New Burns & McDonnell’s Readiness Center to Help Surveillance Brigade to Meet Training and Readiness Standards

Burns & McDonnell has extended its congratulations to the Georgia Army National Guard during the August 7^th dedication ceremonies for its new Atlanta Readiness Center, located just off of Fulton Industrial Blvd. in southwest Atlanta.

Designed by Burns & McDonnell, the readiness center is a state-of-the-art command and control center that allows the Guard's 3^rd-108^th Cavalry Squadron, 560^th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade to meet ever-increasing training and readiness standards.

The new Atlanta Regional Readiness Center is a two-story, 62,300-square-foot structure that has capacity for 185 personnel along with a sizeable amount of equipment and material needed for the Georgia Guard's training functions. The facility achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification and also meets all the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection requirements. In addition, the facility was selected as an American Council of Engineering Companies - Georgia (ACEC Georgia) Honors Award recipient for 2015 based upon several criteria including project uniqueness and innovative applications; future value to the engineering profession; perception by the public; social, economic and sustainable considerations; complexity; and successful fulfillment of client/owner needs including schedule and budget.

Constructed on a 116-acre tract, the project enabled redevelopment of state-owned property that had gone unused since 1999. The facility ground floor includes an attractive entry lobby leading into administrative offices, small arms trainer area, classrooms, fitness area and break rooms. The second floor incorporates supply and storage areas, drill hall and administrative areas for the assigned soldiers. Access to an adjacent military vehicle parking area and detached maintenance facility is also provided from the second floor. Exterior design features include low-slope standing seam metal roofs, brick and stucco walls, glass-fiber reinforced concrete window accents and columns and artificial limestone accent walls.