INDIANAPOLIS -
The Indiana Army National Guard says federal stimulus dollars will help move more of its workers to one location while saving taxpayers money along the way.
13 Investigates shows you why the old airport tower is taking on new prominence.
As the Indiana's Army National Guard units mark an end to the ground conflict in Iraq, those charged with preserving troop records are climbing into a time warp of sorts.
The Guard is moving its administration into the old Indianapolis Airport Tower at Stout Field, built between 1941 and 1943.
For the last seven years, Tower 5 - as it's known - was nothing more than a repository for old stuff.
"It was just a waste of almost 36,000 square feet while we're busting at the seems here at Buildings one, two and three. Plus we had 400 people in leased space off site," said Lt. Colonel Steve Hines, the guard's construction and buildings officer.
In 2009, while city and state governments were tapping into stimulus funds for new roads and enhanced business districts, Hines posed a question: "Why not the guard?"
"I mean, I jumped all over it. I thought what a great way to preserve our lineage and our history as a guard," Hines told 13 Investigates.
Despite Gov. Daniels' objections to stimulus spending for schools and other entities, Indiana's National Guard accepted $4.8 million in federal funds to restore the tower to new heights. The work included building large classrooms, workout facilities and storage.
Cost overruns forced another $400,000 from the Guard's own pockets.
"I don't know of any that went to the lengths we did here," Hines said, speaking of other military units across the country. "I'm pretty proud of it," he said.
He's proud of the replicated fifth floor control tower where double paned, energy efficient windows offer a sparkling view and protection from the top down.
"They're reinforced, the masonry and concrete areas around them, they're reinforced so they can withstand certain levels of blast," explained Hines.
Hines estimates the $4.8 million saved taxpayers about $12 million, the added cost if the Guard had built the facility new.
The Tower operates on a geothermal system, drawing heat from 100 wells deep into the ground. The building also remains eligible for National Historic Preservation.
