2007 Project Status Report
North Parking Lot--COMPLETE
On Wednesday, November 21 work was substantially complete on a new North Parking Lot project to reconstruct parking north of Building 2 and west of Building 4. Law General Contracting of Newark was the contractor.
The project originally created 190 parking spaces in a configuration similar to the west parking lot completed in 2004. The lot doubles as a visitor and public parking area that is complies with homeland security standards. However, a season of experience with the lot shows the need to reconfigure to wider aisles and spaces. A new, larger 200 s.f. space is called for now and in the future. The lot will be restriped in Spring 2008 to accommodate wider spacing.
Motorcyle/Bicycle Lot--COMPLETE
On September 17, a new lot for motorcyle and bicycle parking on the west side of The Base opened. Law General Contracting began work Sept. 4. The new lot is designed to be safer, with its own entrance/exit off of the entrance road as opposed to the former configuration which was off the slanted, upper lot access road. The new lot has a modern bike lock mechanism for bicycles with 13 spaces for bikes and 20 for motorcyles. Additionally, a newly-designated motorcycle lot on the east side is also planned near the electric substation. Combined with existing such spaces, the transportation facilities at The Base can now accommodate 5% of the workforce commuting to work using these two modes of transportation.
Concrete Work--COMPLETE
Work has begun to spot repair concrete at various locations on the Base Campus of the COATC, including bridges and storm sewer collection. Also, a contract for concrete work related to future walking path plans has also been let. Both projects could see detours and traffic disruptions during work and curing times.
The contract was awarded to Layton Excavating of Newark and work began Sept. 17.
Sanitary Sewer Repairs--COMPLETE
A recent camera inspection of the sewer line outside Post 3 revealed a highly corroded steel pipe blocking a portion of the sewer line. Old prints for the area did not satisfactorily reveal the nature of the pipe and what it is carrying so it was decided to excavate the site and effect permanent repairs. After a bit of extra excavation work, the pipe was located and removed. The work is being accomplished by Layton Excavating and was substantially completed September 10.
Post 3 Downspouts--COMPLETE
Claggett & Sons of Newark was contracted to reconfigure downspouts on the north side of Post 3 as a measure its hoped will improve safety and ease maintenance. The area has seen increased pedestrian traffic since the installation of smoker hut in 2005 and has been a source of concern for possible slips and falls during the winter.
Patio Landscaping--COMPLETE
A project to update the patio landscaping is now complete. A hedge row at the southern end of the patio was removed and new plantings were installed by Village Landscaping of Newark. The project comes about from customer comments seeking a more colorful, updated look on the patio. See a detailed project review at Base TV.
Demolition--COMPLETE
From July 3 through mid August, R&L Excavating of Hanover undertook a multi-part project to raze the former tornado shelter and what else remains from the area where the former child day care facility was located. The final product is a marketable, greenfield building site. The project also included removal of Building 17, a maintenance shed located on the west side of the Base Campus. This removal makes way for the new North Parking Lot and security improvements in that area of the campus.
Paving Project--COMPLETE
Shelly Company of Thornville completing repaving of the west entrance roadway as part of several paving projects on the Base Campus in mid July. Other project areas include a problem area south of the warehouse, resealing of the parking lot east of the water tower, and a cutout section on the east side outside of Post 9 was also be paved. The last of the work was completed Monday, July 16 with some minor restriping items to follow in the near future. One key change: the parking lot east of the water tower will be restriped as a handicapped parking area only.
Sewer Force Main Repair--COMPLETE
Claggett & Sons of Newark has completed a repair of the sanitary sewer force main that connects the COATC Base Campus sewer lines to the City of Heath's system. The existing force main was replaced with a new line under Ramp Creek. Work began in early July with site preparation and pipe construction.
Softball Field Demise--COMPLETE
The long-sought Air Force project to cleanup the last remaining USAF-owned parcel on the grounds of the former Newark AFB (see above) brought about the demise of the former Base softball field. The softball field was under lease to the City of Heath Parks Department for two seasons. That lease was terminated and the last official use of the field was Sunday, April 29. The softball field's equipment (bases, benches, etc.) was made available to the City of Heath, at no charge, for redeployment at area ball fields. Fences and backstop were sold via online auction. The infield was plowed over on May 16.
Day Care Buildings Removal--COMPLETE
As expected, Southtowne Kids Club relocated to the former Hopewell Credit Union building adjacent to the COATC on Heath Road. The relocation caused the Port Authority to sell the five modular buildings, which were removed the week of May 7. Loose debris was removed under a contract with Got Junk. Later, the former tornado shelter and what else remains will be razed.
West Side Parking Lot Lights--COMPLETE
An electric problem causing the failure of the west side parking lot and entrance lighting in February and March was resolved. The problem was first isolated to the entrance roadway, meaning the parking lots are now fully illuminated. Base personnel are still encouraged to act safely when parking and walking in these areas during times it is dark outside.
Landscaping Compliance--COMPLETED
A City of Heath ordinance bans mulch from being placed anywhere within three feet of a commercial building. In order to improve compliance, several landscaping beds on campus have seen mulch replaced with a washed river gravel. Village Landscaping conducted the work during the first part of January. Building 2 was the most-impacted of the buildings on campus.
See the archive of projects completed in 2006.
