by Keith Burton - GCN  6/9/08

Contractors working on the new residential tower for the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport are showing signs of progress. Four tower cranes on the site are doing the heavy lifting to build the new tower to replace the one demolished last year that was damaged by hurricane Katrina.

Contractors have already completed a huge amount of work for the massive $240 million dollar project. Nearly 2,000 piles have been installed to support the tower's foundation and construction of the initial floors is well underway. The residential tower will have approximately 660,000 gross square feet and will provide a full spectrum of continuing care retirement and independent living, including assisted living, and long-term care. The building will accommodate 584 residents complete with controlled parking, complete landscaping is to include walking paths, outdoor areas, and recreation areas.

Part of the project is also to restore the retirement complex chapel, which survived the hurricane but was heavily damaged. A contract has been award for the chapel's stain glass window, restoration, and reinstallation.

March 3, 2008 the General Services Administration (GSA) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new AFRH facility, replacing the former structure that was built in 1976 and severely damaged in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. GSA was designated by Congress in PL-109-234 as the lead construction agency on behalf of AFRH and the Department of Defense. Approximately $240 million dollars was appropriated by Congress for the demolition and rebuild of the new facility.

MaChis Lower Creek Indian Tribe of Samson, Alabama, completed the demolition of the former facility in December 2007.

GSA issued a Notice to Proceed to Yates Construction of Biloxi, Miss., on January 3. The Design/Build Team is made up of W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company, URS Corporation and SFCS. URS Corporation is providing design and engineering services and SFCS is the lead architect. SFCS is recognized as experts in the design of senior care facilities in the U.S.

The timeline for the completion of the project is July 2010.

More Information:

Armed Forces Retirement Home Imploded - GCN