MacDill growth, improvement projects abound in 2013

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt editor
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  If there is one constant at MacDill it is that each year brings a new slate of repair and expansion projects that help clear a path to the future.

New infrastructure, demolition of old facilities and the raising of new ones is business as usual at this busy base, which supports several commands, the needs of thousands of Team MacDill members, and their various missions.

The year 2013 promises to be an active one, with more than $35 million in construction and improvement projects on the books.

Projects for 2013
More than $1.5 million has been allocated to complete base sidewalks and crosswalks. When complete, MacDill members will be able to walk on a sidewalk from the Dale Mabry Gate to Seascapes at the beach on the south end of the base

The sidewalk projects include:
  • Maintenance of pedestrian and traffic routes at a cost of $1,153,905.
  • Construct sidewalks, North Hangar Loop, $109,134.14
  • Construct sidewalks, bike trail, $243,342.00
  • Construct sidewalks, South Hangar Loop Drive, $123,282.66
After two years of discussion with the Florida Historical Preservation Office, MacDill has permission to replace the windows and sidings on its 1940s vintage hangars. Hangar 1 will be the first. The project will include repair of windows and siding on the hangars. The renovation project is budgeted at $2,497,563.
MacDill won $1.9 million in fitness funds to upgrade the base gym with a new 6,000- square-foot mezzanine. The project will also see the old basketball court converted into a quality workout room.

MacDill received $1.1 million to renovate the Surf's Edge Club. The project upgrades the interior, creates a quality Heritage Room area, and builds new handicapped access bathrooms.

Tropical Storm Debbie left its mark on MacDill, and $2.5 million will be used to repair damage from the storm. Projects will replace damaged aluminum docks at the base marina with concrete docks that can withstand storm conditions. The project also includes repairing damage to the seawall that protects the east coast of the base, as well as repairs to running trails along the shoreline. Repairing road and storm drain erosion also is included in this project.

Projects supporting mission teammates also are on the books for 2013. Some $3 million has been allotted for:
  • Repair D-Cell drainage, $617,824
  • Dry fire suppression Ph I. $73,615
  • CV2 parking lot, $1,079,338
  • Construct overflow parking, $239,927
  • Repair SOCOM HVAC room, $338,130.18
  • Repair JCSE electrical system, $475,886
  • SOCOM warehouse, $723,747
  • Construct 500 amp electrical service for DJC2 tent area, $73,447.00
In addition to new construction and repairs, MacDill has been awarded more than $3 million for energy savings projects:
  • Upgrade HVAC control, $488,836.13
  • Chilled water plant optimization, $1,281170
  • Upgrade EMCS system, $1,495,357.87
MacDill also has received more than $2 million for demolition and consolidation projects that will tear down dilapidated facilities and replace them with new, smaller facilities that will save maintenance and energy:
  • Demolition and construction of the 6th Civil Engineer Sqaudron storage facility, $560,691
  • Demolition and construction of the Engineering Test Cells, $898,517.67
  • Demolition and construction of Building 297 WAPS Testing in the Ed Center, $797,209.00
New roofs are in store for hangars 2, 3, 4, and 5, with $2.8 million awarded to "reskin" the barrel roofs on the hangars. The project also includes a new standing seam roof on Building 55.

Project information provided by the 6th Civil Engineer Squdron