Far East District [FED] Compound
Far East Engineer District [FED] has a long history of overseeing the design and construction of outstanding quality of life and operational facilities for the Department of Defense community in Korea. The District is designated as the Department of Defense design and construction agent for engineering and construction programs throughout the Republic of Korea. The command includes over 350 civilian and 12 military personnel who annually execute a $390 million program supporting the Army, Navy, Air Force, DoD Dependent School System, and other DoD agencies.

On 12 October 2000 the local Choong-Ku municipality requested that the R.O.K.-US SOFA Committee approve the closure of FED's Tongdaemun area compound. Such a move would be the matter of lengthy negotiations likely to take years. Perhaps an office tower at the Army's main Yongsan Garrison would be more appropriate for FED than the current location in the heart of Seoul's fashion district. In the meantime FED was in the process of selecting a third AE [Architectural Engineering] firm to join Amkor and TJD on the FED compound. In addition, FED is considering a move to "Design/Build" or "Turnkey" contracting. This type of contracting combines designing and building into one bid, instead of using two, separate contractors.

On 12 October 2000, ten shovel-wielding dignitaries broke ground for FED's new Motor Vehicle Maintenance Facility - better known as the Motor Pool - on the site of the current Motor Pool parking lot. FED mechanics would no longer have to work outside during wet or cold months in Korea. The new motor pool building's five bay openings will be high and wide enough to accommodate our largest vehicles. The four-room facility provides approximately 3000 square feet, or 275 square meters, of environmentally-and structurally - sound floor space enclosed by steel beams on a concrete slab. The old 1950's era Motor Pool facility will be demolished. The new Motor Pool was completed in February 2001 at a cost of $450,000.