Two of the moldy barracks at Fort Meade in Anne Arundel finally will receive extensive renovations next year.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $21 million contract recently to HSU Development Inc., of Rockville, to renovate the barracks by spring 2010.
The barracks are closed, while five others are housing students at the nearby Defense Information School.
Once completed, the renovated barracks will accommodate the students while two more barracks are closed and fixed, officials said.
The buildings are 50 years old and have inadequate ventilation and plumbing, resulting in 30,000 square feet of mold in the five barracks where DINFOS students now reside.
Fort Meade officials closed off moldy sections of the barracks, and have relocated students with serious mold allergies to newer barracks.
Immediate mold abatement was done on two of the worst barracks earlier this year. Previous attempts to abate the mold by using dehumidifiers were stymied by the buildings’ poor electrical systems.
The renovation will overhaul the plumbing, ventilation and electrical systems of the barracks. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.
HSU Development won the contract as part of the corps’ effort to use more small businesses after failing to evenly award contracts during fiscal 2007.
