ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Air Force announced Clark Realty Capital Limited Liability Company as the developer responsible for providing modern family housing for servicemembers stationed here March 13.
As part of this same agreement, Clark Realty Capital L.L.C. will also own and operate housing units at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
Under the contract, the Air Force will lease approximately 420 acres of land at Andrews to Clark Realty Capital L.L.C. for 50 years, and convey the existing housing inventory to the company. The contract calls for the demolition of 590 housing units, which were originally constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, the construction of 200 new housing units, and the renovation of 187 units. All renovation, demolition and new construction will be completed within six years.
Clark Realty Capital L.L.C. will be responsible for operations and maintenance of 887 end-state housing units here, including a historic unit. When all construction and renovations are complete, every house will meet or exceed contemporary standards, said Robert Meshako, 316th Civil Engineer Squadron Housing Privatization manager.
At a recent Air Force Association Symposium, Michael W. Wynne, Secretary of the Air Force, commented, "housing privatization has accelerated our ability to give military families safe, affordable and well-maintained housing in a community where they chose to live. We have awarded 19 housing privatization projects at 18 installations with almost 20,000 new homes. By partnering with the private sector, an investment of only $216 million has brought us over $3 billion in private sector development."
"Several years ago, the office of the Secretary of Defense established a goal for the military services to eliminate inadequate housing in the (continental United States) by fiscal year 2007 and at overseas locations by 2009," said Al Fiertner, 316 CES Housing Flight chief. "If we were to rely on traditional military construction alone, we would never get there. Privatization has proven to be a viable alternative to get our military families quality housing much quicker."
Privatizing military family housing provides Air Force members with the following benefits: homes built to private industry standards; rent equal to the amount of the member's basic allowance for housing; a well-designed community plan, complete with playgrounds, running and walking tracks, and sports recreational areas; emergency home maintenance service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; updated utility infrastructure; and new features such as garages, ample storage space and yards for children and pets to play.
For more information on Andrews' housing privatization program, contact the 316th Wing Public Affairs Office at 301-981-4424.