Old barracks undergoes 21st century renovations

Renovations on one of Keesler’s original structures at 602 Meadows Drive are scheduled to be finished in September. Upgrades include new heating and air conditioning, siding and asbestos abatement. The building has served many purposes over the years including most recently a heritage center where old photographs, artifacts and memorabilia were housed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Old barracks undergoes 21st century renovations

Published Aug. 3, 2011
By Steve Hoffmann
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- There's a little old building off Meadows Drive that's having a pamper me year.

Exterior renovation began in October and should be completed next month. According to Dave Horner, construction oversight lead with CSC, work by Birmingham Industrial Construction, the contractor, is progressing well.

Upgrades include new heating, ventilation, air conditioning, doors, glazing on the glass windows, lattice work on the underside of the house and new siding to replace old asbestos siding. At a cost of $100,000, 602 Meadows Avenue will be ready to strut her stuff once again.

The structure is one of the last of the old barracks built during World War II. According to Susan Dawson, base historian, the building has been used for a variety of purposes in the past. Most recently, though, it served as an unofficial heritage center with displays, photographs and memorabilia. The artifacts that were there were sent back to the National Museum after Hurricane Katrina and it still houses photographs and memorabilia. The hope is that one day it will become a heritage center again, but no formal plans have been drawn up.