Trailers get new home at UH community college campuses

By Mr. Jack Wiers (IMCOM)May 4, 2012

Trailer donation
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Garrison sustainability and the local community college system are each benefiting from the transfer of 32 trailers, totaling 24,000 square feet of space, to the University of Hawaii Community College system.

Both university and garrison officials are applauding the collaboration that took place during late April into early May.

"This cooperative effort is a win-win for the Army, the community colleges and the taxpayer," said Dr. John Morton, vice president, UH Community College system.

Department of Defense guidelines allow the transfer of this type of military real estate to state agencies once military options have been explored.

"We are in the process of relocating these trailers to the Honolulu Community College for use as much-needed classrooms and faculty offices as we renovate our library," Morton said.

The trailers currently house two temporary Fort Shafter buildings, X0625 and X0626. The mobile units had provided temporary office space for components of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command and U.S. Army-Pacific since 2006.

The temporary structures were vacated in September, as preparation began for the first phase of construction of the new USARPAC Command and Control Center. Costly demolition and removal, coupled with the environmental impact of disposing of 32 units, each weighing approximately 1,000 pounds, made transfer the logical option.

"Thanks to the hard work of the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii and the Hawaii education community, we leveraged resources, got to a common sense solution that saved dollars, and will support the community well into the future," said Col. Jay Hammer, executive officer, USAG-HI.

Old tenants of X0625 and X0626 will ultimately be housed in renovated buildings on Fort Shafter, following completion of the new command center.

The UH Community College system, meanwhile, is planning multiple uses for the portable offices and classrooms, first providing support for Honolulu Community College, followed by Kapiolani and Leeward community colleges.