State Funds Guard Housing Upgrade
A new $3.5 million facility at Camp Smith replaces aging quarters, with New York covering a quarter of the cost.
By Julia Wang ·
New York is using state funds to upgrade military infrastructure at a pace that Major General Ray Shields says is rare among national states. On Oct. 29, Shields, the state adjutant general, officially opened a new senior leader housing building at Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor.
The $3.5 million project, designated Building 508A, replaces aging quarters used by officers and senior enlisted leaders. The 3,000-square-foot structure includes single rooms with private latrines, a lounge, laundry facilities, and a break area. Lt. Col. Chad Clark, the base operations manager, described the amenities as comparable to a modern hotel room.
Shields stated that visible investments in installation infrastructure send a supportive message to the state's force of more than 12,000 Army National Guard Soldiers. He argued that prioritizing modern workspaces and quarters directly impacts how troops view their service. "We need to focus on things that Soldiers see and the facilities that they use," he said.
The state covered 25 percent of the cost for Building 508A. Shields noted that this level of fiscal backing sets New York apart from other states. He discussed the state's support during an Oct. 28 meeting in Washington, D.C., with Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard. "Most National Guard units in the country do not get the level of fiscal support and support from their governor’s office that we get," Shields said.
New York has invested $493 million in military facilities over the past couple of years, with $165 million funded directly by the state. The state will also fund a new firing range at Camp Smith. Planning is already underway for a 24-unit housing complex to be built with federal funds behind the new building.
Sharon Buck, executive deputy commissioner of the Office of General Services, said her agency is proud to support the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. She stated that projects like this help deliver on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s commitment to investing in the people and institutions that serve New York State.
The construction involved several private-sector firms, including Woodard & Curran, Robert Marino Architects, and NASCO Construction Services. Contractors Vinco Builders, Hudson Valley Construction Management, and S&O Construction Services also participated in the build.
