Fort Bliss Monitor

RCI open house held to discuss new housing plans

Spc. Steve Baack
Monitor Staff

An open house was held at the Army Community Center regarding the Residential Communities Initiative design, renovation, construction plans and schedule of new on-post housing Tuesday.

After Col. Bryon E. Greenwald, Garrison commander, provided an introduction, representatives from GMH Associates, Inc., Benham Companies and Centex Construction Group, along with two designers, gave presentations and answered questions from among the approximately 200 people in attendance. Soldiers and spouses voiced their concerns, ranging from when and how much they’ll pay, storage space vs. garage space, allocation for different numbers of family members, etc.

Partnered with Team Bliss, the groups’ intention is to allow the residents to scrutinize current plans, and change those plans through focus groups and general feedback. Presenters gave detailed layouts and drawings of housing for junior enlisted, senior enlisted and officer quarters.

“I’m retired from the Army and I never got the chance to sit down with an architect and say things like ‘I want the kitchen a little wider’ … so this your chance,” said Ronald J. Hansen, vice president, project management of GMH.

Once the partner gains ownership of housing, each resident will first sign a lease. Residents will pay rent and utilities through Basic Allowance for Housing, and maintenance will be fully funded. From there, the partner will develop the project through new construction, renovation and addition of amenities. Aside from rent, funds for the project will also be acquired through profits from operations, interest on accounts, the contribution of equity, Army-contributed funds and borrowed funds.

The project includes the planned construction of 1,739 replacement homes, plus the renovation of 206 historical homes and 667 non-historical homes.

While housing will be run and maintained by commercial entities, Army leadership will still be in charge of the support, discipline and welfare of the Soldiers and their families, said the presenters.

The presenters stressed that housing units will remain exclusive to the military community, despite the residents’ option to move off-post. “The housing we have is only for the military,” said Pierluigi Montanini, architect and planner from GMH. “And while there may be better looking homes on the outside, no one else can live here but the military. Now, think about that from a marketing standpoint.”

“Our challenge is to provide the best possible place to live so you don’t move somewhere else,” said Hansen.
When will changes start taking place? After gaining approval through the Department of the Army and Congress during fall and winter, the initiative is slated to start in July of 2005. The partner has prioritized the needs of each community and will address those units in worse condition first. Construction will start for new communities in 2005, whereas renovations and construction are expected to start for North Main Post, West Officers and South Officers in 2008.

“Fort Bliss RCI project will achieve a superbly planned, stunningly designed, cutting edge community … a living example of 21st century technology sensitive to issues of energy, environment, family and social interaction … a delight to the senses,” read the partners’ mission statement.

“The bottom line is that we want the rest of the Army to come to Fort Bliss and say ‘we want to be a part of that,’” said Greenwald.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 22, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	RCI open house held to discuss new housing plans Spc. Steve Baack Monitor Staff An open house was held at the Army Community Center regarding the Residential Communities Initiative design, renovation, construction plans and schedule of new on-post housing Tuesday. After Col. Bryon E. Greenwald, Garrison commander, provided an introduction, representatives from GMH Associates, Inc., Benham Companies and Centex Construction Group, along with two designers, gave presentations and answered questions from among the approximately 200 people in attendance. Soldiers and spouses voiced their concerns, ranging from when and how much they’ll pay, storage space vs. garage space, allocation for different numbers of family members, etc. Partnered with Team Bliss, the groups’ intention is to allow the residents to scrutinize current plans, and change those plans through focus groups and general feedback. Presenters gave detailed layouts and drawings of housing for junior enlisted, senior enlisted and officer quarters. “I’m retired from the Army and I never got the chance to sit down with an architect and say things like ‘I want the kitchen a little wider’ … so this your chance,” said Ronald J. Hansen, vice president, project management of GMH. Once the partner gains ownership of housing, each resident will first sign a lease. Residents will pay rent and utilities through Basic Allowance for Housing, and maintenance will be fully funded. From there, the partner will develop the project through new construction, renovation and addition of amenities. Aside from rent, funds for the project will also be acquired through profits from operations, interest on accounts, the contribution of equity, Army-contributed funds and borrowed funds. The project includes the planned construction of 1,739 replacement homes, plus the renovation of 206 historical homes and 667 non-historical homes. While housing will be run and maintained by commercial entities, Army leadership will still be in charge of the support, discipline and welfare of the Soldiers and their families, said the presenters. The presenters stressed that housing units will remain exclusive to the military community, despite the residents’ option to move off-post. “The housing we have is only for the military,” said Pierluigi Montanini, architect and planner from GMH. “And while there may be better looking homes on the outside, no one else can live here but the military. Now, think about that from a marketing standpoint.” “Our challenge is to provide the best possible place to live so you don’t move somewhere else,” said Hansen. When will changes start taking place? After gaining approval through the Department of the Army and Congress during fall and winter, the initiative is slated to start in July of 2005. The partner has prioritized the needs of each community and will address those units in worse condition first. Construction will start for new communities in 2005, whereas renovations and construction are expected to start for North Main Post, West Officers and South Officers in 2008. “Fort Bliss RCI project will achieve a superbly planned, stunningly designed, cutting edge community … a living example of 21st century technology sensitive to issues of energy, environment, family and social interaction … a delight to the senses,” read the partners’ mission statement. “The bottom line is that we want the rest of the Army to come to Fort Bliss and say ‘we want to be a part of that,’” said Greenwald.