STUTTGART, Germany — Installation Management Command-Europe has received more than $180 million from the Army to modernize and upgrade aging facilities across Europe, tackling some back-burner projects in need of attention, officials say.
IMCOM-E officials recently learned they will receive 100 percent funding for Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization requests, marking the first time the Army has fully funded these kinds of requests from Europe.
"There is a recognition that some things require some additional funding, so through this active dialogue within the Beltway there’s been a result in recent years of slightly increasing amounts of SRM coming to the field. This happened to be particularly good year," said Al Rasper, chief of IMCOM-Europe’s Public Works Division.
Improved barracks, libraries, street lights and roads are some of the initiatives planned, according to IMCOM-E officials. More than 300 new work orders will be added to the list of restoration projects taking place in IMCOM-E’s jurisdiction. The funding, coupled with last year’s SRM funds, translates into improvement projects that have historically suffered from insufficient funding, according to IMCOM-E.
The work doesn’t involve breaking ground on flashy new projects such as movie theaters or recreation centers. However, important infrastructure will be targeted and facilities will be getting upgrades, such as expansion to some fitness centers and libraries. In the case of barracks, improvements will range from small patchwork repairs to full-scale interior refurbishments.
The projects will vary, depending on the needs of a given community, Rasper said.
"When you’re making that sort of investment in the local area it’s going to make an impact," he said.
Some $38 million is dedicated to transformation programs and making sure that units that move around and reorganize in theater have the resources they need at their new locations.
"We’ll be able to get into that location beforehand and spruce it up," Rasper said.
Other spending includes:
$4.6 million for transportation infrastructure, which will mainly be dedicated to improving the airfield at Ansbach.$10.3 million for barracks improvements.$13.9 million for energy efficiency projects.$9.3 million for community facilities upgrades.$108.2 million for general installation improvements.The projects will be carried out in the next couple of years.
