Military

NCBC Gulfport Breaks Ground for Start of Eight Projects

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071114-03
Release Date: 11/14/2007 1:26:00 PM

From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- A groundbreaking ceremony for two large construction projects valued at $157.3 million was held Nov. 9, to kick off the start of eight new projects on board Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport.

"If there is a silver lining for NCBC two years after Hurricane Katrina, it's the realization of the Navy's recapitalization efforts along the Gulf Coast," said Capt. Van Dobson, commanding officer, NCBC Gulfport. "These eight projects reflect nearly one-half of the Katrina program to revitalize our base."

A $65 million contract for 212 new housing units was awarded April 6 to Debcon, Inc., a small business from Ashland, Ky. The new homes will be completed in phases, with all units ready for occupancy by April 2010.

W.G. Yates Construction, of Philadelphia, Miss., was awarded a $93 million mega-package, July 9. Included in the package are a new fitness center, Navy Exchange (NEX), training hall, security complex, student barracks, command and control building for the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, and base-wide storm drainage improvements.

"We are much better than we ever were in the past concerning single sailor programs and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) hosted events," says Command Master Chief (SCW) Joe Perrone, NCBC command master chief. "Upon completion of the MWR Katrina Recap projects, CBC Gulfport will have MWR facilities with the latest in technology and modern equipment."

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on the site of the new fitness center and was attended by representatives from NCBC, the contractors, and tenant commands as well as several distinguished guests.

"This is a key milestone for NAVFAC (Naval Facilities Engineering Command) Southeast and OICC (Officer in Charge of Construction) Katrina," said Cmdr. Chris LaPlatney, OICC Katrina.

These are the last major recovery projects in Gulfport. OICC Katrina will now move almost exclusively into the construction phase, and concentrate on improving mission readiness and quality of life onboard NCBC.

"As we improve the quality of life of our Sailor's and their families, we directly increase our mission readiness," added Dobson. "A new NEX, fitness center, command and control building, and base infrastructure improvements impact all areas of our mission."