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Fisher Houses Demolition Opens Space for Larger Facilities

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090827-21
Release Date: 8/27/2009 4:29:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Wilson, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs

BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Demolition began last month to pave way for construction of three new Fisher Houses at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC).

The project began with the NNMC package store being demolished in the first of two phases which will provide space for the future development of the next Fisher House, designed to provide living quarters for families of wounded service members while they recuperate.

The project is challenging based on a very aggressive construction schedule driven by the Fisher House completion schedule, said Neil Schulman, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) project manager for the demolition work.

After phase one of the demolition is completed, the second phase will begin in the fall. At that time, the complete demolition of the Comfort Zone Complex will be undertaken. The project is being completed in phases to allow NNMC personnel to continue to have access to the fitness center.

During the month of October, the Comfort will be permanently closed and a temporary gymnasium will be constructed at the northwest corner of the base. The entire demolition project is scheduled to be completed in December.

The Fisher House program is a private-public organization that supports military service members in time of healing. The lodgings provide additional support to families beyond what is usually given by the Departments of Defense and Veteran Affairs (VA).

At least one Fisher House is located at every major medical center in the world, serving more than 10,000 families. To date, the Fisher Foundation has provided nearly three million days of lodging to family members since the program began in 1990. There is no charge to families using these facilities and all donations reimburse the individual Fisher Houses operated by the Navy, Army and Air Force.

For more news from National Naval Medical Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nnmc/.