Out with the old: BX demolition begins

The demolition of the old base exchange on Ramstein started Oct. 5 near the Northside Chapel with the 86th Airlift Wing commander in the driver’s seat.

“About 95 percent of the ground and space we have for construction is already  used,” said Brig. Gen. C.K. Hyde, 86th Airlift Wing commander. “The only way  we can get more construction space is by tearing down old facilities that are past their service life. This allows us to turn it into green space for future construction.”

Even though the building has been vacant for some time, Hyde was the first to put a dent in the building, starting the demolition process.

“The area is prime real estate,” said 1st Lt. Harrizon Sanchez, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron construction management chief. “It won’t be long until something takes the space.”

The demolition of the building is scheduled to be complete in March 2013.

The old BX was built in the 1950s and was the first shopping center on Ramstein.