Renovations to historic Fort Crook building nearly complete

  • Published
  • By Delanie Stafford
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Renovations being made to an Offutt building listed under the "Fort Crook District" of the National Register of Historic Places is on schedule to be completed this summer.

The two-story building, identified as Building 49, was built in 1894 and is receiving the finishing touches of a three-year, $5 million renovation project that will provide 32,000 square feet of updated office space.

"We consider this building to be a real benefit to the wing because of the square footage," said Jerry Kotlik, a 55th Civil Engineering Squadron project manager who oversaw the project. "Parking may also be more convenient for the public - they'll be able to come in and out of the facility a little easier."

The 55th Mission Support Group and 55th Force Support Squadron are planning to occupy the building once the renovations are complete.

"One of the greatest benefits is going to be the location," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Trisha Loede, the military personnel section flight commander who oversees many of the offices that will be moving. "The close proximity of other customer service based facilities such as the Field House, the Patriot Club, the commissary, and the BX will allow us to be more centrally located to better serve our customers."

The decision to renovate the building was made as part of the wing consolidation and demolition plan that will reduce future energy costs by eliminating unused facility space and making the best use of existing structures.

Aside from a few challenges that go with renovating a 19th century building, Kotlik said he was proud to be a part of it. His goal was to match the renovation designs to the original style of the building built at the turn of the century.

"The architectural firm included traditional woodworking designs that were common during that period," Kotlik said. "There were also some interior cast iron columns, which had been covered up - they were made visible and more interesting by highlighting them with a multicolor paint."

Renovations also included a new slate roof, fire suppression system and elevator. The bathrooms were completely updated and structural work was done to eliminate multiple levels on the second floor. Kotlik was most proud of the efforts made to replace the windows. The windows had to meet anti-terrorism force protection standards and Kotlik worked with the contractor to find replacements that met those specifications while matching the style of the building's era.

"The historical architecture of that building shines because of those windows," Kotlik said.

The building has served many purposes throughout the years according to an account written by the base historian in 1976. It was originally part of a larger Building 40 that was 633 feet long and stretched nearly three-fourths of the length of the parade grounds. The building was used as a garrison headquarters and barracks that could accommodate up to 496 troops. During World War II, it was used as an induction center for troops preparing to deploy, and toward the end of that war, Italian prisoners were kept there. A 1946 fire destroyed the middle section of the original building, splitting it into two, and the south section was renamed Building 49.

The building, which is 120 years old, revealed many interesting artifacts as workers completed renovations. Found were very old bottles of medicinal heroin, a 1901 dime, and a deck of cards attached by a string to a bottle of whiskey that was hidden in the rafters. There's no telling who may have left the items, but one thing is clear - whoever occupies the newly renovated building will surely appreciate the rich history and view from the shiny, new windows.

"Everybody likes the view of the parade grounds," Kotlik said.