Army engineers transfer ownership of remote armory to support Alaska community | Article
The US Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District transferred a National Guard armory to the community of Scammon Bay on December 21, 2022. This real estate transaction marks the first disposal of military property within the state under the Bob Stump Act. Eight more systems are to be sold in the coming years. (Photo courtesy US Army)
SEE ORIGINAL
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District transferred ownership of an Army National Guard armory to the community of Scammon Bay on December 21, 2022. This real estate transaction marks the first Bob Stump Act disposal of military property within the state. Eight more systems are to be sold in the coming years.
“This program allows us to work with the National Guard and native villages to repurpose buildings and support the infrastructure needs of rural communities,” said Col. Damon Delarosa, district commander.
The National Guard owns armories in remote villages across the state that were built during the Cold War due to Alaska’s proximity to Russia.
“Many of the facilities are no longer in use, allowing them to be used as part of the divestment program for additional housing and community services in the villages where they reside,” said Gary Hanson, head of real estate.
In rural Alaska, available buildings are scarce and new construction is expensive. By divesting the property from the Army, Scammon Bay will be able to utilize an existing facility rather than having to bear the cost of a new development.
“This program really is a phoenix,” said Alaska Army National Guard real estate officer Kevin Vakalis. “These entrenched military institutions, once lost in the rubble of the Cold War, are now being revived to continue their public service to support their communities.”
The Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act gives USACE authority to directly dispose of surplus National Guard property in Alaskan wildlife refuges. The district uses this power to transfer excess real estate to local communities across the state.
Scammon Bay hosts a population of more than 500 people. It is located in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge near the Bering Sea in the southwestern region of Alaska.
To learn more about the program visit: https://www.poa.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/3001547/national-guard-armories-find-new-purpose-on-last -front /
# # #
