Easton Readiness Center Celebrates Ribbon Cutting
Easton, MD
The Harkins team attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Easton Readiness Center on Saturday, August 10th in Easton, MD. Located off U.S. Route 50, the new 37,006 gsf Readiness Center replaces the previous smaller facility in the same location. Over 100 people gathered Saturday morning to take part in several ribbon-cuttings. Guests of honor included a congressman, military brass, and county and town officials. Among the dignitaries were the soldiers who will call the new armory home.
This design-build facility consists of structural steel structures with concrete and masonry foundation. It will house the Detachment 1, 729th Quartermaster Company, the D Company 1-175th infantry, and a state Veterans Honor Guard team. Soldiers from these units have deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade, in addition to serving at home during civil support contingency operations.
Featured areas of the building include administrative office suites, an assembly hall, classrooms, multipurpose rooms, a training and simulation room, equipment supply areas, a full commercial kitchen and break room, a 4,237 sf detached vehicle maintenance building, and fitness and locker rooms. Exterior improvements include private vehicle parking, Anti-Terrorism Force Protection measures, and a military-operated-vehicle lot. The building is clad with a cultured stone veneer and the entrance features a full height curved glass entry. It was designed to have space for training soldiers, storing and maintaining equipment, and supporting the State of Maryland.
It is the first building in the state to feature a work from the Maryland Public Art Initiative. This initiative creates a high-quality public art collection at state agency and university sites. A large two-story mural, titled “Always Ready” greets visitors inside the building’s entrance. Completed by internationally known artist and illustrator Mark Stutzman, this piece traces the history of the Maryland National Guard from its inception in 1636. Depicted are the many roles of the guard, from protecting the United States’ interests overseas to saving people at home during national disasters.