fiesta San Antonio," which began as an honor to the heroes of the Battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto.

"I can't think of better time to have a groundbreaking ceremony," Lynch said. "We're honored to be a part of this great city, its fighting spirit, its multiculturalism, and proud heritage... I can't express how happy we are to be a part of the community and the citizens of Military City USA," the general said.

IMCOM will have a huge impact on the Army, joint basing, and the city of San Antonio. "I think it's easily one of the largest development projects that IMCOM is working globally, and in a city of San Antonio's size, it probably one that adds to the already shining history of this military town," Lynch said.

The contract to build the headquarters structure is the first of 26 contracts with a total projected value of around $390 million for San Antonio.

During the past two fiscal years, contracts worth almost $2 billion have been awarded to major construction companies from around the nation for work to be done here at Fort Sam Houston.

IMCOM's mission is to provide the Army installation capabilities and services to support Army operations in a time of persistent conflict, said Lynch.

"We provide a quality of life for Soldiers, their families, and civilians that work alongside of us with accommodations that are commensurate with their service. We are the Army's home," Lynch said "We provide a source of balance that ensures: an environment in which Soldiers and families can thrive; a structure that supports unit readiness in an era of persistent conflict; and a foundation that supports Army transformation."

"We join the city of San Antonio in your celebration of your heroes with this IMCOM groundbreaking ceremony that will honor our own fighting men and women who dedicate themselves to protecting America. Their commitment to serve our nation's military is a testament to their courage, their duty to country, and the strength of the nation," Lynch said.

(Source: IMCOM Public Affairs)

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