The U.S. Naval Academy held a ground breaking ceremony, May 4, for the new parking garage that will mark the beginning of a multiphase plan to construct the cyber building on campus.

Naval Academy Superintendent, Vice Adm. Walter "Ted" Carter, attended the ceremony and delivered keynote remarks.

"Today is a symbolic start to the future of building more than just a new curriculum, more than just a set of courses, but a cyber program here at the United States Naval Academy," said Carter. "The importance of today is not just a parking garage that we are going to break ground for. It really is the first phase in a multiphase approach to build a cyber building."

A two-story parking garage will be built on, and over, the existing Naval Academy Club and Alumni Hall parking lots. The lower level will have 138 parking spaces, four handicap spaces and four motorcycle spaces. The upper level will have 230 parking spaces and six handicap spaces. The garage will have a total of 378 parking spaces, a gain of 65 parking spaces. Construction will begin following graduation and commissioning this summer, and is anticipated to be complete in fall 2016.

"Every big trip starts with one step and this ceremony is the first step for the construction of a brand new facility on the Academy," said Vice Adm. Joseph Mulloy, deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Integration of Capabilities and Resources. "I am pleased that we are able to execute this plan, which has been a marriage of vision and funding, and I look forward to the construction and outfitting of the new building."

The Naval Academy has developed a cyber security studies program in response to the Navy's increased emphasis on operating effectively in an emerging cyber security environment. The program includes a Cyber Operations major and required cyber courses for all midshipmen. The academy determined that the construction of a building is necessary to enhance and expand the cyber program.

"There is a growing threat in the cyber world and we know our compelling need to educate and equip our own forces to engage and prevail in the cyber battlespace, and this will make that possible," said Capt. Tony Edmonds, commanding officer, Naval Facilities Command Washington. "Guys like me often times think of projects in terms of bricks and mortar, but this is really about national security."

To be built on the site of the parking lot between Nimitz Library and Rickover Hall, the Cyber Building construction will begin shortly after the completion of the Alumni Hall parking garage. Completion is anticipated in summer 2019. Costello Construction of Columbia, Maryland, was awarded the contract for the building of the garage.

"As a small business, we are grateful to the Navy for awarding us this contract and we appreciate the Navy's confidence in small business across the country," said David Costello, president of Costello Construction of Maryland. "We are committed to working together with the Navy to complete this important project on time and under budget. As a proud and grateful American, I feel that's the least my company can do for the Navy."

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