FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 30, 2015) -- Starting in late October, the Fort Benning Facility Reduction Program will begin the demolition of more than 44 World War II buildings.
The Army launched the Facility Reduction Program in 2012 with its primary focus to identify buildings that are too costly to maintain, or don't have the capacity needed to handle or fill a specific function, said David Holly, Installation Facility Utilization officer for Fort Benning.
Among those scheduled for demolition are the World War II buildings on Dixie Road, known as Soldiers Plaza. The buildings are the last prominent WWII-wood buildings on Main Post, and have served in every capacity from Soldier barracks to medical facilities and most recently as administrative buildings.
"These buildings became a primary candidate for demolition because they were originally built as temporary buildings," Holly said. "When they were built they were only supposed to be around for five years - and here they are in 2015, still standing and up until recently in use."
Under the Facility Reduction Program, when buildings reach a certain point there is a requirement to upgrade and update the facilities. Officials examine the buildings, and decide whether to put money into the operations and maintenance of those facilities further, or if newer facilities can better handle or are better prepared to accept those upgrades.
"In the case of Soldiers Plaza we decided there are many new facilities that are better able to handle the upgrades, and will serve Fort Benning better," Holly said.
When the buildings are demolished, footage comes off of the Fort Benning inventory, which reduces sustainment dollars, according to the Army requirement for facility reduction.
As for the land after demolition?
"There are no concrete plans for land as of right now," Holly said. "But as part of the Army downsizing and the reorganization of the Department of Defense, all service branches with offices in the community have been tasked with moving their operations onto the nearest installation.
"So in the future, we could see the Navy Reserve Office - which is currently in downtown Columbus - open there."
Demolition is expected to begin before Thanksgiving. Within the next 60 days there will be fencing and barricades up around the buildings, and shortly after that, demolition will start.
Social Sharing