VICKSBURG, Miss. - The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) will soon have a new headquarters building in Vicksburg, Mississippi – a structure that will allow major elements of CSD and the Executive Office to be housed under the same roof for the first time in the organization’s history. Project construction, which is expected to last 28 months, began in April and has been long awaited and even longer needed according to ERDC Director Dr. Jeff Holland.
“It is truly an exciting thing for us to be able to build a new headquarters,” said Holland. “A world-class facility for a world-class organization – this opportunity is the product of many folks across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers working together wonderfully. And with the new facilities we have successfully completed across ERDC, we are positioning ourselves for the future.”
The new $47 million, 142,000 square foot building will include a four-story southern wing and a three-story northern wing, connected via a centrally located 6,100 square foot atrium that will feature an open-structure roof and three-story glass curtain walls, as well as state-of-the-art audio-visual displays and a stainless steel globe water feature surrounded by bench seating. Facility amenities include 4,500 square feet of classroom space; a 500-seat auditorium; a 100-seat conference room; a 50-seat video/teleconferencing room; a 3,000 square foot cafeteria/dining area and a 6,350 square foot archival library.
Health Services, Safety, Equal Employment, Contracting, Internal Review, the Directorate of Public Works (DPW), Public Affairs Office (PAO), Resource Management, the Office of Counsel, Security and the ERDC Executive Office will all be located in the new building, and every ERDC employee will have access to the facilities. The new central location, in the middle of campus, will help ensure that accessibility. Yates Construction is expected to bring in 150 workers to cover the project.
Phase 1A, expected to be completed within 150 days, will include the construction of the main portion of a new boulevard, which will lead directly to the headquarters building. Phases 1B and 1C will tie the boulevard to existing roads on campus, before moving into phases 2 and 3, which will encompass most of the building construction. Though there aren’t any announced closures or expected outages at this time, Holland said the nature of the work means there will be interruptions and detours. The construction site itself will also be gated and off-limits to non-approved personnel.
“Regular progress reports will be provided throughout this effort, and we will make sure you’re informed and aware,” said Holland. “Advanced notice will be given for any and all closures or delays, and changes will be well-marked and visible. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible, and that will remain a priority as we move forward.”
Weekly updates will be provided by PAO, including photos and videos, and Security and DPW will collaborate on road closures and detours. No official dates exist for each phasing – there is a schedule, but it is subject to change due to weather and other common construction delays. Also in the mix is a planned new front gate that will offer easier access to the building and boulevard, though details and timeframes are not currently available. The new facilities will replace outdated and deteriorating properties on the ERDC-Vicksburg campus.