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Hurricane-damaged Consolidated Mail Facility Reopens Aboard NAS Pensacola

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060301-05
3/1/2006

By Sheri L. Crowe, Naval Air Station Pensacola Public Affairs

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Consolidated Mail Facility (CMF) co-located with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), reopened in its original building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 21.

The CMF was severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan when it hit Sept. 16 and is the first structure in the base's historic landmark district to be rebuilt in the post Hurricane Ivan restoration process.

“Damage to the Post Office (CMF) in building 40, after the hurricane was extensive,” said Capt. Gerald Manley, officer in charge of construction (OICC), who is responsible for overseeing the Hurricane Ivan reconstruction program for Navy installations in the Pensacola region. “About one-third of the standing roof was taken off (from Ivan) and it allowed for a lot of the wind blown debris and rain to come into the facility…and this building had several feet of black flood water from the storm surge. So, after it got wet from top to bottom, it required a lot of rework.”

Repair work for the renovation project cost $1.8 million, and was awarded June 2 to prime contractor Harry Pepper & Associates, Inc., headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. Work commenced June 24 and was completed by Feb. 1.

“Getting this done in a timely manner and within our budget has proven to be a success story,” said Manley.

The building 40 Construction Manager, Lt. Jennifer Bossler, from the OICC Ivan staff aboard NAS Pensacola, said dealing with the renovation of a building that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ivan was difficult.

“Just after the hurricane, an initial demolition contractor came in and took out all saturated material,” said Bossler. “So when we got the building, not only was it mold-infested, but there were portions of the interior that had to be removed.”

She said it took quite a bit of coordination between the OICC office, the contractor, the Federal Post Office representatives, and the CMF representatives, to determine what the building looked like prior to the hurricane and how they were going to rebuild it.

Bossler said a new standing seam metal roof was installed with hurricane clips for reinforcement. Just about everything on the interior first floor was demolished, and a complete mold assessment and abatement was performed. Then, the build-back included new drywall, ceiling tile, flooring, counters, cabinets, interior doors, a fire alarm system, exterior doors and window replacements.

“I think everyone is happy with the final product,” said Bossler. “The level of partnering and cooperation between the tenants, OICC and contractor, have been wonderful.”

Regional CMF Director Ernie Kington said although living conditions in CMF’s temporary building were tolerable, he’s happy to get back to normalcy.

“It’s great being back in our restored building,” he said. “Now that word is out about our relocation, things should start to pick-up for us again. We’re fully operational.”