A groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction on four Armed Forces Reserve Centers that total more than $85 million in contracts, was held at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico Jan. 27. The new centers will replace aging facilities and will serve Puerto Rico’s citizen soldiers and Marines.
The four centers – Fort Buchanan, Fort Allen, Ceiba, and Mayaguez – will offer administrative, educational and community services to approximately 1,550 members of the Army Reserve in Puerto Rico as well as a library, learning center, vault and weapons simulators.
"With the construction of these centers, we recognize the dedication and sacrifice of the numerous men and women who have served this nation as citizen soldiers. They have responded to the call with pride and courage," said Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño. "I have always been and always will be completely committed to assuring the presence of the U.S. military forces in Puerto Rico and to providing active Soldiers, members of the Puerto Rico National Guard and veterans with better benefits and facilities."
The four projects are part of the Base Realignment and Closure of 2005 and are required under BRAC law. Notable of the design and construction of these centers is that each will seek to achieve, at minimum, a LEED SILVER rating under the LEED-NC Version 2.2 Green Building Rating System. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System provides standards for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED verifies a building was designed and built to increase energy savings, increase water efficiency, decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, improve indoor environmental quality and improve stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.
"The military and civilian members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have helped the Armed Forces in peacetime and war since the early days of the American Revolution," said Col. Keith Landry, USACE, Louisville District commander. "We are proud to use our engineering expertise and construction experience to provide the Soldiers and Marines of Puerto Rico with the world-class facilities they need and deserve."
Having served as the lead project manager in the construction of these four centers up to this point, the Louisville District now transfers construction oversights to USACE, Jacksonville District’s Antilles Branch.
At Fort Buchanan, the center will measure 72,246 square feet and will house two Army Reserve units, two Puerto Rico Army National Guard units, and one U. S. Marine Corps Reserve unit. It is estimated 65 permanent full-time personnel will use the facility with about 400 personnel using the facility on a rotating basis. The project was awarded to DTC Engineers and Constructors, LLC in September 2009. The facility is expected to be ready for use in June 2011.
At Fort Allen, the center will measure approximately 55,037 square feet. It is estimated 15 permanent full-time personnel will use the facility with about 150 personnel using it on a rotating basis. The project was awarded to Korte Construction Company in June 2009 and the center will be ready for use in May 2011.
At Ceiba, the center will measure approximately 78,350 square feet. It is estimated 25 permanent, full-time personnel will use the facility with about 600 Puerto Rico National Guard personnel using it on a rotating basis. The project was awarded to Consigli Construction Co., Inc. in September 2009 and is expected to be completed in June of 2011.
At Mayaguez, the center will measure approximately 57,718 square feet. It is estimated 16 permanent full-time personnel will use the facility with about 400 personnel on a rotating basis. The project was awarded to DTC Engineers and Constructors, LLC in August 2009 and is expected to be completed in June 2011.