NGA CAMPUS CHARGES ON
Construction of the new National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) campus in North Saint Louis is moving forward without delay, despite a number of challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Photo Credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Concrete foundations are in place, and steel frames are rising from the ground, bringing about the largest federal investment in Saint Louis history.
Slated for completion in 2024, construction on the new campus is a team effort being led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, McCarthy-HITT, and NGA project management leaders and engineers. Nearly 450 workers can be found at the 97-acre site each day, in addition to five cranes, two bulldozers, two excavators and many more trucks, lifts, and skid-steers.
According to a recent NGA release, “the steel erections for the campus’ structures are projected to be complete by November, at which time the construction focus will shift to the installation of building enclosures, or walls, for the main building, central utilities plant and parking garages.”
More than 3,000 NGA employees are expected to move to the new office in 2025, which will undoubtedly bring new electricity to the area.
As an anchor for a growing geospatial industry in Saint Louis, the new campus is also attracting CEOs from far and wide to the Downtown North area. Geospatial tech companies Maxar, T-Kartor USA, and Ball Aerospace have all leased space in area office buildings, including The Globe, T-Rex, and The Post.
Former NGA Director Robert Cardillo recently founded the National Center for Location Science (NCLS) and intends to establish an initial office at The Post (700 N Tucker), a building which will also house the new St. Louis offices of fin-tech company Square.
“Connective tissue that wasn’t there before is starting to fill in,” said Cardillo. “There’s a real momentum happening out here in North St. Louis, and it’s building on itself.”
Click here for more information on the Next NGA West campus.