Changes at the Groton sub base

From the New London Day (registration required to read after today):

The commander of the Naval Submarine Base in Groton said Wednesday that a $12 million demolition program there involving up to 40 buildings will lower maintenance and utility costs and add more green space and much-needed parking at the military installation.

Capt. Mark S. Ginda, who took over command of the 687-acre base in August, said the demolition program involves the removal of almost a half-million square feet of antiquated structures and will take about 18 months to complete.

-----

Ginda, a 25-year Navy veteran, made his remarks during a meeting at The Day with its editorial and newsroom staff. He said there are a number of large-scale construction projects under way at the base. These include much-needed pier upgrades, plans for a new fitness complex and expansion of both the commissary and exchange at their present locations on the base.

Several new piers are planned for the lower base, which is where the attack submarines are homeported. Ginda said one pier has already been modernized, offering far more space and improved utilities for submarines. The new piers will be 67 feet wide, compared to the older piers that are 33 feet wide. The new piers, which each cost at least $30 million, offer a host of specialized hookups for the nuclear submarines, including sophisticated wiring and cabling to accommodate a sub's complex electronics gear.

-----

He said the proposed expansion of the Navy commissary and exchange, with a projected price tag in the $20 million range, would likely take place in fiscal year 2010.