A spending bill that's making its way through Congress is set to give area soldiers a long-awaited Memorial Day gift.

The National Defense Authorization Act for 2009 has been earmarked to include $920,000 to hire architects and planners to design a new Army Reserve Center in Brazos County, according to U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

It will replace a building that is home to the 420th Engineering Brigade, a reserve unit that "commands and controls assigned engineer assets," according to the brigade's Web site. The brigade has 22 subordinate units and more than 2,500 reserve soldiers.

Captains at the center did not return calls Friday.

The unit moved to Bryan in 1958 and has remained in the same building on West Carson Street since. Officers at the center have requested improvements for years.

According to Edwards, the building has foundation problems that have caused separation in the walls and cracked floors. The building also doesn't meet current military force protection requirements because it is too close to the street.

"Members of the 420th Engineering Brigade need facilities that effectively train and equip them to carry out their national security responsibilities," said Edwards in a statement announcing the appropriation. "This funding is an important first step that will pave the way for a new Army Reserve Center for the 420th Engineering Brigade."

Edwards chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

The bill, H.R. 5658, must be passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by President Bush before it becomes law. It was approved by the House, 384-23, on Thursday.

Edwards said that after completion of the design stage, he would include an additional $12 million for the center's construction in spending bills.

• Matthew Watkins' e-mail address is matthew.watkins@theeagle.com.

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