In an important symbol of America’s commitment to an enduring friendship with Montenegro, as well as our bilateral relationship with the Government of Montenegro, U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro, Sue K. Brown, officially dedicated the new Consular Annex facility in Podgorica today. The Mayor of Podgorica, Miomir Mugosa; State Secretary for Political Affairs, Mr. Nebojsa Kaludjurevic; and State Secretary for European Integration, Ms. Slavica Milacic; as well as Deputy Chief of Mission, Douglas Jones; and Managing Director for the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) Planning and Real Estate directorate, Jay Hicks, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The design of the Consular Annex incorporates several sustainable features, most notably low water consuming fixtures and reuse of the existing structure. The facility is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council, and will be submitted for certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building rating system.
Enviro-Management and Research, Inc. of Springfield, Virginia constructed the project designed by Yost Grube Hall Architecture of Portland, Oregon. The $13 million project generated jobs in both the United States and Montenegro. At times, more than 80 workers were involved in the construction of the facility. The new annex, which was added to the current 10-acre embassy site, was completed in the fall of 2011.
Since the 1999 enactment of the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act, the Department has moved more than 25,000 people into safer facilities. OBO has completed 84 diplomatic facilities and has an additional 33 projects in design or construction.
OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy and the promotion of U.S. interests worldwide. These facilities represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution. For further information, please visit the OBO website at http://www.state.gov/obo, or contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov or (703) 875-4131.
