By Dino W. Buchanan, Honolulu District Public Affairs
Representatives from the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Directorate of Public Works, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and contractor Nan-Samsung LLC personnel participated in a Hawaiian groundbreaking and site blessing March 18 on the south side of the Wheeler airstrip, officially starting the construction for the second phase of the 25th Infantry Division (25th ID) Combat Aviation Brigade Complex (CAB).
Reverend Sherman Thompson led the Hawaiian blessing of the site as well as more than 60 CAB Phase 2 contractors and staff. Also blessed were representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Honolulu District and the 25th ID CAB.
The $69.7 million project is the second of 16 additional phases required to complete the entire $1.6 billion CAB complex. This project will create two, six-story standard design barracks for Soldiers assigned to the Combat Aviation Brigade. This project dovetails with the CAB Phase 1 Site Infrastructure project for all roads and utilities and infrastructure. Coordination is on-going with CAB Phase 1 contractor David Boland LLC to synchronize construction for the two phases, as the two barracks will be situated within the CAB Phase 1 project site.
A design-build contract for the CAB Phase 2 project was awarded to Nan-Samsung on May 13, 2014 for $69,749,203. The construction completion date is January 2017. Design was done by Group 70 International, Mitsunaga and Associates, Geolabs, Martin & Chock, InSynergy Engineering, Walters Kimura Motoda, and Facility Dynamics Engineering.
Primary facilities include a central plant, antiterrorism measures, an Energy Monitoring Control Systems connection, and sustainability/energy measures. Supporting facilities will include site development, utilities and connections, lighting, paving, parking, walks, curbs and gutters, storm drainage, information systems, landscaping and signage. Air conditioning will be provided by the central plant.
The project is targeted for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.
The Honolulu District is committed to building and managing the construction of high quality projects that improve the quality of life for service members and their families and that provide jobs and money which stimulate the local economy.