“Topping-Out” Ceremony Marks Milestone on Navy’s Newest Child Development Center in Hampton Roads

From Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Leadership from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEB LC-FS), Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic (NAVFAC MIDLANT), Navy Child and Youth Programs, and construction partners gathered Oct. 29 for a beam signing and topping-out ceremony, marking a significant construction milestone for the installation’s newest Child Development Center (CDC). The project supports family readiness, enhances quality of life, and reflects the Navy’s commitment to modernizing critical shore infrastructure.

During the ceremony, project stakeholders signed one of the final wooden beams for the north building before it was hoisted into position. In keeping with longstanding topping-out traditions, an evergreen tree and American flag were secured to the beam, symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and a shared commitment to the children, families, educators, and staff who will learn, grow, and work within the new CDC.

“Our military families sacrifice alongside our service members every single day, and they deserve world-class support,” said Capt. Katie Jacobson, JEB LC-FS commanding officer. “Active construction on our newest CDC brings us one step closer to opening doors for children in an environment specifically designed for early development and play. By directly supporting the CNO’s focus on quality of life and warfighting readiness, accessible childcare is essential to retaining our top talent, easing the strain on military-connected parents, and ensuring our Little Creek-Fort Story community continues to thrive.”

The center will provide care for military children from infancy through age five, delivering developmentally appropriate programs that support early learning and social-emotional development while providing continuity for families navigating the demands of military life.

As construction continues, the project is approximately 17 percent complete and remains on schedule for completion in June 2027, nearly a year ahead of its original contract completion date. The next major phase will include installation of the roof and exterior wall systems in late November, bringing the facility to a dried-in condition and protecting the structure from weather-related impacts.

The new CDC represents a major investment in service members and their families. Selected as the pilot effort utilizing Other Transactional Authority (OTA), the project is part of a broader initiative to accelerate delivery of critical infrastructure through a progressive design-build approach. The effort also incorporates prefabricated and industrialized construction techniques designed to accelerate delivery, improve quality, and enhance efficiency.

“This is a historic project for the Navy,” said Charles Stanton Jr., Director of Project Management for NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic. “As the first Navy military construction (MILCON) project delivered through an OTA approach, it is proving that innovative acquisition strategies and industrialized construction methods can significantly accelerate delivery without sacrificing quality. The lessons learned here will help inform future Navy projects and pave the way for a new generation of infrastructure delivery that better supports the mission.”

The future 41,000-square-foot facility will include 25 child activity rooms, administrative spaces, a kitchen, and mechanical areas. The program will feature eight infant rooms, seven pre-toddler rooms, six toddler rooms, and four preschool rooms, each organized to support age-appropriate developmental needs. The facility will also include multiple age-appropriate playgrounds equipped with playsets and interactive stations adjacent to their corresponding activity areas.

“The construction team remains focused on delivering this project, and today’s ceremony highlights the significant progress made since construction began 7 months ago,” said Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Rowe, resident officer in charge of construction at Little Creek. “While we are proud of the work accomplished so far, the true measure of success will be when military families are able to rely on this facility for safe, high-quality childcare that supports their daily lives and contributes to mission readiness.”

This project serves as a model for future Navy infrastructure efforts by demonstrating how standardized design, innovative contracting strategies, and industrialized construction can accelerate delivery while improving quality across the shore enterprise. More importantly, it represents a long-term investment in military families and operational readiness. As construction progresses, NAVFAC MIDLANT remains committed to delivering resilient, modern facilities that strengthen the readiness, resilience, and quality of life of the service members and families it serves.

NAVFAC MIDLANT delivers comprehensive facilities engineering and environmental services across a broad area of responsibility – from South Carolina to Maine, extending west to Illinois and south to Indiana.

For additional information about NAVFAC MIDLANT on social media, follow our activities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/navfacmidatlantic and on Instagram @navfacmidatlantic.

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