Fire Station and Air Passenger Terminal

The purpose of this project is to construct a new fire station (26,325 square feet) and a new air passenger terminal (5,150 square feet) at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts. The scope of this project includes the demolition of Building 1639 and Building 1721. Building 1639 is an abandoned gas station that will be demolished to make room for the new fire station. Building 1721 is an existing multi-story facility that houses the existing fire station, air passenger terminal, safety offices, and Distinguished Visitor (DV) lounge. The existing fire station was constructed in 1956 and has never received a major renovation. The building does not meet the current Air Force Civil Engineering Dynamic Prototype Standard for a functional, compliant fire station. The existing fire station is undersized and poorly configured, making it difficult for the base fire department to adequately perform their mission.

The 35% design is comprised of two phases. Phase 1 is intended to demolish Building 1639 and construct the new fire station in this location. The new air passenger terminal will be built on the north side of existing Building 1721 adjacent to the flight line. Phase 2 is intended to demolish Building 1721 and then construct a new turn-around hammerhead drop off area with accessible parking over the existing demolition site to close out the remaining scope of work of the project. 

After a review of the project documents and presentations, the Value Team noted the following key challenges and issues:

• The project is 50% over budget.
• The existing fire station and air passenger terminal (Building 1721) must remain operational until both new facilities are constructed and operational.
• An abandoned gas station (Building 1639) sits on the current site for the new fire station. Soil contamination exists at this site, but the extent of the contamination has not been thoroughly evaluated. As such, the new building has been situated on the site to avoid the known contaminated area. Avoiding the contaminated area is causing an extensive rerouting of an existing 72-inch storm drain.
• The requirement of keeping Building 1721 operational forces the construction of the new air passenger terminal to be situated in a less than ideal location directly adjacent to the flight line. This constraint will require the relocation of the perimeter fence to accommodate the new construction.

The Value Study resulted in an estimated maximum potential cost avoidance of 32% which allowed the project to get back within budget.  The Value Study resulted in a return on investment of 49:1 and potential schedule savings of 8 months.