New York National Guard conducts symbolic groundbreaking for new headquarters entryway on Thursday, August 11

Latham, NY (08/09/2022) — The New York National Guard will hold a symbolic groundbreaking to launch a $3.7 million project to design a new entryway for the 36-year-old headquarters building in Latham.

WHO: Army Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York, retired Army Brig. Gen. Gary Yaple, Director of Facilities for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, and representatives from the New York State Office of General Services.

WHAT: A groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of a $3.7 million project to redo the entryway to 5,085 square-foot New York National Guard headquarters in Latham. The building was originally designed with a drive running between buildings. Following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 that drive was closed off and the grounds have been redesigned.

WHEN: Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Division of Military and Naval Affairs, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110

Coverage Opportunities: Reporters will be able to obtain still and video images of the groundbreaking at the National Guard headquarters. Interviews with National Guard leaders.

Members of the news media must contact the NY National Guard public affairs office at 518-786-4581 for access to this secure military facility.

BACKGROUND

The Joint Force Headquarters addition

The Joint Force Headquarters complex in Latham will undergo $3.7 million in renovations to upgrade interior spaces, improve efficiency, and meet Federal Antiterrorism Force Protection requirements.

The original National Guard complex was comprised of a two-story armory building and four-story headquarters office building with a second-floor connector. Originally the facility was designed with a driveway running underneath that second-floor bridge and executive parking outside the facility.

The 5,085 square feet addition will unify the buildings by enclosing the open space below the connector to create a new lobby and entrance vestibules for a single, common entrance into both buildings.

The new reception and security desk is configured to provide optimal supervision of the new vestibules and waiting areas. Seating is positioned opposite the display areas to allow ideal viewing opportunities and additional breakout seating is anticipated in the office building atrium.

The interior design will take advantage of natural light, contemporary finishes, and updated acoustical wall treatment to create a more formal, secure, and welcoming arrival point. While building systems upgrades including LED lighting, wireless access points and camera system will enhance energy-efficiency and security.

The exterior will be primarily full-height aluminum curtain walls combined with painted glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels and ribbon windows to create a streamlined appearance and complement the existing exterior systems. The entrance approach will be enhanced for visitors and staff by new sidewalks aligned with the new entrances and landscaping.

NYS Office of General Services (OGS) Division of Design and Construction is managing the renovation project for the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. OGS engaged the services of architecture+ in collaboration with MJ Engineering (civil design), Spring Line Design (structural design), and Jade Stone Engineering (building systems design) to develop the design.

The Office of General Services awarded the work to four prime contractors: AOW Associates, Inc. (Construction Contract), Lacorte Companies, Inc (Electrical Contract), S & O Construction Services, Inc (HVAC Contract), Tri-Valley Plumbing & Heating, Inc. (Plumbing Contract).

Work is expected to take 14 months with completion in October 2023.

The Division of Military and Naval Affairs / NY National Guard Joint Force Headquarters

The Joint Force Headquarters complex, constructed in the mid-1980's, is home to the command and staff of the New York National Guard, with about 400 military and civilian staff working in the complex each day and another 320 traditional drilling citizen Soldiers who support the headquarters mission.

The headquarters includes the office of the adjutant general and the headquarters for the New York Army National Guard, New York Air National Guard, New York Naval Militia and New York Guard state defense force and the joint operations center for New York's military forces.

The facility also includes an armory complex that supports the 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company and the 206th Military Police Company. These units bring in nearly 300 traditional citizen Soldiers for drill training from across the Capital Region.

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