Goldsboro, N.C.—In honor of the recent completion of the new Mission Support Group Consolidated Support Center (CSC) on the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C., a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on January 6, 2012. Built on a site that was previously a wastewater treatment plant, the 2-story, steel frame building with brick exterior opened for occupancy on October 28, 2011, months earlier than expected.

Attending the January ribbon cutting on behalf of American Structurepoint, the architect of record on the project, Dan Weinheimer, joined upwards of 60 people who overflowed the atrium, up the monumental stairs and onto the balcony of the second floor at the ceremony. Speakers included 4th Fighter Wing Commander Colonel Patrick Doherty, 4th Mission Support Group Commander Colonel Anne Winkler, several Wayne County Commissioners, several local mayors, and LTC David T. London, the deputy district commander for the Savannah District US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Among the attendees were teaming partners Jeff Delay and Jeremy Fortier with Duke Construction, which served as the contractor on the project, Steve Blanchard and Terry Brooks with USACE, and Bob Hankins of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

The $12.1 million CSC is a central location where members of the US Air Force and their family members can receive legal, financial, and other support. The 43,500-sft facility houses offices of military personnel, financial management, Family Support Center, legal, traffic management, and contracting personnel; accommodating five separate but inter-related organizations and offices, including the Mission Support Group Headquarters, Force Support Squadron, Comptroller/Finance, Contracting, Law Center, and Area Defense Counsel.

A vintage P-51D Mustang is suspended from the ceiling in the atrium, on loan from the National Museum of the US Air Force, and the CSC also houses a World War II heritage display and a state-of-the-art 1,400-sft courtroom for the legal office. “Colonel Winkler stated that the military courtroom would make a Supreme Court Justice’s eyes water,” says Weinheimer, “and LTC London stated that he has heard nothing but praise for this building from its users.”

The project, which is expected to reach LEED® Gold certification, in accordance with US Green Building Council standards, incorporates sustainable features, including natural landscaping, low-VOC paints, energy efficient lighting, the use of a Variable Refrigerant Volume heating, ventilation, air conditioning for energy conservation, and many other “green” features.

When asked what he learned about managing design/build projects for the federal government through this project, Weinheimer replied, “Because of the multitude of people and organizations involved, communication and documentation are imperative. With support of American Structurepoint’s Monica Kohlman (Architectural) and Steve Hanscom (Architectural), who have great organizational skills, the project was able to stay on-track and not get derailed. Shaun Cofer (Civil), also of American Structurepoint, through his quick response to the client and the Corps, also contributed the success of this project.”

“Design submittals were timely and complete,” says Stephen Blanchard of the USACE, Savannah District. “The customer is extremely happy with the design of the facility and end product.”