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Project Titles:
- Repair Rightmier House (FFS #R5GA)
- Rehabilitate Office/Visitor Building (FFS #R5GB)
State: Virginia
Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) used American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for projects at the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Contracts were awarded to two local small businesses and provided work for over sixty individuals.
TTR, LLC, a Virginia Beach company known as Casa Builders, was awarded $617,796 to rehabilitate a former residence known as the Rightmier House, named after the locally famous architect who designed the building, the late Lewis Rightmier. The Sandbridge Road building was converted into a visitor center and headquarters for the refuge.
Renovations to the water-side facility included: weatherproofing and stabilizing its exterior by replacing the roof and cedar siding, windows, and doors; replacing the building’s heating and cooling systems; providing accessible ramps and restrooms required for public buildings; and other improvements.
Casa Builders utilized seventeen subcontractors during the building rehabilitation, sixteen of which were also small businesses. Work was completed in July 2010.
“This is a very timely project for us. The building industry is a really depressed industry right now, especially around here,” said Mitch Ackaway, managing member of Casa Builders, in July 2009 . “Several small subcontractors rely on companies like us for their work. Our work has been slowing, theirs has been down to nothing. This project kept and is keeping them in work.”
Congressman Glenn C. Nye (VA-2nd) visited the construction site with refuge staff in early August 2009. According to Nye: “Back Bay is a national treasure, and it’s a great example of how economic recovery funds can help create jobs and protect the environment here in Hampton Roads. I’m proud to have supported the Recovery Act that provided this funding for Back Bay, and I look forward to the new office space once it’s complete.”
Another local business to benefit from the ARRA funds is Earl Energy, LLC. The veteran-owned small business from nearby Portsmouth, Virginia, was awarded a $21,000 contract to install a solar energy system on a visitor contact station at the refuge. This work promotes energy efficiency and will save the Service money. It is just one example of Recovery Act funds being used to promote a green future for all of our wildlife refuges.
In addition to these projects, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was able to employ additional Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) interns using ARRA funds. This enabled the refuge to carry out multiple projects while also providing employment and valuable skills for student interns. Read more about ARRA-funded youth employment here.
Video: Recovery Act Funds Building Rehabilitation Project in Virginia
Play the video below for an interview with Mitch Ackaway, owner of Casa Builders, as he discusses how this Recovery Act project has positively affected his company.
Photos:
Press Releases:
Originally posted 07/10/2009
Updated 08/12/2009
Updated 08/28/2009
Updated 09/14/2009
Updated 10/27/2009
Updated 12/09/2009
Updated 01/12/2010
Updated 02/03/2010
Updated 06/09/2010
Updated 11/10/2010
Updated 11/16/2010
Updated 11/18/2010
Updated 03/24/2011
