Aged Peterson dormitory demolished

Published Nov. 9, 2009
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo -- Demolition of an Airman dormitory is underway on Peterson Air Force Base and is expected to be completed by mid-November.

The dorm, Building 1156, has been vacant for several years. The 37,170-square-foot building was identified for demolition because of its age and because it does not meet current Air Force building standards.

"Some older buildings have been remodeled," said Roger Williams, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron inspector. "But, this building does not meet anti-terrorism force protection criteria and it could not be corrected."

The building, which is adjacent to the dormitory Discovery Hall along Stewart Avenue, opened in 1988 and was once home to nearly 100 Airmen. A key safety issue was that dorm rooms opened into a hall. Newer dorms have doors that open to the outside of the building.

Last year, crews demolished one of the base's oldest buildings at the corner of Ent Avenue and Suffolk Street, and there are plans to raze three other buildings on Peterson in the coming months, said Joshua Ludwig, 21st SW CE project manager.

Demolition projects across Air Force bases are part of the "20/20 by 2020" project. Air Force buildings that no longer meet building standards or are poorly utilized are being torn down. The goal is to reduce 20 percent of real property square footage and reduce energy and maintenance costs by 20 percent by the year 2020, Mr. Ludwig said.

"We (Peterson) have a plan out to 2014 to get rid of another 8 percent (of real property square footage)," Mr. Ludwig said.

The demolition company, Spiral Solutions, based in Idaho with an office in Colorado Springs, has crews with huge cranes carefully scrapping and salvaging the old dorm building, which borders Otis Street on its western side.

Mr. Williams said that about 45 percent of the dorm building being demolished will be recycled. All brick, copper and steel will be recycled - much more than the mandated 25 percent. Once the building is down and the site is cleared, the project will be on hold until spring.

"They'll come back and do irrigation and sod," Mr. Williams said. "They'll reclaim the whole area."

The future grassy-area will be part of the dormitory complex, giving it a campus feel.

Dormitory