Making Progress: 78th clinic renovations move to next phase

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  

Things are slowly taking shape as renovations continue inside and outside Bldg. 700, home to the Robins Medical Clinic.  

The $29.5 million restoration and modernization project has reached the halfway point, having just wrapped up the second of four phases this past July. 

The second phase involved the renovation of several areas. This part of the building is now home to the Tricare Operations and Patient Administration Flight, Facility Management, Radiology, which is now located by TOPA, Medical Readiness, Medical Systems, Medical Equipment Repair and the 78th Medical Group Command Section. Lab and radiology sections were completed as part of phase one. 

Phase three is currently taking place which will involve the renovation of existing areas that once housed the Mental Health Clinic as well as Education and Training and Readiness (currently in the new section). This will have an estimated completion date of February 2017. 

On the outside of Bldg. 700, areas are being torn down and will soon have a new brick exterior, along with new sidewalks and a front entrance once completed. 

As part of construction efforts over the past year, temporary phasing facilities were placed just outside the clinic where personnel were relocated. Currently, Mental Health and Public Health are inside.

“Like most major military construction projects, we’ve experienced some time delays and setbacks due to unforeseen circumstances, primarily abatement issues taking longer than expected,” said Lt. Col. Richard Palmer, 78th Medical Support Squadron commander. “With that said, we’ve completed the second phase of the four-phase project and have received rave reviews from distinguished visitors, patients and our own staff on the modernization, and the calm and comforting environment our facilities team has brought us thus far.” 

One of the hidden luxuries of the project is the building’s energy efficiency. Since completing the second phase, the 78th MDG has been identified by the Air Force Medical Support Agency as being one of the leading medical facilities in the Air Force with regards to reduction in energy consumption over the last fiscal year, according to Palmer. 

That reduction is contributed to some of the changes made to the facility during phase one and two of the project, which involved such things as replacing/modernizing the chiller, cooling tower, air handlers, boilers and electrical systems. 

“We still have another year to go, but things are going pretty well so far,” added Palmer. 

Constructed in 1967, the facility once completed will have significant improvements to its utility, electrical, communication and building systems. Completion of the project is slated for mid-2017.

Making Progress: 78th clinic renovations move to next phase

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  

Things are slowly taking shape as renovations continue inside and outside Bldg. 700, home to the Robins Medical Clinic.  

The $29.5 million restoration and modernization project has reached the halfway point, having just wrapped up the second of four phases this past July. 

The second phase involved the renovation of several areas. This part of the building is now home to the Tricare Operations and Patient Administration Flight, Facility Management, Radiology, which is now located by TOPA, Medical Readiness, Medical Systems, Medical Equipment Repair and the 78th Medical Group Command Section. Lab and radiology sections were completed as part of phase one. 

Phase three is currently taking place which will involve the renovation of existing areas that once housed the Mental Health Clinic as well as Education and Training and Readiness (currently in the new section). This will have an estimated completion date of February 2017. 

On the outside of Bldg. 700, areas are being torn down and will soon have a new brick exterior, along with new sidewalks and a front entrance once completed. 

As part of construction efforts over the past year, temporary phasing facilities were placed just outside the clinic where personnel were relocated. Currently, Mental Health and Public Health are inside.

“Like most major military construction projects, we’ve experienced some time delays and setbacks due to unforeseen circumstances, primarily abatement issues taking longer than expected,” said Lt. Col. Richard Palmer, 78th Medical Support Squadron commander. “With that said, we’ve completed the second phase of the four-phase project and have received rave reviews from distinguished visitors, patients and our own staff on the modernization, and the calm and comforting environment our facilities team has brought us thus far.” 

One of the hidden luxuries of the project is the building’s energy efficiency. Since completing the second phase, the 78th MDG has been identified by the Air Force Medical Support Agency as being one of the leading medical facilities in the Air Force with regards to reduction in energy consumption over the last fiscal year, according to Palmer. 

That reduction is contributed to some of the changes made to the facility during phase one and two of the project, which involved such things as replacing/modernizing the chiller, cooling tower, air handlers, boilers and electrical systems. 

“We still have another year to go, but things are going pretty well so far,” added Palmer. 

Constructed in 1967, the facility once completed will have significant improvements to its utility, electrical, communication and building systems. Completion of the project is slated for mid-2017.