0
Quote
The Fort Benning structure is set to open in March 2009
If you're invited to tour the construction site of the National Infantry Center and Soldier Center at Patriot Park, a note of caution: Wear your boots and old clothes.
"We've had a lot of rain so far this year," said Chuck Williams, the project manager for West Point, Ga.-based Batson-Cook, as visitors tip-toed through mud surrounding the outside of the 185,000-square-foot main building. Truckloads of dirt have been trucked onto the site to cover most of the muddy areas.
"The good news is that we got a lot of work done last year while the area was under drought conditions," he said. "Once we got the roof on, we were able to really start working inside."
While much progress has been achieved at the site, where the first shovels of dirt were dug in September 2004, the new museum won't be open to the public until next March.
Preliminary estimates had called for a November opening.
Up to 130 skilled laborers are hammering away in every corner of the building, from the main rotunda to the Fort Benning gallery, and from the 300-seat IMAX theater to the Grand Hall, where seating will be available to 500 people.
Already moved in are a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which sits atop a ramp off the terrazo flooring of the main lobby, and a Huey helicopter, which hangs 12 feet off the ground in what will be a special Vietnam gallery.
Trees have been removed on museum property between South Lumpkin Road and Benning Boulevard to make way for a 1,000-car parking lot.
"We're putting in drainage now before we start on paving the lot," said Williams, whose company was responsible for building the new Columbus Library and Columbus State University's Performing Arts Center.
Making progress
The main entrance into the museum area will be off Benning Boulevard. "The access off South Lumpkin will be for deliveries and employees only," Williams added.
A large portion of the parade field, which will be nestled between the museum and the restored World War II Company Street, has already been leveled off.
Much of the exterior work, which consists of brick and granite, could be completed within the next few weeks, Williams said. Wall framing and drywall are going up in most of the major galleries, which include Infantry participation in the Revolutionary and Civil wars, World Wars I and II, the Cold War (Korea and Vietnam) and the Desert Wars.
By next month, the installation of heating and cooling, electrical systems and sprinklers will be complete, preparing many of the galleries for exhibit fabrication.
And what museum would be complete without a restaurant, a gift shop and dozens of interactive displays?
Certainly not this one.
The offices of the National Infantry Foundation, headed by chairman Jerry White and executive director Ben Williams, will be located in the museum. That group has raised more than $78 million of its $91 million goal.
In the future, the Armor Center will be raising money to build a museum of its own. That would be built on land adjacent to Patriot Park, near the main entrance to post.
If you're invited to tour the construction site of the National Infantry Center and Soldier Center at Patriot Park, a note of caution: Wear your boots and old clothes.
"We've had a lot of rain so far this year," said Chuck Williams, the project manager for West Point, Ga.-based Batson-Cook, as visitors tip-toed through mud surrounding the outside of the 185,000-square-foot main building. Truckloads of dirt have been trucked onto the site to cover most of the muddy areas.
"The good news is that we got a lot of work done last year while the area was under drought conditions," he said. "Once we got the roof on, we were able to really start working inside."
While much progress has been achieved at the site, where the first shovels of dirt were dug in September 2004, the new museum won't be open to the public until next March.
Preliminary estimates had called for a November opening.
Up to 130 skilled laborers are hammering away in every corner of the building, from the main rotunda to the Fort Benning gallery, and from the 300-seat IMAX theater to the Grand Hall, where seating will be available to 500 people.
Already moved in are a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which sits atop a ramp off the terrazo flooring of the main lobby, and a Huey helicopter, which hangs 12 feet off the ground in what will be a special Vietnam gallery.
Trees have been removed on museum property between South Lumpkin Road and Benning Boulevard to make way for a 1,000-car parking lot.
"We're putting in drainage now before we start on paving the lot," said Williams, whose company was responsible for building the new Columbus Library and Columbus State University's Performing Arts Center.
Making progress
The main entrance into the museum area will be off Benning Boulevard. "The access off South Lumpkin will be for deliveries and employees only," Williams added.
A large portion of the parade field, which will be nestled between the museum and the restored World War II Company Street, has already been leveled off.
Much of the exterior work, which consists of brick and granite, could be completed within the next few weeks, Williams said. Wall framing and drywall are going up in most of the major galleries, which include Infantry participation in the Revolutionary and Civil wars, World Wars I and II, the Cold War (Korea and Vietnam) and the Desert Wars.
By next month, the installation of heating and cooling, electrical systems and sprinklers will be complete, preparing many of the galleries for exhibit fabrication.
And what museum would be complete without a restaurant, a gift shop and dozens of interactive displays?
Certainly not this one.
The offices of the National Infantry Foundation, headed by chairman Jerry White and executive director Ben Williams, will be located in the museum. That group has raised more than $78 million of its $91 million goal.
In the future, the Armor Center will be raising money to build a museum of its own. That would be built on land adjacent to Patriot Park, near the main entrance to post.
Edited by ATLman1, 04 March 2008 - 07:32 AM.
