Exchange construction moves ahead

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  One year ago yesterday, Malmstrom Air Force Base broke ground for the construction of a new Exchange building. The project, scheduled to be complete in June, is well on its way to becoming a tremendous asset to the base.

Since the $10 million project started last December, Malmstrom members have been able to see the progress of construction from the outside. Presently, the entire building is up and workers are starting to add brick to the outside and framing on the inside. The next step in the construction process will be to add dry wall to the inside.

"In total, the design will be more contour to a normal department store or Exchange," said Mark Downs, Malmstrom Exchange general manager. "It's to be more standardized with other bases, and if you look at the current (Exchange) it's not in great shape. The current one was built in 1952 and really conforms to no standard layout, so it's hard to merchandize it."

The new building will be similar in size, but will include several changes.

"The size is not much larger but it'll be more conducive to a standard floor layout for merchandizing," Downs said. "We'll actually have an outdoor living area, which we don't currently have. Right now, our bikes sit out there in the snow and the lawn mowers sit outside - it won't be like that."

Along with the outdoor living area, the Exchange will have the only Popeye's in Montana, a Subway, gas pumps and a 24-hour Shoppette. There will also be several "green" initiatives built into the building, including a natural finish on the floors and energy efficient lighting. The goal is to make the store as convenient as possible for the base and the people that live here.

Although there has been talk of plans for the old Exchange once the new one is up, right now it is scheduled for demolition.

"It's time for a new Exchange; it's time for a new look," Downs said. "It's what our customers want and what they're looking for basically. They get it everywhere else so Malmstrom shouldn't be any different."