Industry Forum highlights Rock Island Army Family Housing projects

Published June 29, 2016
This rendering shows one of the two-story Army Family Housing projects slated to begin in 2016.

This rendering shows one of the two-story Army Family Housing projects slated to begin in 2016.

Clayton Hayes, USACE Louisville District Project Manager, briefs attendees at the Industry Forum held at Rock Island Arsenal, May 4, 2016.

Clayton Hayes, USACE Louisville District Project Manager, briefs attendees at the Industry Forum held at Rock Island Arsenal, May 4, 2016.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District hosted an Industry Forum at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, on May 4, 2016, to inform the construction community about two highly-anticipated housing projects at the installation.

The event was well-attended by approximately 50 representatives from the construction community. Among the participants were Maj. Gen. Kevin O’Connell, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and Col. Elmer Speights, Rock Island Arsenal garrison commander, while project delivery team members provided a project overview, the procurement process and construction contract administration details.

“It’s a great way to spread the good news of work that is about to take place in the area,” said Steve Farkus, military project management section chief, USACE Louisville District. “The project delivery team put a great foot forward and the Directorate of Public Works staff really did a great job on getting the right information about these projects out there.”

The projects of interest are two new Army Family Housing projects. The first is scheduled to break ground late summer 2016, and will create 33 single-family residential housing units. The second is scheduled to break ground in fall 2016 and will create 38 new single-family residential housing units.

“These projects will offer housing for various grade officers including colonels, lieutenant colonels, majors, senior non-commissioned officers, and also E7s – E9s. Without it, service members relocating to Rock Island Arsenal will not be able to find adequate affordable housing, and will have to either live in sub-standard conditions, or outside the area requiring excessive commute time,” said Clayton Hayes, military project manager.

“The government currently leases 50 family housing units that have exceeded their useful and economic life, and will be terminated in conjunction with this project, and the follow-on deficit construction project,” said Hayes.

There will be six to seven different floor plans used in the housing units and one- and two-story configurations that meet the current standards for Army Family Housing. The first project will include a bus stop, playground and basketball court. The replacement project will have a bus stop playground, and running path.

As part of the new construction, all the homes were designed to have storm shelters, and to meet LEED-H version 4 silver compliance for homes from the U.S. Green Building Council. Many green features will be incorporated throughout such as energy star shingles, material efficient framing system, whole house water and gas meters and additional insulation above the minimum energy requirement.

Both projects are scheduled to be complete and ready for occupancy by summer of 2018.