By Tim Cherry
Staff Writer
Thursday, December 1, 2011

Hill Hall commenced a new chapter in its long history when the 76-year-old facility officially reopened and once again became home to Belvoir’s Office of the Staff Judge Advocate Tuesday.

Attorneys, civilians and Soldiers celebrated the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Hill Hall, which has been part of Belvoir since the 1930s, received a major two year renovation to modernize and improve the quality of the building.

Col. Tad Lawson, Fort Belvoir staff judge advocate, presided over the event.

He said he was very thankful for the many people who helped complete the renovation.

“This will help us better serve the real needs of our Soldiers, our Family members, our retirees and all of our eligible clients,” Lawson said.

Some of Hill Hall’s upgrades include better electrical wiring, centralized heat and air-conditioning and a modernized courtroom.

The building is also Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified, as the lighting, plumbing and mechanical systems are more energy efficient.

Hill Hall, originally called Fort Humphrey’s Children School, was built in 1935 in Colonial-revival style design.

Lawson emphasized the renovations didn’t take away from the historical décor of the facility.

The terrazzo floor outside of the courtroom was refinished as well as existing hardwood floors throughout the facility. The existing windows were not touched and the original bookcase in the office of the SJA was refinished, but remains intact.

Chalkboards, cubbies and benches remain in the facility as well.

“This building is an intricate part of Fort Belvoir’s historic district,” said Lawson, whose current office used to be a kindergarten classroom. “I just smile everyday that I come into my new job because I know there were numerous Army brats that were educated here.”

A warehouse, on the corner of 16th Street and Lowen, served as the SJA’s office while Hill Hall was being renovated.

It wasn’t an ideal location, but Lawson said personnel made the most of the space.

He explained that Hill Hall gives the SJA a more professional look, more space and an environment more conducive for attorney-client confidentiality.

One of the many people Lawson noted as being extremely helpful in the renovation process was WO1 Jovanny Suarez, SJA legal administrator.

Suarez served as the project manager for the final stretch of the renovations and received the Judge Advocate General’s three star coin of excellence for his efforts in coordinating the move back into the facility.

“As you look around this building you will see (Suarez’s) blood, sweat and tears everywhere, literally,” Lawson said.

For Suarez, the modernized courtroom is the feature that stands out the most to him because the room has more technologic capability than its predecessor.

Among the new abilities is that attorneys will now be able to use television monitors to display evidence during cases.

“We’re thrusting the JAG Corps into the electronic era,” said Suarez, who believes that all the renovations give the facility a significant upgrade for personnel and clients alike.

Suarez is still working to make sure the renovated facility provides the best service possible.

“Everyone is glad to be back in the new building,” Suarez said, “glad to officially set-up shop and get some new systems in place to make the processes and legal services to our clients much better.”