CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- As part of the European Infrastructure Consolidation, a directive from the secretary of defense, site preparations have begun on Chièvres Air Base in anticipation of renovations to the vacant PXtra and the "old commissary."
Three of the 21 EIC business cases are in the Benelux. Of the three, Caserne Daumerie to Chièvres is one, said John Phelan, the USAG Benelux transformation and stationing manager.
After all projects are complete and everyone has moved into their new office space on Chièvres Air Base, Caserne Daumerie will be returned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
Returning the compound to SHAPE is expected to save the garrison about $2 million a year in operations and maintenance fees as well as the guard contract for Daumerie.
"This is an exciting time for the Corps of Engineers as part of the Benelux Transformation Program," said Chris Bowen, resident engineer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Benelux Resident Office. "Getting started on the renovation of Buildings 5 and 120 is a major milestone to help support the end-state closure of Daumerie, and we are grateful to be an integral part of the transformation team."
Building 5 will be converted into office space for U.S. Army Garrison Benelux directorates now located on Caserne Daumerie, and Building 120 will be converted into office space for tenant units from Daumerie.
Improvements to Building 5, for example, include two break rooms and one central restroom facility that incorporates showers into the design.
Renovations to Buildings 5 and 120 are expected to be completed by fall 2017.
Another project will be the renovation of Building 47 near the back gate of Chièvres Air Base, the new location of the veterinary clinic, which should be completed even earlier -- by summer 2017.
However, before the current tenants can move out in December 2016, the work on two CAB buildings had to be completed so that 39th Transportation Battalion's Branch Movement Control Team and Belgian Customs can move into Building 133. Both Buildings 133 and 138 have been transformed from garages into office space.
"Change is often hard for people, but there are opportunities that come with change," said Amy Holmes, the USAG Benelux transformation project manager.
The renovation and consolidation will put most of what you need from USAG Benelux within walking distance.
"It benefits the community by providing one-stop shopping," Phelan said.
The U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity is currently undergoing a reorganization, affecting district alignment worldwide. Under this reshuffle, DoDEA has relocated the Isles District Superintendent Office (previously located at Feltwell, U.K.) to the Benelux area, identifying the new office as the DoDEA Europe West District.
The current plan as agreed upon by the DoDEA Europe director, Dr. Dell McMullen, is to move the DoDEA Europe West District to Chièvres Air Base, Phelan said. Construction could start as early as fiscal year 2018.
"They're moving from England to Brussels, and, when their building's built, they'll move right here," Phelan said.
Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, or FMWR, is currently carrying out kennel improvements. A new cat section should be ready in spring 2017, Holmes said.
Also expected to be done by spring 2017, a park will be created in the grassy area between Army Lodging and the Community Activity Center. The playground will have several age-appropriate areas. A gazebo will be constructed, and a charcoal grill will be installed for organizations to use.
"It will become the heartbeat of the community," Phelan said.
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