24-031 | Transforming Municipal Maintenance: Upgrades and Innovations in Fort Oglethorpe GA

Fort Oglethorpe, GA | Nov 2024 - Jul 2025

Municipal maintenance facilities are the “behind-the-scenes” engine of a city—supporting fleet readiness, public works response, and day-to-day operations that residents depend on. But when buildings age, layouts become inefficient, and storm damage accumulates, the impact shows up quickly: slower turnaround on repairs, higher operating costs, and safety concerns for staff.

JBrennon Construction, Inc. partnered with the City of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and CTI Engineers to deliver a comprehensive municipal maintenance facility improvement program that upgraded the complex from the ground up. The scope included construction of a new 40' x 80' maintenance garage, a three-office addition within the Parker Building, major sitework and storm drainage improvements, and repairs across five existing maintenance buildings. The result was a more functional, code-compliant campus designed to support fleet operations and public services for years to come.

Office Expansion That Improved Workflow and Code Compliance

The Parker Building scope focused on adding meaningful operational capacity—not just square footage. The project added three new second-floor offices to support management and coordination functions tied directly to municipal operations.

Work included:

• Interior framing and partitions to define new office spaces

• Doors, windows, trim, and interior finishes (drywall, paint, ceilings, flooring)

• Electrical rough-in for lighting, receptacles, and data, plus panelboard upgrades

• HVAC extensions with new split-system gas furnace/AC units for proper conditioning

• Plumbing tie-ins as needed

• ADA accessibility and 2018 IBC compliance considerations incorporated into the build-out

As part of the improvement package, the team also installed new insulation and replaced approximately 432 SF of exterior metal paneling using full-length panels, improving building performance and exterior continuity where window openings were patched.

A New 40' x 80' Maintenance Garage Built for Heavy Use

Municipal fleets need covered, well-lit, service-ready space that can handle real wear. The new 40-foot by 80-foot garage was designed and constructed to support heavy equipment and daily vehicle movement.

Key scope elements included:

• Site prep, excavation, grading, and a reinforced cast-in-place slab (4,000 PSI concrete)

• Structural steel framing (columns, beams, roof framing) installed to industry standards

• Pre-finished metal roofing and wall systems with insulation for durability and thermal performance

• Overhead/coiling doors and personnel doors with hardware and safety considerations

• Electrical distribution, lighting, receptacles, and protective systems (including surge protection measures)

• Mechanical systems such as natural gas unit heaters and exhaust fans for ventilation
  

Drainage coordination between the new and existing structures was also enhanced through change work that added gutters and downspouts to properly “marry” roof drainage pathways and protect the site from water intrusion.

Lighting revisions upgraded the space further, including installation of high-bay LED UFO fixtures with cord-and-receptacle systems—an efficiency improvement that also boosted visibility and safety inside the garage.

This new garage significantly expands the facility’s capacity to house and service municipal vehicles and equipment, supporting faster and more efficient maintenance work.

Sitework and Storm Drainage Improvements That Protected the Investment

A maintenance complex only performs as well as the ground and infrastructure it sits on. This project included significant sitework upgrades to improve access, drainage performance, and long-term durability.

Scope included:

• Demolition/removal of damaged concrete/asphalt

• Earthwork, excavation, and grading

• Base preparation with crushed stone/granular materials

• Asphalt paving with specified mix layers for durable vehicle surfaces

• Storm drainage improvements including pipe and catch basin work

• Utility extensions/tie-ins to support new construction and renovations

• Curbs, parking lot striping, signage, and landscape restoration

• Erosion and sediment controls, including silt fencing and concrete washout management

  
  

During construction, unsuitable soils required overexcavation and spoils management, including removal of approximately 140 cubic yards of unsuitable footing spoils. The team stabilized excavations using temporary flowable fill and executed additional labor, equipment, and superintendent coverage to keep work moving safely and correctly through variable site conditions (Dec 2024–Feb 2025).

Repairs Across Five Maintenance Buildings: Weather Damage and Aging Systems

To restore reliability across the campus, the project also included repairs to five maintenance buildings, addressing wind damage, aging components, and water management issues.

Repairs included:

• Metal roofing, siding, trim, ridge caps, and flashing repairs/replacement

• Gutter, downspout, and box-gutter work to improve drainage and reduce intrusion

• Door and window replacements with associated hardware

• Interior finish restoration (ceiling tile, drywall patching, flooring as required)

• Targeted electrical repairs (panels, devices, lighting)

• HVAC repair/replace work where needed

When specified mechanical equipment became unavailable, the project incorporated a change order to procure Trane R454 refrigerant-compatible units, accounting for lead times and procurement realities while maintaining performance and compliance.

Delivering a Code-Compliant Municipal Complex—Even Through Changing Conditions

Municipal projects rarely follow a perfectly straight line. This improvement program required proactive management of field directives, change orders, and evolving site conditions, including soil remediation needs, design updates, and material availability constraints.

Through coordination with the City, subcontractors, and on-site personnel, JBrennon Construction increased superintendent coverage during critical activities (overexcavation operations, extended shifts, concrete forming, and sequencing across multiple work fronts). The end result was a fully functional, code-compliant municipal maintenance facility complex—with new construction, upgraded offices, improved site infrastructure, and restored buildings delivered as one integrated program.

Why Projects Like This Matter

When a maintenance facility works better, the community feels it—often without realizing why. Faster vehicle turnaround, safer work environments, reduced downtime, and improved resiliency translate directly into better service delivery for residents. Modernizing public works infrastructure isn’t just construction—it’s operational readiness.