RICHMOND, Va. –
It started with a shovel in the ground and a vision for the future. Nearly a decade of planning, demolition and construction is culminating this fall as Defense Logistics Agency Aviation prepares to move employees into Building 47 at Defense Supply Center Richmond.
Move-ins are scheduled to begin in September and continue through October, following a phased approach starting with the fifth floor down to the first.
“We are planning to start with the 5th floor, and proceed to the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st floors in that sequence with about one week of move time for floors 3-5 and two weeks of move time for floors 1-2,” said David Gibson, site director for DLA Installation Management Richmond.
Why the move? The five-story facility, part of the DLA Aviation Operations Center complex, will facilitate the consolidation of the DLA Aviation workforce at DSCR into a modern, energy-efficient building. This military construction project is a significant step in the Installation Master Plan to improve the infrastructure.
Building 47 is the second and final phase of this military construction project. The design closely mirrors the layout of Building 46, while excluding the data center, cafeteria, training rooms and command suite. It essentially provides 281,000 square feet of administrative space for 1,645 occupants. The project began with clearing the area by demolishing Building 33, a location with nearly 300,000 square feet of administrative and warehouse space. The capacity gained from the Building 47 project is quite significant in facilitating consolidation and future plans at DSCR.
The journey began Oct. 15, 2015, with a groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I. By June 2019, the Phase I building – now known as Building 46 – opened with a ribbon-cutting, welcoming about 875 employees into a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver-certified workspace.
In May 2021, over 220 employees relocated to temporary trailers as demolition crews cleared the path where Building 33 once stood. By August 2022, construction of Building 47 was halfway complete.
Moving in: what to expect
Employees will receive a detailed occupant manual ahead of the move, similar to the one issued for Building 46, Gibson said. Three sessions of Building Safety, Security and Operations training will be held at the Lotts Conference Center to ensure a smooth transition of the workforce into their new workspace.
Inside Building 47, each floor will include two break rooms with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, sink and paper towel dispenser. Vending machines will be available, with product options expected to mirror those in Building 46.
The “Sundry Shop” operated by Virginia Opportunities for the Blind will be moving from Building 31 to a space on the first floor in Building 47. This shop will have similar products as provided in the current shop.
No cafeteria? No problem
Building 47 will not include a cafeteria or MWR/NAF food service operation. Employees can continue using Centre Perk Café and Centre Bistro 46 in Building 46.
Although Building 47 will not include a large conference room or auditorium, occupants can use the meeting rooms and conference rooms in Building 46, along with the Lotts Conference Center that is adjacent to Building 46. In addition, DLA Installation Management is designing a plan to renovate two bays in Building 32 to serve as additional training and conference spaces. This project will begin in fiscal 2026 as a two-year project.
Infrastructure and policy
Building 47 was constructed to LEED Silver standards, including motion-sensor lighting to reduce energy usage in unused spaces.
Fire wardens, safety monitors and facility coordinators will be integral to managing the facility. DLA Installation Management and DLA Aviation Safety will coordinate with the DLA Aviation Directorates to identify primary and backup assignments per floor.
“Our current rules will apply to Building 47,” Gibson confirmed, referring to existing restrictions against space heaters, humidifiers and plug-in air fresheners.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) will not be placed in Building 47. The AED program was reduced to have them only in facilities that require them, such as the fitness center, child development center and cafeteria, as a few examples. DLA Fire and Emergency Services response times are well under the DOD standard of 7 minutes, and during that time, advanced life support interventions can begin to take place and the patient can be transported to a local emergency room.
Parking, fitness and future space
Landscaping will be completed before occupants move in, ensuring access is not impeded by unfinished grounds.
“We will use the same parking and traffic policy for the installation. We will contact anyone whose reserved parking space changes as a result of this move,” Gibson said.
A designated commuter van parking area is under consideration.
The Bellwood Credit Union ATM will remain in Building 46 at its current location.
The Red Brick Fitness Center will continue to operate as-is in Building 32. The Lotts Conference Center will remain and continue to be used in Building 31.
Temporary trailers 194 and 195 will be demolished and removed from DSCR after they are vacated. Modular Buildings 91–94 will be used by DLA J6 Richmond until renovations are complete in Building 32; ultimately, these modular buildings will also be removed from DSCR.
Almost home
“This phased approach has allowed us to maintain operations while building a future-focused headquarters,” Gibson said. “We’re excited to welcome employees into a new space designed to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s mission.”
Look for opportunities to clear things out ahead of the move, such as shred events or set aside time to clear out some things and get organized. Prior to a move is a good time to reduce clutter. A more detailed move schedule will be forthcoming as the dates get closer. So, grab a rolling cart, clear your desk and get ready – because this fall, the only thing better than fresh coffee might be that new-building smell.