The construction and renovation of Fort Gordon's aging barracks continue as the post enters its fourth year since surviving a nationwide round of military base reductions and closures.

A total of 35 projects costing $133 million are ongoing -- with the largest being work to renovate the 1960s-era "rolling-pin" style barracks and several administrative buildings.

Phil Pain, a resident engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said work on a 300-bed barracks will start early next year.

"After the holidays we will start to see some construction happening," he said.

Fort Gordon has also received about $15 million from the federal stimulus act, which will be used for improving roads, parking lots, bridges, roofing and other structures, according to retired Army Col. Thom Tuckey, a former garrison commander at the fort and the executive director of the CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon. An additional $19 million in stimulus funds are providing for repairs and renovations at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

"You won't go anywhere out there without seeing construction," Mr. Tuckey said.

Work has begun on three new child care centers and an expansion of Freedom Park Elementary School, which will soon go up to the eighth grade. The school work is being funded by the special purpose local option sales tax.

New construction and investment by the government bodes well for the post should another round of base closures occur.

However, "military value" should be the top consideration when making recommendations for base realignment and closure, according to Defense Department documents. This means changes in the Army's mission could rank higher than the fort's funding and community support.

Still, officials said they are happy with the growth taking place.

The 67th Signal Battalion was recently brought to full strength, adding more than 100 military personnel. Also, more people are coming to Fort Gordon as part of the new 7th Signal Command. The command, which was announced last year and will be under the command of Brig. Gen. Jennifer Napper, is expected to be based at Fort Gordon by 2010. About 200 additional civilian employees for the command will be arriving in the next few months.