Army Spins a Contract

This is what a U.S. Army press release looks like:

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LOUISVILLE, KY – The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $51.5 million contract to KBE Ventures, A Joint Venture of KBE Building Corporation & Derita Construction Co., Inc., of Farmington, Conn., for construction of the Middletown Armed Forces Reserve Center at Cucia Park in the City of Middletown, Conn.

The contract award emphasizes what can be accomplished when residents, community and congressional leaders and the Army work together. “I want to thank the Middletown, Connecticut and congressional leadership for their partnership to bring this project to fruition,” said Col. Keith Landry, Commander and District Engineer, Louisville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Most importantly, a big thanks to the Middletown residents who offered their invaluable support and input into the process. We could not have awarded this contract without all of the community support.”

Middletown Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano agreed with Col. Landry regarding the active input of the City’s residents.

“I think the whole process was enhanced by the active and passionate involvement of our citizens, those that were immediately impacted and those that weren’t. I think the City’s citizen Army Base Advisory Panel and the work of our Planning Office can be models on how something like this can work and the communications level necessary between a local municipality and the Army. I also give credit to the Army for their willingness to listen to our needs, concerns and issues and their willingness to include those thoughts into site selection and now construction. Middletown will welcome the Army to town,” said Giuliano.

The contract includes construction of a 164,000 square-foot training facility with administrative, educational, assembly, library, learning center, vault, weapons simulator, and physical fitness areas for four Army Reserve units and six Connecticut Army National Guard units.

M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut stated, “Today’s announcement regarding construction award of the Middletown Armed Forces Reserve Center, signifies we have cleared yet another critical gate in the process of delivering this project for Soldiers in our Connecticut National Guard. Although several gates still remain I am encouraged by the collaborative manner with which the Corps, the city and the many stakeholders are now working to make this sorely needed project happen.”

The 42-acre park is zoned industrial. The reserve center support facilities include a 35,000 square-foot Organizational Maintenance Shop and a 3,886 square-foot unheated storage building. In addition, the contract includes associated parking areas, walkways and access roads. Approximately 100 full-time personnel are expected to use the campus.

“I am pleased that the Army is moving forward on the Cucia Park site, and balancing the needs of the community with those of Connecticut men and women who serve in the Army Reserve and National Guard,” Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro said. “Today’s announcement is the direct result of the Army ultimately listening to the concerns of the city and its residents to ensure that a mutually agreeable site was selected. I believe the Center will provide both a much needed new home for Connecticut’s Guard and Reservists and benefits for our community at large, and I will continue to work with the Army, the city and the Middletown community to ensure proper development of the site.”

“This marks a proud occasion not only for the citizens of Middletown, but also for those who serve so proudly in the Connecticut National Guard and the Reserves," said Sen. Joe Lieberman. "This state of the art facility will provide our brave service members with greatly improved training and quality of life, making them better prepared to defend our country."

The reserve campus is proposed to be built at a former industrial site currently known as the Cucia Park on Smith Street in Middletown. The U.S. Army Reserves 99th Regional Support Command has applied for a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act from the New England District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps issued a public notice on Aug. 11, 2009, and is currently reviewing the application in collaboration with Federal resource agencies. The Corps will issue, deny, or issue with special conditions, a permit for the Cucia Park site.

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