New York Construction Report staff writer
Federal officials and academy leaders gathered this week at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to mark the start of a sweeping campus modernization initiative that will bring more than $2 billion in improvements to the historic Long Island institution over the next decade.
The groundbreaking ceremony, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, and academy officials, celebrated the launch of the first construction project under the Campus Modernization Program — a $12.9 million dredging contract awarded to Breakwater Marine LLC.
The project will remove nearly 51,000 cubic yards of sediment from Hague Basin, restoring navigable depths for academy vessels and ensuring safe maritime training operations. Officials said the work is critical to maintaining the academy’s hands-on training mission and marks the first major step in a broader effort to modernize the campus.
“Restoring full operational depth to the Hague Basin ensures the Academy can train and operate without constraint,” said Col. Alexander Young, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New York District. “This contract award would not be possible without our project delivery team members who worked tirelessly under expedited schedules to handle complex environmental and permitting issues, meet every milestone, and deliver at the highest level. We look forward to working closely with the Academy and our partners to successfully advance the broader USMMA revitalization effort.”
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, one of the nation’s five federal service academies, educates officers who serve in the U.S. Merchant Marine, the armed forces and the maritime industry. Established in 1943 during World War II, the Kings Point campus was built to support the nation’s wartime maritime needs. More than 80 years later, academy officials say aging infrastructure has become a significant challenge to fulfilling its mission.
The modernization effort gained momentum after the White House issued Executive Order 14269, “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to take immediate action to modernize the academy. The Army Corps’ New York District subsequently entered into an interagency agreement to oversee major renovations and infrastructure improvements across the campus.
Officials said the Campus Modernization Program represents an investment of more than $2 billion over a period exceeding 10 years. Approximately $181 million has already been allocated to launch the initial phase of projects, with additional funding expected in future years.
Among the projects planned are repairs to a 2,800-foot seawall that protects the campus from storms and tidal surges, demolition of obsolete structures, construction of new barracks and renovation of existing student housing, upgrades to waterfront infrastructure, and improvements to academic and training facilities.
Future plans also include construction of a new academic building, a modern athletic fieldhouse, a mariner training center and the establishment of a federal Maritime Center of Excellence.
To manage the extensive portfolio of projects, the New York District recently established an Integrated Program Office led by Chief Matthew Emigholz. The office is responsible for overseeing planning, engineering, contracting and construction activities throughout the modernization effort.
Ryan Ferguson serves as program manager for the office and supervises a team of project managers tasked with ensuring projects are completed on schedule, within budget and to federal standards.
Officials said the long-term investment will strengthen the academy’s ability to train future maritime leaders while enhancing the nation’s maritime workforce, economic competitiveness and military readiness.
As dredging equipment prepares to move into Hague Basin, academy leaders said the groundbreaking signals the beginning of a transformative era for the institution, ensuring it remains equipped to educate and train generations of merchant mariners and military officers well into the future.
