feature

Under construction: Several projects going on across base

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Around Tinker there are several construction projects under way. While some are closer to finished than others, 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate officials said the wait will be worth it.

"These projects are being constructed for added mission capabilities for Tinker, to add to the quality of life support and welfare for Tinker's military and military families on base," said Jun Hinahon, 72nd ABW/CE Functional Area Staff civil engineer."

New 72nd Medical Group clinic, Bldg. 1094
In 2009, construction began on the 171,000-square-foot facility in the bare area across from Gott Gate, between Codding Road and the Hill Conference Center. Originally set to be completed in October 2011 and occupied by February 2012, the $51-million military-construction, or MILCON, project, which is funded by Congress with a priority from Air Force Materiel Command, has been delayed several times due to construction issues. It is now estimated to be finished and occupied by late July. Hensel Phelps Construction Co. out of Colorado is performing the work, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is managing the project.

New Child Development Center, "CDC South"
Roughly two years ago, construction began on a new child development center, commonly referred to as "CDC South" at the intersection of S. Air Depot Boulevard and Mitchell Avenue. The 24,000-square-foot facility will hold 182 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 5 years old and drastically reduce wait lists. Costing approximately $9 million, the stimulus-funded project is scheduled to be completed and occupied in November. Initially set to be occupied by February of this year, completion has been delayed by construction issues. Work is being performed by Nationview/ Bhate JV III, out of Birmingham, Ala. The Army Corps of Engineers is managing the project.

Additionally, the med clinic and CDC South facility will also be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, silver, said Rex Stanford, 72nd ABW/CE mechanical engineer.
Meaning, the Air For
ce requires new military construction projects and major renovations to meet LEED silver certification requirements. LEED officials grade the building on five categories -- sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environment. Depending on the number of points earned, determines the energy efficiency of the facility.

Bldg. 3001 Hangar Door
A KC-135 Stratotanker hangar door and a two-story, 10,800-square-foot administrative mezzanine on the southwest side of Bldg. 3001 are recent construction projects.

"There was no hangar door there previously," Mr. Stanford said. "The installation of the new door allows for more efficient movement of aircraft in and out of Bldg. 3001."

Construction began in summer of 2010, with work performed by Benham Constructors of Oklahoma City and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. The $10-million MILCON project was completed June 29.

Bldg. 3001 Revitalization Phase
Korte Construction, of St. Louis, is constructing new utility lines and an enclosure for them on the roof of Bldg. 3001. Existing lines run just below the roof.

"Portions of the existing lines have been there since the building was built and are 60-something-years old," Mr. Stanford said. "They're either corroded, partially clogged and there's not room to run them in their current spot."

The $12.7-million MILCON project is scheduled to be completed in January 2013. The Army Corps of Engineers is overseeing the project.

Defense Logistics Agency Demolition/Replacement of Roof, Bldg. 416
In late 2011, SAUER Inc., of Florida, began construction on demolishing and replacing the roof of Bldg. 416. Costing roughly $16-million, which has been funded by the Defense Logistics Agency and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, more than 422,000 square feet of roof is being replaced.

Additionally, a structure is being added to raise the roof systems to house a renewed heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The scheduled completion and beneficial occupancy date is March 20, 2013.

Repainting a Tinker Water Tower
Located between the back of Bldg. 414 and the perimeter fence at Interstate 40 are two water towers, No. 406 and 407, the north and south towers, respectively. They are undergoing a $780,000 project to be stripped down and repainted.

Draped in cables and fabric, the material protects the outside area from dust particles. When finished, the north tower will have the Air Force symbol and lettering, whereas the south tower will have "Tinker AFB" painted on it. The north tower is being worked first, as it has already been drained of water.

Once it is complete, it will be refilled and the south tower will be drained and repainted. Wind River Construction out of Lawton, is performing the work and the project is overseen by an Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Contracting team.
The project commenced in March and is expected to be completed by Oct. 26.