First ground broken on Andrews AFB for NCR Relocation Administration Facility

Published July 16, 2009
By Aletha Frost
AFDW PA

AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON -- A groundbreaking ceremony for the new $131 million National Capital Regional Relocation Administration Facility construction project took place July 13 on the north side of 1535 Command Drive, on Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

The ground-breaking ceremony marked the starting point of an estimated 19-month construction project.

The new, two-wing office building will be five stories high, approximately 380,000 square feet in size, and include two courtrooms that support the Air Force Board of Appeals and the 316th Wing Legal Office. The project includes parking for 1,150 spaces.

The facility will support 2,300 HAF, AFDW, and 316th Airmen. It also will be home to Air Force personnel relocated as a result of Base Realignment and Closure actions and antiterrorism/force protection standards.

The building will be among the first in the Air Force to be LEED© Silver Certified meaning that it will meet the facility energy use provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

The building will have many features to help it attain the LEED© certification. It will incorporate features to improve indoor air quality as well as providing access to natural daylight. Utility use will be 30 percent below existing industry benchmarks, and exceed Federal standards. Water consumption will meet or exceed conservation standards, achieved through more efficient appliances, fixtures, and fittings inside, and water-wise landscaping outside.

LEED© promotes the reduction of waste as well as reuse and recycling; an additional benefit is the site will be built with regional materials.

Another interesting aspect of the project is its accelerated schedule. Traditionally, a project of this size could take two or more years. Through early start design, pre-manufacturing and staging building components, and using the design-build process, the facility will be built within only 19 months. What's different with this method is that construction starts after some elements are designed, such as site drainage and foundations, but before all aspects of the design are complete. While the site is being cleared and foundations installed, design continues on items such as interior and exterior finishes, electrical, plumbing, and other utility systems.

Together, staff from AFDW's Programs and Planning and BRAC Program Management offices, along with the local execution office of the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE), are managing this accelerated effort.

The building project is expected to be completed in February 2011, with all BRAC-identified personnel in the building and operational by Sept 15, 2011 - the deadline imposed by BRAC legislation.

"The new building reinvigorates the pride and team work here on Andrews" said Maj. Gen. Ralph Jodice, AFDW commander. "From the flags of our 50 states at the gate, to the design of this new facility, the face of Andrews is changing, improving. At the same time, we embrace more responsibility as Air Force presence in the National Capital Region continues to come to Andrews AFB."