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 The Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District turned over a newly-renovated office building Oct. 16 to Army, Navy and Marine Corps recruiters in a shopping center in Scottsdale, Ariz. at the corner of Scottsdale and Wilshire. The job cost more then $200,000 and took 60 days to complete. (Photo by Daniel J. Calderón)
“This was one of the shortest build-outs we’ve done,” said Debbie Mitchell, asset management specialist for the district’s Phoenix Area Office. “It only took 60 days because the permits went so smoothly with the City of Scottsdale. It took one week when it normally takes three months.”
The office will house more than a dozen recruiters for the three branches of service. Fairbank’s Contracting & Development, LLC performed the work for the build out. Work involved demolition inside the office space. Before the recruiters leased the space, it housed a pet store. Fairbank’s also installed new plumbing and new walls and wiring in accordance with each service’s specifications.
“I think the place looks great,” said John Kurtz, facilities manager and telecommunications officer for the Phoenix Army Recruiting Battalion. “We love what they (Fairbank’s) do. I wish we could get more facilities like this.” As they signed the paperwork accepting the facility from the Corps, the Army recruiters were also coordinating with the movers who were bringing in their furniture to get them back into the business of recruiting.
The Navy recruiters who will have their own office space said they were happy with the work done and are pleased with their new location. In the past, the Scottsdale office was in a more out-of-the-way area and recruiters were more apt to either pick up their applicants or spend a lot of time on the phone to give directions as applicants were trying to make their way in to the office.  Sgt. Benjamin Walker, Army Reserve recruiter and acting station manager for the Scottsdale Army Recruiting Station, signs a form from Debbie Mitchell, Asset Management specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, accepting the work done by the Corps on the new recruiting station in Scottsdale, Ariz. Oct. 16. The Corps created separate new office space for the Scottsdale Army, Navy and Marine Corps recruiters in what was once a 3,200 square foot single-tenant area. (Photo by Daniel J. Calderón)
The project to renovate the 3,200 square foot space cost more than $200,000. The property manager for the shopping center said he is very pleased with the job done by the Corps and by Fairbank’s. The Vietnam-era veteran said he is proud to have the recruiters in his area.
“It’s great to have them here,” said Doug Bitner, with Morgan Commercial Property Management. “They’ve been in Scottsdale for years, but this location will give them excellent visibility for the people.” With the job complete, Fairbanks said they are looking forward to the next job.
“I’ve been doing work for the Corps for about 11 years,” said Juan Bejarano, the supervisor for the job in Scottsdale. “I love the work.” “We’ve had a good rapport with the contractor and we’ve always been pleased with their excellent work,” said Mitchell. The recruiters have a five-year lease in the building, said Patti DeSylvester, the owner of P.J. Properties, the leasing agent for the office. The district is currently working on similar projects throughout Southern California, Nevada and Arizona. |
