JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The $31.8 million, 45,747 square-foot Strategic Planning and Development Facility going up on Andrews Air Force Base, Md., is almost 40 percent complete. When finished, the facility will be the premier Air Force Conference Center, with state-of-the-art video-teleconferencing and information technology capabilities.
The SPDF will host strategic and transformational planning sessions, allowing national leadership to assemble in a single location to examine and develop doctrine, strategy and policy.
Built in tandem with the new 258 room visitors' quarters, the complex will house visiting attendees and provide a modern, professional conference center for senior level conference events.
The SPDF is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "Silver" certifiable energy efficient project. Using LEEDS, the facility design incorporates technology, construction and maintenance features that both reduce the impact on the environment and save energy.
"The project is a prime example of responding to an Air Force mission requirement in a way that is best for our Air Force and the environment," said Dr. Mike Hassan, Air Force District of Washington Command Civil Engineer.
Construction of the SPDF began in June 2009 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2010.
The Strategic Planning and Development Facility will contain $6 million of state-of-the-art communication technology with secure video teleconferencing capabilities, language translation, an auditorium, six conference rooms, and six general officer suites.
The facility will accommodate more than 800 people at full capacity. The main auditorium will seat 265 people. A 150-seat executive conference room will be equipped to provide the latest communications automation and planning technology. A multifunction room will accommodate up to 300 people and will be divisible into two smaller areas for meetings and conferences. Other meeting rooms will seat between 30 and 60 guests.
Communications, furnishing, equipment and staffing will be in place to open the facility for conference operations in the summer of 2011, when the facility will be fully operational.