Design-build project expands base’s taxiway system, helipads and maintenance hangars.

When combat-ready aviation forces must be deployed on short notice anywhere around the world, they typically are launched from the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California. That makes it doubly crucial that members of the base’s 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing have adequate facilities for maintenance of MV-22 and CH-53K helicopters, plus ready access to the fighters to facilitate training and operations.

As the A/E of Record, FSB was proud to meet this critical national security need through construction of two new maintenance hangars, 4 and 7, plus additional improvements. The overall design of Hangar 7 included support shops, administrative space and infrastructure. It also addressed anti-terrorism/force protection needs specific to this facility, and provided for smooth integration of future security upgrades.

Construction of the new hangar was part of a larger $103 million design-build project that included replacing and expanding an existing asphalt taxiway system, five new PCC helipads and expanding an existing maintenance hangar.

FSB’s design team and the contractor developed an aggressive, multiple-design submittal package concept which allowed construction on all portions of the project to begin early, with coordinated completion of each package that resulted in delivering the project to the government one year ahead of the original RFP schedule. This strategic plan included weekly meetings between the design-build team and government stakeholders, reduced government review times and early shop drawing submittal and approvals. This strategy greatly accelerated the design and construction schedule and reduced construction costs by 25%.