MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- Ground for the construction of a new $13 million Bachelor Enlisted Quarters was broken Oct. 28 at Marine Corps
Logistics Base Albany, Ga.
“This is a great day for the base because we’ve started building a new BEQ with 100 rooms that fall in line with the commandant’s quality of life initiative,” said Col. Terry V. Williams, commanding officer, MCLB Albany. “This facility will use the latest environmental friendly materials and processes so that we can save energy every day.”
The new BEQ replaces barracks built in the 1950s and comes on the heels of the opening of new military family housing in the base’s Hill Village housing area Oct. 28.
“That means that between 2009, when the renovated Hill Village was opened, and 2010, when the BEQ is completed, the base will have modern new housing for families and single Marines. These investments will serve us well for decades to come,” Williams said. “The new BEQ for our single Marines will be a great morale booster.”
The facility was designed from the start as an example of the smart, effective use of designs, materials and processes.
“The new building is a design-build project, which means the contractor designed the building, we approved it, and they build it,” said Lt. Cmdr. Marc Rouleau, public works officer, Installation and Environment Division, MCLB Albany.
Attaining certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Status was the design goal on the BEQ project. To attain LEEDS status, the contractor is awarded credits for using methods and materials which provide energy efficiency. The more credit earned, the higher the LEED rating. Twenty-six credits are needed for LEEDS Silver, the Gold level is higher still.
Sustainable design is another goal of the design and construction of the project. It focuses on the need to integrate sustainable principles into the design, development and construction of the project in order to reduce the total cost of ownership of the facility using a whole building, life-cycle approach.
Another goal is to provide integrated sustainable design strategies and features to minimize the energy consumption of the facilities; conserve resources; minimize adverse effects to the environment; and improve occupant productivity, health, and comfort.