Fort Gordon is creating new barracks and upgrading old ones.

The newest buildings can be seen along Chamberlain Avenue near Dwight D, Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

"This is part of the 'Grow the Army' initiative," said Col. John Holwick, Fort Gordon's garrison commander.

The modular buildings provide space for about 4,000 trainees.

"They started in January," he said.

The contractor is scheduled to turn over the first of the completed units sometime this week, he said.

Other barracks near Barnes Avenue are being upgraded. Referred to "rolling pins" because of their shape, these older buildings are designed to hold eight people per room. They are being converted to a college dormitory format that allows two occupants per room.

"They were built in the mid-'60s, early '70s," Col. Holwick said.

Units were housed together, and each had its own cooks and dining facilities.

Another group of barracks has been undergoing upgrades for about eight years. Located near Lane Avenue, the "volunteer Army barracks" were built in the mid-1970s. Improvements over the years included converting the flat-top roofs to pitched roofs.

These barracks are for military people who have long-term assignments on post. Sailors, military police and military intelligence personnel live in them. The two-person rooms are being converted to single-occupancy rooms.

"Because of funding, we can only do two or three at a time," Col. Holwick said.

Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.