New BX nears completion

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The long wait for the new and improved Army & Air Force Exchange Service Base Exchange facility is almost over as officials tentatively set its opening for October. 

The new exchange facility, which began construction in June 2007, will have three times the floor space than the current store. 

"The new shopping center will be the largest AAFES facility in the Pacific and the second largest BX / PX in the world," said Jerry Broccoli, AAFES Okinawa general manager. "We are extremely excited about the opportunity to enhance the shopping experience on Kadena." 

When the new BX is completed, it will take approximately 30 to 60 days to transfer merchandise and commodities before the grand opening. 

"We're at about 84 percent complete with the project," said Capt. Kathleen Farrell, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron deputy flight chief. "Everything has been going really well and I expect we'll stay on schedule until the project is completed." 

The remaining construction work includes finishing the food court and demolishing the current exchange facility. 

"We'll go in and close off part of the parking lot so we can demolish the old building," said Mark Pinnau, 718th CES programs flight chief. "Since we haven't awarded that portion yet, we're not sure how long that will take." Contractors need to bid for construction projects before Mr. Pinnau and his team selects one to award the contract to. 

"What really amazes me is how the new facility has gone up so quickly without any major problems or delays," said Mr. Pinnau. "We're going to start the inspections soon and check all the facility systems and make sure they meet all requirements. It might slow down our progress, but right now everything looks good." 

Team Kadena members can expect challenges in parking and traffic flow during the completion of the new BX, demolition of the old exchange and re-surfacing of the parking lot, Mr. Pinnau said. Once the project is complete, customers will see one main parking lot for both the BX and Commissary. 

"People should watch out for construction vehicles hauling debris out of the construction area," said Mr. Pinnau. 

The current base exchange, which is approximately 117,000 square feet, was built in 1955. Several additions were made over the years, including the addition of the Market Place mall. The new exchange facility, which cost approximately $81 million, will be approximately 324,000 square feet. 

The new two-story exchange will be a mall-style facility incorporating the Main Street food court with nine restaurants, military clothing sales, a bookstore and concessions which are currently separate facilities. 

Other features for the new exchange facility include barber and beauty shops, dry cleaners, ATM machines and a new 884 vehicle parking lot.