State Military Reservation Undergoes Major Infrastructure Upgrades

Barracks gutted and roads repaved in Virginia Beach

Buildings 231, 232, 342, and 343 are stripped down to the studs as heavy infrastructure upgrades sweep across the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach. Paving crews are currently resurfacing roads throughout SMR following the recent completion of a brand-new parking lot, while the installation’s summer annual training season has wrapped up.

Major renovations target historic and high-use facilities

Interior building upgrades progress concurrently across the grounds. Hurt Hall, one of the installation’s most heavily used facilities, recently received a completely refurbished floor. Next door, the historic chapel receives comprehensive repairs to its HVAC system, flooring, and latrines. Rental Cottage 88 is also under active renovation, while two other cottages previously closed for work are now reopening.

General Booth Boulevard welcomes new main gate

Traffic flow at the reservation will soon shift dramatically. While military convoys will continue entering off Birdneck Road at Gate 10, the current main gate will close, and all other traffic will pivot to a brand-new main gate located on General Booth Boulevard early next year. Load ramps are also under construction to support ongoing logistics.

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Dominion Power wraps up five-year offshore wind presence

For more than five years, the Dominion Power Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project has been visible across the installation. That on-shore work is now concluding, with Dominion Power preparing to end its construction operations on-site. Meanwhile, the facility’s sewage pumping station undergoes a complete renovation slated for completion within the next year.

Commonwealth Challenge campus returns to training inventory

The Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy closed this summer, and while some work remains, its facilities will eventually return to the inventory for training units. SMR supports joint, interagency, and multicomponent training year-round. Tenants include Virginia Army and Air National Guard units and a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve unit, alongside training activities for active-duty and reserve U.S. Army units, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and the FBI.

Upgrades designed to boost multi-agency training capabilities

The reservation also hosts the Civil Air Patrol and Young Marines, alongside community events such as a recent seafood festival. “We’ve got several things happening throughout SMR,” said Lt. Col. John Crocker, SMR commander. “We have constant maintenance and repairs going on.”

“All of these projects increase our capability to support training units,” Crocker said. “These renovations and improvements will provide more modernized facilities for training for all our customers.”