The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday announced that it awarded a $230 million design-build contract for new operational support facilities at Coast Guard Base Charleston, S.C.
It’s the latest phase of a multi-year infrastructure expansion plan at the base, established in October 2015 and comprised of two campuses that, according to the service, is home to 175 personnel—including 111 enlisted guardsmen, 35 reservists, 22 civilians and seven officers. The base manages 21.5 acres of property with 214,841 square feet of facilities, along with two major piers and two floating piers.
The Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center on June 16 awarded the project to Brasfield and Gorrie LLC, from Birmingham, Ala. The project is expected to be completed in 2030 and includes the following:
- Construction of a 90,000-square-foot engineering complex, including spaces to accommodate facilities engineering and naval engineering units, electronics support, industrial production, boat storage, shipping and receiving, and hazardous materials storage.
- Construction of a 120,000-square-foot multifunctional building to support a 75-room unaccompanied personnel housing structure, a galley large enough to serve 650 patrons, a fitness center, and an exchange.
- Construction of a parking structure to support personnel working on vessels home ported at Base Charleston.
The latest announcement follows the awarding of two additional contracts earlier this year, which allowed for recapitalization of Base Charleston’s Pier Mike, construction of a new medical and dental facility, as well as other improvements.
The three contracts in total amount to more than $440 million in Base Charleston upgrades that officials said transform Charleston into a premier East Coast operational base, evolving into a modern, resilient installation that supports the service’s next generation of cutters, strengthens readiness, and improves quality of life for the workforce.
“The strategic expansion of Base Charleston is vital to our maritime operations and national security,” said Vice Adm. Jo-Ann F. Burdian, commander, Atlantic Area, in a statement. “This investment not only supports home porting of our newest cutters, it ensures our dedicated service members have the modern infrastructure, health care and support facilities they deserve to maintain peak mission readiness.”
The Coast Guard awarded all three contracts under a Department of Homeland Security strategic sourcing vehicle called the National Multiple Award Construction Contract III, supported more broadly by a $25 billion investment—the largest capital investment in the Service’s history—made through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
That funding has led to the Coast Guard ordering over $10 billion in new assets and capabilities, plus an additional $3 billion towards critical depot maintenance and shore facilities.