Congressman Terry Everett Announces Army Selection of Private Contractor to Provide 1,476 Modern Family Housing Units at Fort Rucker
CONGRESSMAN TERRY EVERETT ANNOUNCES ARMY SELECTION OF PRIVATE CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE 1,476 MODERN FAMILY HOUSING UNITS AT FORT RUCKER
EVERETT PUSHED FOR APPROVAL OF MAJOR HOUSING PROGRAM IN 2005 DEFENSE BILL
The U.S. Army has awarded a 6-year contract to Picerne Military Housing, LLC of Warwick, RI. for the construction and refurbishment of 1,476 new family housing on post at Fort Rucker, Congressman Terry Everett, R-Rehobeth, announced today. This new military-private sector partnership, which includes a joint investment of $162 million, is part of the Army's on-going Residential Communities Initiative (RCI).
"I'm pleased to announce the Army's decision to partner with this contractor to conduct the planned major military family housing construction and renovations at Fort Rucker," Everett reacted. "This is the first step in a long-awaited, multi-year project to improve the quality of life for over 4,500 soldiers and their family members.
"The military partnership with Picerne will allow for 685 new 3 and 4 bedroom single family and duplex homes to be constructed at Fort Rucker over 6 years, and the renovation of another 791 existing homes," Everett observed. "Picerne will commit $138 million to the project over 6 years while the Army will invest $24 million.
"The 1996 Defense bill passed by Congress created the RCI pilot program which has been very successful nationally in alleviating military housing shortages. However, the program was limited in funding due to its pilot status.
"Last year, I joined with the House Armed Services Committee to include language in the 2005 Defense Authorization bill to eliminate the spending cap on this military-private investor partnership program to allow more such housing renovations to occur on military bases around the country, including Fort Rucker," Everett said.
"This program allows private investment in military housing which ultimately improves living conditions while expanding their availability - a win-win situation for our military families and the taxpayers."
http://wwwc.house.gov/everett/news/releases/military/release_020205.asp