Fort Bliss Monitor

Construction update
GMH continues work on new family housing

Catrina Francis
Monitor Staff

Photos by 1st Lt. Sabrina Smith

Sgt. Shawn Shannon prepares for breakfast at Stafford Dining Facility.

Since July 1, Government Military Housing has continued to provide new construction and upgrades to military housing here.

The new construction, upgrades and privatization of family housing is part of the Residential Communities Initiative.

According to GMH, construction started in the south officer’s area, which has been renamed Corregidor, mid July. A total of 285 new homes will be built in the company grade officer neighborhood. As of press time, 400 concrete foundations have been laid and underground plumbing to 24 homes has been placed. The construction is approximately 35 percent complete and is expected to be finished in August 2008.

Construction of 405 homes in Aero Vista also started in mid July. All of the dirt work has been completed and concrete foundations are currently being laid, with 20 already complete. Construction on water, sewer and storm systems has also begun. Construction of the homes in Aero Vista is approximately 15 percent complete with an expected completion date of February 2009.

GMH will also be responsible for upgrading current military housing. GMH started upgrading existing homes in the 108 housing area Sept. 1, with four homes already complete. The upgrades will consist of drywall repairs and the installation of central refrigerated air and heating packages, energy efficient lighting packages, fans in the living rooms and bedrooms.

The new construction will provide something that military families have needed for a long time: space. The new houses provide military families with larger living areas.

Diana Kinlaw, GMH project director, said a survey was conducted and the No.1 thing military families wanted more of was space.

“I know what it is like to live in housing. My background enabled me to look at what we were going to do to make it better for the Soldier and [space] was the first thing we looked at,” said Kinlaw.

Kinlaw said storage space was also an issue because military families are constantly moving and storage space is needed.

The officer housing that is currently being built will offer more room. The three- bedroom/two-bathroom quarters will offer 1,800 square feet, and the four-bedroom quarters will have as much as 2,250 square feet. The houses will also include a double- car garage.

“[We] got here last July and at first it was a little rough because we did not have enough storage space. We pay $50 to $70 out of pocket cost for a storage unit. We don’t have a garage and it will be nice when we move into the new house. The new area is nice and it offers a neighborhood atmosphere,” said Roma Litton, family member.

In coming years, the Fort Bliss community will see 1,449 existing homes demolished, 1,659 new state-of-the-art homes being constructed and 1,163 renovations of existing homes, including 206 historic renovations. Throughout the 50-year project, $1.6 billion will be invested in the housing communities here.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	November 10 , 2005

	Construction update GMH continues work on new family housing Catrina Francis Monitor Staff Photos by 1st Lt. Sabrina Smith Sgt. Shawn Shannon prepares for breakfast at Stafford Dining Facility. Since July 1, Government Military Housing has continued to provide new construction and upgrades to military housing here. The new construction, upgrades and privatization of family housing is part of the Residential Communities Initiative. According to GMH, construction started in the south officer’s area, which has been renamed Corregidor, mid July. A total of 285 new homes will be built in the company grade officer neighborhood. As of press time, 400 concrete foundations have been laid and underground plumbing to 24 homes has been placed. The construction is approximately 35 percent complete and is expected to be finished in August 2008. Construction of 405 homes in Aero Vista also started in mid July. All of the dirt work has been completed and concrete foundations are currently being laid, with 20 already complete. Construction on water, sewer and storm systems has also begun. Construction of the homes in Aero Vista is approximately 15 percent complete with an expected completion date of February 2009. GMH will also be responsible for upgrading current military housing. GMH started upgrading existing homes in the 108 housing area Sept. 1, with four homes already complete. The upgrades will consist of drywall repairs and the installation of central refrigerated air and heating packages, energy efficient lighting packages, fans in the living rooms and bedrooms. The new construction will provide something that military families have needed for a long time: space. The new houses provide military families with larger living areas. Diana Kinlaw, GMH project director, said a survey was conducted and the No.1 thing military families wanted more of was space. “I know what it is like to live in housing. My background enabled me to look at what we were going to do to make it better for the Soldier and [space] was the first thing we looked at,” said Kinlaw. Kinlaw said storage space was also an issue because military families are constantly moving and storage space is needed. The officer housing that is currently being built will offer more room. The three- bedroom/two-bathroom quarters will offer 1,800 square feet, and the four-bedroom quarters will have as much as 2,250 square feet. The houses will also include a double- car garage. “[We] got here last July and at first it was a little rough because we did not have enough storage space. We pay $50 to $70 out of pocket cost for a storage unit. We don’t have a garage and it will be nice when we move into the new house. The new area is nice and it offers a neighborhood atmosphere,” said Roma Litton, family member. In coming years, the Fort Bliss community will see 1,449 existing homes demolished, 1,659 new state-of-the-art homes being constructed and 1,163 renovations of existing homes, including 206 historic renovations. Throughout the 50-year project, $1.6 billion will be invested in the housing communities here.