WWII-era buildings at Hill AFB to be demolished
Throughout the years, additions and modifications have been made to World War II era buildings to support Hill Air Force base organizations. Several of the building are scheduled to be demolished beginning Dec. 1 as the Falcon Hill project at Hill progresses.
Throughout the years, additions and modifications have been made to World War II era buildings to support Hill Air Force base organizations. Several of the building are scheduled to be demolished beginning Dec. 1 as the Falcon Hill project at Hill progresses.
Rendering of a new 75,000-square-foot office building opening at Hill Air Force Base.
HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Make-shift office buildings that have been standing at Hill Air Force Base since the FDR administration are set to start tumbling down next week.
On Dec. 1, base officials will open a new 75,000-square-foot office building that will house military and civilian workers from Hill, as well as several defense contractors. The new facility is part of the Falcon Hill National Aerospace Research Park development, an Air Force Enhanced Use Lease program that allows private entities to lease underused military land.
Administrative staff assigned to the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Directorate will occupy one floor of the new building, while defense contractors are in negotiations with the developer to occupy the other two floors, according to base spokesman Micah Garbarino.
As the building opens, demolition work will begin on a series of World War II-era buildings that have for years been used as overflow office space along the west side of the base.
Garbarino said the first building to go will be the old 75th Security Forces Squadron headquarters building, also known as Bulding 129. The unit has already relocated into a new building, which was also constructed as part of the EUL program.
David Williamsen, chief of the EUL Program Office at Hill, said transitioning away from buildings that are 70 years old and not originally meant for office space will cut facility maintenance costs and improve the quality of life for the base workforce.
The new facility is the third building and fourth major construction project completed by developer Sunset Ridge as part of the EUL project, which Air Force officials say will bring additional jobs and revitalized infrastructure that also includes new roads and utilities in addition to new buildings.
An ICBM Prime Integration office building just inside the West Gate was completed in March 2012, followed by a new 35,000 square-foot building for the 75th Security Forces Squadron in January 2012. The base constructed a new West Gate in April 2012 and moved it further east to improve traffic safety on Interstate 15 and accommodate plans for additional Falcon Hill construction outside the gates.
Williamsen said Sunset Ridge is in the process of constructing a new commercial retail facility outside the West Gate to support the project.
“The retail area is over 10,000 square feet of building space for four retail establishments that will include restaurants,” he said.
The park takes up 550 acres along Hill’s west side. Williamsen said the program is entirely market driven and is expected to attract software, engineering, composite and computer companies. There are more than 100 potential projects in negotiations both inside and immediately outside Hill security gates, Williamsen said.
Contact reporter Mitch Shaw at 801-625-4233 or mishaw@standard.net. Follow him on Twitter at @mitchshaw23.
