Instead of shovels in the earth, Army officials brought in an excavator and mixed demolition with the groundbreaking for a $477 million project at Aberdeen Proving Ground yesterday.
After all, a nine-building complex that is the base's first major BRAC-related construction should resonate a little louder than an ordinary observance.
The complex - named C4ISR for the acronym that denotes its mission: command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance - begins the base realignment and closure initiative that is expected to expand the Harford County post by nearly 10,000 jobs in the next three years.
"Today, we turn concept into reality," said Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, chairman of the state's BRAC readiness committee. "This is a symbol of progress for BRAC readiness."
Although a line of generals and officials were literally digging shovels into a box of sand, Brown said, "There is nothing more concrete than these steps we are taking."
About 5,000 of the new jobs will be in the 1.5-million-square-foot communications complex that will spread across 250 acres. The cluster of buildings - nine in the first phase and three in the second - will house offices, test centers and labs, officials said.
Several hundred people filled a $7,000 tent, set up to ward off the chill, and listened as numerous speakers expounded on the project's importance to soldiers in the field and national security.
"This complex will be the most visible part of what will become the changed installation here, with C4ISR as the hub," said Maj. Gen. Fred D. Robinson Jr., head of the Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. "We are looking at the future of high-tech that will make a difference every day to our war fighters and the future of our nation."
Maj. Gen. Dennis Via, whose command will be moving to Aberdeen from Fort Monmouth, a New Jersey base slated to close, called the groundbreaking a significant milestone that create a world-class communications campus at APG.
"This is a once-in-a-generation investment in personnel and facilities," Via said. "This begins in earnest the phased relocation of our people. We do so with great confidence in continuing to execute our mission."
Construction will begin in the next few months, as soon as some 25 World War II-era buildings - long vacant - are razed. Most of one came down easily and noisily yesterday as an excavator's shovel tore into its roof.
"People should realize what an infusion BRAC will be into our economy," said Harford Councilwoman Veronica "Roni" Chenowith. "It is not just the dollars from construction, but what it will mean to our schools, for jobs and for our community."
mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com
