Quality of Life initiatives provide updated living areas for Wiesbaden troops

Courtesy Photo | This is a renovated hallway in one of the military barracks that the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden's Directorate of Public Works has completed.  

WIESBADEN, HE, GERMANY

12.02.2021

Story by Connie Dickey 

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden   

WIESBADEN, Germany – The U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Directorate of Public Works has been busy renovating several military barracks so troops have a more modern and cheerful place to gather.

“Our workforce and contracted partners take great pride in these barracks improvements. We understand the necessity of quality of life for the Soldiers. It is a privilege to support the war fighter here in Europe,” said Shawn Priet, operations officer with DPW.

As part of the USAG Wiesbaden Barracks Improvement Plan, DPW’s Operations and Maintenance Division’s short range plan included renovating more than eight dayrooms, a dozen kitchens and three outside gazebos. Six more kitchens are scheduled to be renovated with a completion date of February 2022.

Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army Europe-Africa, housed in building 1208, has been the recipient of many of the barracks renovations. According to Battalion Command Sgt. Maj., Sgt. Maj. Joseph Daniel, the renovations highlight the team work between the Main Command Post Company and the Garrison.

“Garrison has been amazing with helping to support our barracks and improve the Soldiers’ lives that live there,” Daniel said.

Capt. Arnishkia Nelson, Company Commander of the Main Command Post Company, echoed that sentiment. “We started this process in March 2021 - actual work began in October and we’ve had a great working team effort with our Soldiers here, Sgt. Keffer and the crew from DPW,” she said.

The DPW maintenance crew and Sgt. Austin Keffer, barracks manager, coordinated which Soldiers would rotate to a temporary residence so work in their rooms and hallways could be done.

“I cannot say enough good things about the DPW maintenance crew,” Nelson said. “They were always accommodating to our needs, are hard-working, honest and always gave us a briefing after they finished their work.”

She said throughout the process, none of the Soldiers’ items were broken, damaged or stolen, which lessened the anxiety of Soldiers having to leave their belongings for work to be done.
The barracks has also received new kitchens, a day room renovation and continuing work on new floors and walls being painted.

In addition, the Air Force airmen in building 1207 has also received a new dayroom and other renovations to their building.

Tech Sgt. Juan Batista with the 402nd Intelligence Squadron and barracks manager, explained that he had an open two-room suite on the building’s third floor, which they worked with DPW to transform into their dayroom.

“The DPW crew completed the renovations and installation of the new dayroom in September. We have furniture, a television and a foosball table in there now. We put up posters and have installed a DVD player,” he said. They are now working to get the unit to fund AFN for the airmen to view.

USAG Wiesbaden Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Russell has only been onboard at the garrison for a few months, but has already gotten up to speed on the garrison’s Barracks Improvement Plan.
“The quality of life and comfort of our service members here at Wiesbaden is of paramount importance. I am thrilled to see the progress our great DPW team has made already on these barracks improvements, and look forward to what’s next,” Russell said.

The directorate’s mid-range plan, which will be overseen by the Engineering Division, includes replacing bathroom faucets, exhaust fans and installing door vents.

The plan also includes installing bottle filler stations and kitchen filters for each floor, installing room ceiling fans and providing stairwell and hallway facelifts.

The Engineering and Master Planning Divisions at DPW are preparing for whole building renovations that should begin in fiscal year 2024 and be completed in fiscal year 2030. Those renovations are the more costly improvements and take longer overall. For the 1000 series buildings, at roughly 35,000 square feet, the cost will be $5.6 million. For the 1200 series buildings, at roughly 46,000 square feet, the cost will be $9.2 million.

• Date Taken: 12.02.2021
• Date Posted: 12.06.2021 08:48
• Story ID: 410485
• Location: WIESBADEN, HE, DE