Elmendorf opens new lodging

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Senior Elmendorf officials, the North Star Inn manager and a CH2M Hill representative cut the ribbon for grand opening of Denali Hall April 3, 2009. The renovated Denali Hall provides 119 additional suites to North Star Inn's available billeting rooms. The renovations took 18 months to complete and cost $22 million. Denali Hall was originally built in 1950s as 500-man dormitory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Steffen)

Elmendorf opens new lodging

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Mike Higby, North Star Inn lodging manger (center in black suit), Shows off Air Force lodging's first Murphy bed during grand opening of Denali Hall April 3, 2009. North Star Inn added another 119 suites, bringing the total number of lodging rooms available to 591 with the renovotions of Denali Hall complete. The renovations took 18 months and cost $22 million. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Steffen)

Denali Hall reopens after renovations

Published April 6, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
3rd Wing Public Affairs

ELEMDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- With a sense of excitement from the cheering people standing nearby, Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander, declared Denali Hall officially opened for business as he and several others cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Built back in 1952, Denali Hall was originally used as dormitories for Airmen.
Approximately 50 years later, Denali Hall would be shut down and not used for some time.

That was until about 18 months ago when additional space was needed to increase the availability for the Red Flag Alaska/Northern Edge exercise players. Elmendorf

Leadership decided it was time to make use of this abandoned shelter and turn it into a facility that service members could enjoy and relax in.

According to Mr. Mike Higby, the North Star lodging manager since October 2000, the renovations have been progressing steadily and without issue cumulating with the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Today, an additional 119 suites brings the total of lodging rooms available on Elmendorf to 591.

With hard labor and $22 million later, the 119 suites are, "state-of-the-art facilities," said Bergeson.

Some of the features Denali Hall includes are flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet service, microwaves and fridges. The feature that the Denali Hall representatives are most proud of is the Murphy bed. When the Murphy bed is up, it looks like a relaxed sitting area, but with an easy pull of the gold bars the green sofa casually becomes a fold down bed.

Aside from the physical features, "the color schemes make it a more pleasing (atmosphere)," said Higby, who is also a retired senior master sergeant that served 23 years.

Denali Hall is also the first lodging building to include elevators. With the first occupancy taking place April 9, Higby said, "My folks are just excited to get operating."

As far as more renovations are concerned, $350,000 is scheduled to be put toward getting new carpet drapes, blinds and furniture for 26 temporary lodging facilities units behind Burger King. This project is scheduled to begin September.

However, with future plans ahead Higby said, "We're excited to start using (Denali Hall). Hopefully, the world will come over and look at it, and be as impressed as we are."