American Legion Post Reopens After Facility Renovations

Construction charity organization AGC Charities, Inc. completed renovations to an American Legion Post located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to make the facility more handicap accessible. Dozens of local contractors donated their time, expertise and money to make a series of improvements to the Kenneth H. Nash Post 8 building.

“We are honored to have this opportunity to give back to the men and women that have sacrificed so much for our great country and the freedoms we all enjoy,” said Joe Jarboe, senior vice president of Clark Construction Group and the president of Associated General Contractors of America. “We hope that with these new renovations the Post will be able to better serve these honorable service men and women and provide the best accommodations possible.”

The charitable group teamed up with Bethesda-based Clark Construction Group, who volunteered to serve as the lead contractor, as well as Georgetown-based Zaras & Neudorfer Architects, who provided the architectural services for the project. The improvements included renovations to the bathroom facilities in the event hall to make them handicap accessible, enlarged storage spaces and widened doors.

Jarboe said the renovations will allow the Post to serve wounded and disabled soldiers that currently can"t access many parts of the building. He added now that the renovations are completed, the Post will be able to welcome visiting disabled soldiers and host veterans recuperating at nearby Walter Reed Hospital for special functions, like Super Bowl parties. The facility will also be better able to accommodate many of its aging members, thanks to the renovations, he added.

“It’s an honor to be involved with such a worthwhile project,” said Matthew Cerritelli, superintendent, Clark Construction Group and lead volunteer for the charity project. “We’re tremendously excited about the opportunity to give back to the community and provide a service to our brave men and women in uniform.”

In addition to Clark Construction Group and Zaras & Neudorfer Architects, Jarboe noted that a long list of local contractors is attached to the project including: D.C.-based Pierce Associates; Baltimore-based C.B. Flooring; Baltimore-based Berg Corporation; Rockville-based Maryland Applicators, Inc.; Greenville, N.C.-based C.H. Edwards; Calabasas, Calif.-based Valleycrest Landscape; Lorton, Va.-based K M Builders; Philadelphia, Pa.-based Materials Distributors; Glen Burnie, Md.-based Harmon Glass; Clinton, Md.-based Mona Electric Group; Warrenton, Va.-based Delta Painting and Bethesda-based Clark Concrete.

Jarboe noted that the philanthropic group was established five years ago to channel and support the charitable efforts of the construction community. He added that the group held previous national Operation Opening Doors projects in Honolulu, Orlando and Las Vegas and is working on a new project in Palm Springs.