Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska -- Yukla Hall, an Air Force dormitory, is next on the renovation-chopping block as part of an ongoing project to upgrade all the dormitories started in late 2016.
Starting Jan. 30, contractors will replace the carpets with tile and repaint the walls beginning with wing A on the third floor, followed by wing B, then C. After the third floor, they will renovate the second floor’s wings. The first floor will be last. Each wing will take approximately two weeks; the building is expected to be finished by May 17.
“I know [the project] is a huge burden for the people who live here,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Benjamin Fugler, Yukla Hall and Polaris Hall dorm manager assigned to the 673d Civil Engineer Squadron. “But bear with us, because we are trying to make living conditions better by improving the dorms.”
The carpets and laundry room floors are being replaced with tiles because they are much easier to clean, Fugler said. Carpets hold smells and stains. Surprisingly, walls do too; that’s why they are being repainted and worked on as well.
“Unfortunately, the people [who] install the flooring find it is very hard to put down new tiles when people are walking on the glue and tracking dirt,” Fugler said. “Also, this glue stuff is no joke, boots and shoes get stuck in it pretty good.”
Once the renovation begins, Airmen will not be able to access to their rooms. Instead, they will temporarily bunk at Building 55. Airmen living in the first wing were given their keys before Jan. 27 and when their wing is complete, they trade off the keys to the next group of Airmen.
The rooms in Building 55 have a stove, microwave, mini-fridge, furniture, mattress and a shared restroom. Fugler reminded Airmen to pack the essentials like toiletries and clothes to last two weeks.
To better coordinate with affected Airmen, Fugler created the closed Facebook group; ‘Yukla Hall,’ for the dorm so he can send an instant notification as to any updates such as the renovation progress, rather than only through official email.
“If you have any questions or concerns please contact me,” Fugler said. “Thank you all for your patience and understanding during this process.”