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BRAC Phase II Construction Begins at NNMC

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091106-25
Release Date: 11/6/2009 8:49:00 PM

By Timothy R. Smith, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Public Affairs

BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Work officially began on the second phase of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) construction at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) when 11 shovels pierced the sand Oct. 30.

The official party, bearing the shovels, stood in front of two tall signs announcing the latest project on campus. Among the group were three wounded warriors, Marine Sgt. Owen McNamara, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Stephen Albright and Air Force Master Sgt. Christian MacKenzie, senior military leaders and the executive vice president of Whiting-Turner, the construction company awarded the design/build contract in August for the project.

"This is the start of the latest phase of the BRAC construction here on the campus to help us get to a world class facility, so deserving for all of our wounded warriors and all of their families and the ill and injured that will be seen here far into the future," said Vice Adm. John Mateczun, commander of the Joint Task Force National Capital Region–Medical.

Mateczun oversees the integration of Walter Reed and the National Naval Medical Center.

Capt. Michael Malanoski, commanding officer of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda, complimented the doctors, construction workers and the contractor during his speech at the ceremony.

"Their hearts are in this. They are putting in a lot of care and love into this hospital," said Malanoski.

The second phase, which will cost $181 million, consists of non-clinical facilities. Some of the projects in Phase II include construction for a multi-story building combining bachelor enlisted quarters, a dining facility and a warrior transition administrative office.

A new fitness center is also in development to replace the Comfort Liberty Zone.

The new facility will also include a 50-meter pool, a gymnasium, a fitness and training area, a running track, and volleyball, basketball and racquetball courts.

An integrated cardiac health program and ancillary facilities will also be within the fitness complex. A 145,000-square-foot administrative building will be built on the site of the unoccupied building 17. The majority of the building may be demolished, while the facade and end will be protected, reinforced and restored.

The groundbreaking is the latest in a long list of BRAC-related expansion on the NNMC campus.

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