The new six-storey building will be made of brick and glass. The structure spanning over an area of 500,000 square feet will serve as the future headquarters of the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning. It will accommodate the offices of commander of the Armor School, and a new Infantry School commander.
The facility will incorporate highly-efficient glass to allow maximum passage of natural light. It will also be equipped with solar panels across the roof to heat water and help heat the air in the structure. Other features of the building will include a food court on the lower level with a capacity of 800. It will also comprise advanced communications equipment in addition to a modified shelter.
The upgrade is the Army’s $3.5 billion plan to relocate the US Armour School from Fort Knox to train as a partner with the U.S. Infantry School on the same installation at Fort Benning as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process. About 92% of phase one of the project has been completed. The building will be operational by early August 2011. Phase two will involve work on the western portion and is expected to be over by April 2012.
