Joint Base Andrews unveiled the Air Force’s first Green Building, the William A. Jones building. In a ceremony attended by Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donely, Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force Robert Corsi, Joint Base Andrews Commander Colonel Kenneth Rizer, AFDW Commander General Darren McDew, Congressman Steny Hoyer and President of the Prince Georges County Business Roundtable Jim Estepp. Joint Base Andrews celebrated a huge advancement in eco friendly operations and a huge success in unveiling the building 6 months ahead of schedule. The building was not only completed ahead of schedule, but it was also $70 million under budget; to a budget strapped Department of Defense, this is a crowning achievement.
The building was named for Medal of Honor recipient, Colonel William Atkinson Jones and is truly a testament to the builders and the Air Force’s determination to stay on track on under budget. The building is even more impressive when you take into account that for most of the project the building size was fluid, it was expected to house the entire Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) staff and the fact that Andrews was force to relocate 900 personnel after they were unable to be placed at the Pentagon.
The building boasts 380,000 sq. ft. on 17 acres of land hosting 2300 personnel across 65 different offices. The building possesses 64 meeting rooms, 8 secure video/ teleconference rooms and 13 open classified storage areas. The building was built using 20% recycled materials, a green roof and recycles and treats up to 90% of its storm water. In furthering its ecological commitment with this building, the building landscape uses native plants and a passive optical network which reduces IT maintenance and energy costs.
Secretary Donley commented that the building is a very big beginning in the Air Force’s commitment to the environment and operating efficiently. Representative Hoyer added that completing the building ahead of schedule and under budget shows what the Air Force is capable. As the first eco friendly building, the Jones building will surely be used a benchmark in the future.
Joint Andrews truly showed its commitment to operating efficiently and responsibly with the unveiling of this building.
Comments