Construction begins next week on Government and Technology Enterprise (G.A.T.E.), a 200-acre development at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Md., officials from the Army and Opus East LLC said.
“We are thrilled to have signed the G.A.T.E. deal and look forward to holding a ground-breaking ceremony on Dec. 17,” James Lee, president and CEO of Opus East, LLC, said Dec. 11. “The new buildings represent the beginning of a state-of-the-art business and technology campus within Aberdeen Proving Ground’s secure perimeter, right in the heart of the Northeast.”
“The secure, world-class G.A.T.E. facilities will be a valuable resource for Aberdeen and its industry partners who are working to ensure our nation’s Soldiers have the world’s best combat capabilities,” Bob Penn, Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) Program Director for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said.
The G.A.T.E. project is part of the Army’s EUL program. Under the terms of the EUL, Opus will lease each land bay for 50 years. The Army develops under utilized property and the proceeds go back into maintenance and improvement of Aberdeen Proving Ground facilities.
On Nov. 28 officials from the Army and Opus East signed documents paving the way for construction to begin on three buildings on the first land bay to be developed. Plans include a research and development facility and two speculative office buildings.
The first building is a 60,000-square-foot single-story research and development facility expected to be complete and ready for occupancy by the summer of 2008. The R&D building is designed to provide flexibility for tenants with multiple glass entries along the facade. The building’s 18-foot ceiling will provide additional flexibility for tenants requiring high-bay storage space.
The second building to be constructed, an 80,000-square-foot office building, has a contemporary design with architectural precast panels, metal accent elements and large windows. The building’s two entry points are highlighted with full height curtain walls and metal canopies. Following the initial ground-breaking, a similar office building is expected to begin construction in 2008.
An advantage of the G.A.T.E. location is that it is inside Aberdeen Proving Ground’s secure perimeter. Contractors now required to comply with anti-terrorism force protection rules will find this location to be particularly useful. In addition, users that complement Aberdeen Proving Ground activity and mission will find the location helpful.