Building Blocks

Construction on a new 224,000-square foot addition to the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, is expected to begin in the spring of 2014, announced officials Dec. 2. The US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, recently awarded a $35.4 million contract to Washington, D.C.-based Turner Construction Co. for the new building, which will be similar in size and shape to the museum’s three existing hangars, according to a Dec. 2 release. “We’re extremely excited about the fourth building because this new facility will help us to further tell the Air Force story with much needed exhibit space and also provide dedicated educational areas for programs based in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said museum director Jack Hudson. Construction is expected to be complete in the summer of 2015 and a public opening is slated for later that year, states the release. The new building will house the Presidential aircraft gallery, a research and development gallery, and a space gallery. The Air Force Museum Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists in the development and expansion of museum facilities, is privately financing the expansion project. (See also Big Plans for the Air Force Museum from the February 2012 edition of Air Force Magazine)