NAVFAC Hawaii Renovates 3rd Battalion Headquarters

From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Renovations to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment's headquarters building at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii were recently completed with a final inspection held Sept. 23.

The renovations were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

"The building was in such bad condition, the occupants were hoping we were going to demolish it, but the building's concrete structure was solid," said Steve Butala, MCBH project manager. "Now that we've finished all of the improvements the building looks almost new. It's good to know that when the Marines return from deployment they'll have a drastically improved working environment."

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii awarded a $2.7 million stimulus money contract to Honolulu-based SuMo/Nan Joint Venture Sept. 28, 2009, to completely overhaul MCBH's 15,000 square foot Building 1087, inside and out.

Completion of the project was initially scheduled for June 2010, but contract modifications by the customer involving electrical needs and a request for an additional $164,500 in ARRA funds extended the project's end date until the end of September 2010.

The renovation consisted of removing hazardous lead-based materials, installing new windows and doors, designing a centralized air conditioning system, replacing the existing restrooms and plumbing, re-engineering a weather-resistant roofing system and creating a secure parking area with larger stalls.

In addition, new shading glass and walls with reinforced siding will maximize energy efficiency when coupled with the new air conditioning units. The roof was re-engineered to be weather-resistant and received an elastomeric waterproofing system, which repels ultra violet rays and water, keeping the building leak-free.

"The entire team, MCBH Facilities Department, 3rd Battalion, NAVFAC Hawaii and contractor personnel, worked together to deliver a great product with minimal inconveniences to all," said Allan Ng, project manager for NAVFAC Hawaii. "In addition, the improvements made to the existing building will promote a healthy, comfortable, efficient and safer working environment for all members of the 3rd Battalion and/or others who use Building 1087 while they are deployed."

NAVFAC Hawaii has several more ARRA funded projects underway and scheduled for completion in 2010 or 2011. They range from various pier renovations and photovoltaic installations at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Pacific Missile Range Kauai to a Child Development Center also at MCBH Kaneohe Bay.