The National Park Service (NPS) is gearing up for its first major construction project at the Vancouver Barracks, located on the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
The multi-million dollar, multi-faceted project is scheduled to begin this spring and will include the rehabilitation of several buildings including Building 987, a 33,000-square-foot historic double-barracks, Building 404, a modern 5,000-square-foot maintenance building, phase I utility replacement, as well as the exterior rehabilitation of two additional large double-barracks, 989 and 993.
As part of the project, under a long-term lease arrangement with the NPS, buildings 987 and 404 will house the Gifford Pinchot National Forest headquarters and the Columbia Cascades Communication Center.
Contracted construction work will include creating office space and related uses for the 90-100 USDA Forest Service staff in the historic barracks, and converting Building 404, the former Army vehicle maintenance shop, into the Forest Service radio dispatch center.
Included in the project are upgrades to improve the building’s energy performance. Modern interior walls and other recent alterations will be removed to achieve a more open and light-filled environment.
“This project is an exciting local connection to the National Park Service’s Centennial in 2016, and supports our Centennial goals in a dynamic and inclusive way,” said Tracy Fortmann, Superintendent of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. “Preservation of these core buildings is crucial for the National Park Service to tell the story of the U.S. Army at Vancouver Barracks and will facilitate a strong foundation in the National Park Service’s existing and future interpretive and educational programs.”
Utility work within the initial phase of construction will focus on replacing and upgrading the infrastructure near the northern end of Vancouver Barracks and will include improvements to power, water, sewer and storm sewer systems.
The combined value of the construction contract is estimated to be between $10 million and $14 million. Construction is expected to be wrapped up in 2016.
