DVIDS – News – Renovation of World War II-era barracks, originally scheduled for completion in 2023, continues into April 2024

In a historic move, contractors with JMJ Construction of New Lisbon, Wis., and Heritage Movers of Blue River, Wis., successfully relocated four World War II-era barracks buildings in 2023 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. This marked the first time such an effort had been completed in the history of the military installation.

The relocation process began in February 2023, with the first two buildings being moved to new block areas on Feb. 24 and March 2. The remaining two buildings were moved to different blocks on April 4 and April 6, respectively. The buildings were then set on blocks and fenced off until further work could be completed in their new locations.

Construction Inspector Tim Peterson of the Fort McCoy Directorate of Public Works praised the contractors for their dedication, as they worked through the winter to complete interior work and prepare the buildings for reuse. The entire project, including the relocation and necessary renovations, had an estimated cost of $1.7 million.

As of February, all four buildings had electricity and water connected in their new locations. The contractors were also working on completing checklist items, such as reinstalling exterior stairs and landscaping, to ensure the buildings were fully functional.

Fort McCoy, known as the “Total Force Training Center,” has been a vital training ground for military personnel since 1984. The successful relocation of these historic barracks buildings is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the contractors involved in the project.