The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, and Leaders from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island, held a groundbreaking ceremony kicking off over $2 Billion in renovations of campus facilities over the next 10+ years.
The event recognized the first contract award of $12.9 Million dredging nearly 51,000 cubic yards of sediment from Hague Basin, allowing for safe navigation of Academy vessels and carrying out training exercises on the water.
New York District Commander Col. Alexander Young noted: “Restoring full operational depth to the Hague Basin ensures the Academy can train and operate without constraint. This contract award would not be possible without our project delivery team members who worked tirelessly under expedited schedules to handle complex environmental and permitting issues, meet every milestone, and delivering at the highest level. We look forward to working closely with them [the Academy] and partners to successfully advance the broader USMMA revitalization effort.”
As one of five federal service academies in the nation, USMMA educates leaders that will serve as officers in the U.S. Merchant Marine and Armed Forces. Founded in 1943, the campus was constructed to support deployment of midshipmen and merchant mariners during World War II. Now, 80+ years later, aging infrastructure is hampering the Academy’s mission.
Last year, the White House issued Executive Order 14269, “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” directing the Secretary of Transportation take immediate action to modernize the Academy. Shortly thereafter, the New York District signed an inter-agency agreement to renovate much of the campus.
As a result of this Campus Modernization Program the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will be able to continue its mission of educating future leaders of the maritime industry and the U.S. Armed Forces.
PLANNED PROJECTS
The entirety of the program is an over $2 Billion investment over a period of 10+ years. Currently $181 Million is in place to execute the first group of projects. Next year the IPO expects to receive additional funds to continue current projects and start additional ones.
Some current and planned initiatives include:
● Dredging 51,000 cubic yards of sediment from Hague Basin for navigational safety
● Repairing a 2,800-foot seawall protecting the campus from storms and tidal surges
● Demolition of 307 Steamboat Road
● New barracks and renovations of existing barracks
● Waterfront infrastructure
● Modernized and renovated Academic facilities including a New Academic Building
● New athletic fieldhouse and mariner training center
● Establishing a federal Maritime Center of Excellence
INTEGRATED PROGRAM OFFICE
Recently, the New York District established the Integrated Program Office (IPO) led by Chief Matthew Emigholz to manage projects outlined in the Campus Modernization Plan. Matthew is responsible for Planning, Engineering, Contracting and Construction of all projects within the Campus Modernization Plan.
Ryan Ferguson is the Program Manager for the IPO. Ryan oversees four Project Managers ensuring that our projects are delivered on time, within budget and of the highest quality.
Ferguson stated: “USACE is working hard to meet the Academy’s goals, support its mission, and address emerging trends and priorities of the maritime industry through the Campus Modernization Program.”
New York Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Nicholas LoRusso also serves as the Deputy Chief for the IPO. He spearheaded establishing the office and the initial projects now underway. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing strong relationships between the Army Corps and Academy personnel ⎼ including campus site tours for senior federal administrators from Washington, D.C., over the past 6-8 months.
ACADEMY-BASED PERSONNEL
The office, located at the Academy, has hired 17 staff across a variety of disciplines; a full staff of 25 is expected to be on board this fall. The IPO currently resides in Furuseth Hall but plans to relocate into permanent office space in January 2027 after the demolition of 307 Steamboat Road. The full IPO will be made up of the IPO Chief, a Program Manager, 4 Project Managers, 2 Technical Managers, a Program Analyst, a Project Controls Officer, an Area Engineer, 2 Resident Engineer teams, a Construction Admin Branch Team and a Contracting Officer.
COLLABORATION
The IPO is working collaboratively with the Merchant Marine Academy. The key feature of utilizing an IPO is to be directly embedded with the customer. The principle point of contact at the Academy is the Academy’s Director of Facilities and Infrastructure Rear Admiral John Shea. He is involved in daily communications, formal project meetings, and strategic coordination of the Campus Modernization Plan. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Superintendent Rear Admiral Anthony Ceraolo is a big proponent, serving as a key champion of the program with faculty, staff and the student body.