A second United States Army reserve center may be coming to Newark.
If built the new center would support the training and mobilization of eleven existing USAR units. The existing eleven USAR units currently occupy approximately 18,603 square feet of space in the existing Fleming-Godwin ARC in Dover, Delaware; and approximately 21,072
square feet of space in the existing Cape Henlopen ARC facility in Lewes, Delaware.
The Army says the new facility is needed because the existing facilities do not meet:
(1) the current training and mission requirements for the units and the eleven units will not be able to properly conduct fundamental training to meet readiness and mobilization objectives; and
(2) the current antiterrorism force protection (AT/FP) setback distances from adjacent roads and parking. The existing Cape Henlopen ARC was constructed in 1959 and is located on 5.2 acres in Lewes, DE. The ARC is currently over-utilized at 128 percent. There is no room for future
expansion and no adjacent properties are available for purchase.
The Fleming-Godwin USARC is located on four acres in Dover, DE. Both the training building and vehicle maintenance shop (VMS) were constructed in 1958 and each is extremely overutilized at 236 percent and 159 percent, respectively. There is no room for future expansion and
adjacent properties are unavailable for purchase.
AT/FP standards require that Army Reserve facilities maintain a buffer from roads and parking lots based on the structural design of the facility. Neither of the existing ARCs is compliant with current AT/FP setback distances from adjacent roads and parking.
If this center is not built, the existing eleven units will be forced to operate in facilities not properly configured to allow the most effective training to complete mission requirements, read a report outlining the need for the new center. This will continue to have a negative impact on unit readiness and retention objectives.
Plans call for the construction and operation of a new ARC and associated support facilities at the existing AFRC in Newark, Delaware, for eleven Army Reserve units relocating from the existing Fleming-Godwin ARC in Dover, Delaware, and the existing Cape Henlopen ARC in Lewes, Delaware. Proposed facilities include a 33,000-square-foot (sf) ARC Building, an 11,000-sf co-located Branch Maintenance Activity (BMA) / Vehicle Maintenance Shop (VMS), and a 3,000-sf Organizational Storage Building. The proposed new ARC will also provide for unit storage, stormwater management features and adequate parking space for military (7,650-square yards) and privately-owned vehicles (4,900-square yards).
The proposed ARC building will provide for administrative, educational and arms vault space.
Assembly, kitchen, weapons simulator, classrooms, and physical fitness areas are already provided at the existing AFRC on the property. The co-located BMA/VMS will be constructed to the modified Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility standard design, which will provide
standard size 32’X96′ drive-thru work bay(s) (comprised of a 16’x32′ work area per bay), tool/parts storage, flammable/controlled waste storage, battery room, fluid distribution, work bay safety aisle, equipment alcove, restrooms, standard automotive tool set trailer canopy,
maintenance administrative support, concrete aprons, and vehicle wash rack/platform(s).
The proposed buildings will be of permanent construction with reinforced concrete foundations; concrete floor slabs; reinforced concrete or masonry walls; low-slope or sloped roof; and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, mechanical, security, and electrical systems.
Supporting activities include land clearing, paving, fencing, general site improvements, and utility connections. All buildings and structures will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Physical security and AT/FP measures will be incorporated into the design including
maximum standoff distances from roads, parking areas and vehicle unloading areas.
The proposed ARC will be designed with a goal to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards. Sustainable design and development and Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct, 2005) features will also be incorporated into the facility design. Facilities will be designed to a minimum life of 40 years in accordance with Department of Defense’s Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC 1-200-02) including energy efficiencies, building envelope and integrated building systems performance. Energy- and water-efficient utilities, such as toilets and sinks, would be used. The proposed new ARC would house relocated equipment and personnel from the Cape Henlopen ARC in Lewes, Delaware and the Fleming-Godwin ARC in Dover, Delaware. Approximately 15 full-time personnel would be required for the operation and maintenance of the proposed facilities and equipment. Some of these positions will likely be filled by staff currently performing these tasks at the Cape Henlopen and Fleming-Godwin ARCs; however, new hires may be required to replace personnel that cannot relocate
Plans call for the center to be built on the undeveloped portion of land at the existing Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC) at 1001 Ogletown Road in Newark, Delaware. This approximately 20.65-acre site was redeveloped as an AFRC circa 2012 and is hereafter referred to as the “Property”. The western portion of the Property which encompasses approximately 6.6 acres of undeveloped land is hereafter referred to as the “Preferred Site”. The existing AFRC buildings and associated parking areas occupy the eastern portion of the Property and serve units from the USAR and Delaware Army National Guard. The proposed ARC would be constructed adjacent to and west of the existing AFRC on the Preferred Site. The Preferred Site is a predominantly level, mowed field that is currently undeveloped but was previously disturbed during the regrade and construction of the existing
Officials are seeking public comment regarding the proposed new center. Plans have been submitted to Federal, state and local agencies for review and are available for public review at the Newark Free Library, 750 Library Avenue, Newark, DE,
19711; the Wilmington Public Library, 10 E. 10th Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801; and online.
The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2023.