ARLINGTON, Va. - Ground was ceremonially broken today for an estimated $98 million expansion of the Army National Guard Readiness Center here.
The ground breaking, presided over by Gen. Craig McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard, marked the start of the project.
The addition, which is funded in part by requirements from the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005, will allow the National Guard Bureau to consolidate personnel from multiple locations in northern Virginia.
"This next building really, really dovetails nicely with (the existing building) and brings our great National Guard Bureau and the rest of our team here in one place," said Vaughn.
According to planning documents, the new building will add about 243,000 square feet and provide workspace for more than 1,100 additional people.
Planned to consist of three floors below ground and five above, the building will also feature an auditorium, fitness center, conference center and a joint operations center.
And the building will stand as a source of pride for those in the Guard. "(We wanted this to be) something of such great beauty that the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard men and women across the United States would come in and feel so much pride in it," said Vaughn. "That's exactly what this did."
The building and the consolidation of personnel into one location will allow the National Guard to better serve the nation, said McKinley. "One of the reasons to (build) this great facility, this expansion, is to protect the force and make sure our force is able to get out the door," referring to the deployment of troops from the center as needed.
Construction is scheduled to be completed in early 2011 with personnel occupying the space shortly thereafter.
A five-story parking garage is also scheduled to be built adjacent to the new structure and is scheduled for completion by 2010.
"It's an honor and a privilege to be a part of this great team," said McKinley. "I look forward to this building being built, and the day we cut a ribbon for it