Commander briefs state of garrison
by Bob Kerr, Command Information Officer
Published: Thursday, July 20, 2006 1:14 PM CDT
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Garrison Commander Col. John Towers briefs employees on the "state of the garrison" July 18 at the Post Theater. Lamp photo by Prudence Siebert. |
The budget, privatization and Fort Leavenworth's future were among the topics discussed at "all-hands" briefings given by the garrison commander July 18 and 19.
With less than a month until he relinquishes command, Garrison Commander Col. John Towers said he wanted to give employees a "state of the garrison" briefing before leaving.
The agency that funds Army installations all over the world, the Installation Management Agency, is $552 million short for the current fiscal year, Towers said, and Fort Leavenworth is short $1.3 million. A number of steps have been taken to make up the shortfall, including a hiring freeze. The garrison has enough funds for payroll and utilities through FY 06, he said.
"One thing that I am confident of assuring you is that there will be no RIFs (reductions in force) or layoffs this year," he said. "I'd like to tell you that I can predict two or three years out, but I don't know. As you all know, because you're the ones who do the work, Fort Leavenworth is pretty much pared down to essential personnel."
Towers said budget projections are not optimistic, but he does not see any major changes coming for Fort Leavenworth's workforce.
On the subject of privatization, Towers pointed out that water and electrical utilities have already been privatized, but no bids were received for the natural gas system.
"Without the work of some of the folks in the (Directorate of Installation Support), electric in particular would not be successful because there are so many idiosyncrasies about the system on Fort Leavenworth," he said. "But it's working and it's going to happen across the Army.
"We've had no one interested in our natural gas system because it is antiquated and would cost a lot of money to be repaired," Towers said, adding that the fort is currently in negotiations with Kansas Gas Service.
The privatization of post housing began March 1 and has already seen more than 20 homes renovated, as well as construction started on new homes. Towers praised the Residential Communities Initiative team for its work on the transition, but admitted that the process has faced challenges and dissatisfied residents. As the process of renovating and building housing continues, he assured, housing on Fort Leavenworth will improve.
Towers next outlined more than $160 million in major renovation and construction projects that have been completed since 2002. These included the new U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Single Soldier Quarters, student family housing, and new school district facilities.
More than $144 million in construction is currently under way, Towers said, most significantly the new $115 million Lewis and Clark Center that will replace Bell Hall in 2007. The move is expected to be from January to March with the first Command and General Staff College class starting in the new facility in August 2007.
"Bell Hall comes down as soon as we have moved everyone out," he said. "There are three reasons for that. One is asbestos, which we're still wrestling with today. Two is the heating and air conditioning system is antiquated. And third is that structurally the building has shifted and engineer analysis says there is no point in trying to save Bell Hall."
The land where Bell Hall now stands will "go to grass," Towers said, adding that the site may be eventually used for another academic building or parking.
The demise of Bell Hall has also led to the $15 million renovation of Townsend Gym as a seminar facility for the Battle Command Training Program, he said.
Longer range plans discussed by Towers included a new chapel complex to be built north of Main Post Chapel. Plans for the new chapel began after St. Ignatius Chapel was destroyed by fire Dec. 16, 2001. In addition to Main Post Chapel and Memorial Chapel, religious services and activities are being conducted at several locations across post, including Munson Army Health Center, Garrison Headquarters, Bell Hall and Patch Community Center.
"We identified a need and the Army agreed to fund it," Towers said, "but with the money crunch, when we're going to build it continues to slide."
Towers said the original plan with the construction of the Lewis and Clark Center was to add an access control point on Bundel Road across Metropolitan Avenue from 4th Street. Money for the ACP's construction was absorbed in the building of the center, so the post is seeking separate funding.
Inside the walls of the old USDB are 10 historic buildings that can be renovated into office and classroom space, Towers said.
"As money becomes available, we will move agencies into the old DB," he said.
"Eventually, we will to move our School Age Services out of Patch (Community Center) and return that to admin space," he continued, "and erect a new building across the street from our current youth center (Harrold Youth Center on Biddle Boulevard)."
While many future projects face delays and funding uncertainties, the effects of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission on Fort Leavenworth seemed much firmer. The BRAC called for the creation of a joint regional custody facility at Fort Leavenworth and the closure of correctional facilities at Fort Knox, Ky.; Fort Sill, Okla; and Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
"It will be a 500-bed facility," he said. "It will be built kind of across the road from the current facility, so it will be able to share the power plant and things like that, but it will be separate facility."
The $66 million construction of the JRCF is funded by BRAC. The additional facilities needed to support the 212 service members staffing the JRCF - including additions to the Single Soldier Quarters, a dining facility, and battalion and company headquarters - could raise the total price to nearly $129 million, Towers said.
"It's all subject to funding, but that is the plan," he said.
Other agenda items included an up-coming A-76 study, the privatization of temporary lodging and the new cellular phone policy.
Towers said an announcement of an 18-month A-76 study of the Directorate of Installation Support is expected in September. More information on the competitive-sourcing process will follow with the formal announcement of the study.
In 2003, Fort Leavenworth Lodging was selected to be part of an eight-installation pilot program to privatize Army temporary lodging operations. Towers said the process has been slid back, but currently has an implementation target date of September 2007.
Towers also used the briefing as an opportunity to reinforce the new policy restricting the use of hand-held cell phones while operating a vehicle on post. The policy, which is being publicized throughout the post, is effective Aug. 1.
In closing, Towers pointed out that his command of the garrison will end at 8 a.m. Aug. 9 on Main Parade. Col. Timothy Weathersbee, a former commander of the 705th Military Police Battalion, will be assuming command of the garrison and Towers will depart for an assignment in Korea.
"Now that I've been in command here for 40 months, what I'd like to tell you from the bottom of my heart is you are wonderful Americans," Towers told the garrison staff and employees. "And the things you do for our Soldiers and their families and our country are enough to stir my soul."
