In an important symbol of our enduring friendship with the Commonwealth of Papua New Guinea, U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Teddy Taylor broke ground on the new U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby today. Situated on a seven-acre site in Harbour City, the multi-building campus will include a chancery, compound access control, and two support annexes. When completed, the new complex will provide embassy employees with a state-of-the-art workspace.
Acting Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ambassador Lucy Bogari, Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Cecil Haney, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director for the Philippines and the Pacific Islands Gloria D. Steele, Special Advisor for Asian Affairs at the Office of the Vice President Jeff Prescott, as well as Deputy Chief of Mission, Bryan Hunt, and Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) Project Director Matthew Otto attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
The new facility will incorporate many sustainable features such as solar photovoltaic systems, an energy recovery unit, LED perimeter site lighting, and indoor pendant lighting, which automatically adjusts to incoming natural light to reduce energy demands. The site’s plan for open green space incorporates rain water harvesting swales and will use indigenous and adapted plant species for reduced irrigation demand and storm water runoff. The facility’s design targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Certification by the Green Building Certification Institute.
The $64 million project will be constructed by Caddell Construction Co. Inc. of Montgomery, Alabama. Karn Charuhas Chapman & Twohey of Washington, D.C. is the architect of record. The new Embassy is scheduled to be completed in May 2014.
Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations has completed 92 new diplomatic facilities and has moved more than 27,000 people into safe, secure, and functional facilities. OBO has 40 projects in design or construction, including the new embassy in Port Moresby.
OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure and functional facilities that represent the U.S. Government to the host nation and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives.
For further information, please contact Christine T. Foushee at FousheeCT@State.gov or (703) 875-4131, or visit www.state.gov/obo.
