Friday, 17 April 2009 02:55 By Jennifer Naylor Gesick | Variety News Staff
$42M housing project almost complete
THE Navy has built better houses on base as part of the military’s efforts to improve the living conditions of soldiers who are assigned to Guam, officials said yesterday.
“We want to continue to work to make Guam a preferred location, which we think it is already, and homes like this just make it that much easier,” Rear Admiral William French, commander of the Joint Region Marianas said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Apra View housing project yesterday.
The $42 million project was awarded to Black Construction two years ago. The project involved the demolition of 61 old housing units, which were replaced with 55 new homes that are expected to be completed by July 1.
“We want to attract folks who might come to Guam and allow folks to have the best quality of life they can living here on Guam,” French added.
“This project includes the highest standards in construction and amenities. In short, these homes represent the standards of habitability that our sailors and anyone living here deserves,” French said.
Captain Scott Galbreith, commanding officer at Navy, said the new homes would cost a civilian renter about $3,000 per unit off-base.
“We were having a lot of trouble with the old homes. Now they have all new energy star efficient homes that will use less energy and less water consumption,” said Galbeith.
Not average house
“These homes are still concrete. However, they are not your standard Guam home. They have high vaulted ceilings, a lot of space, storage, and they are very child friendly,” said Leonard Kaae, senior vice president and general manager for Black Construction.
“We have taken extreme measures to provide the best possible housing that the government money can buy. I hope people can appreciate the level of quality that has gone into these units,” he added.
They love Guam
Lieutenant James Rutan, staff chaplain, will soon move into one of the homes with his wife and four children who will soon be joining him on Guam.
“I love Guam. The people are friendly; the food is good-- maybe too good, in fact. It is just an absolutely beautiful place. My family is going be so happy because all this and the new home is what awaits them,” said Rutan.
Each of the finished homes was complete with professional landscaping done by Guam Tropical Landscaping. Some of the other amenities include neighborhood jogging and bike trails, play courts, recreation facilities.
“Rest assured you can look forward to many more improvements like this to our facilities here at naval base and at Joint region Marianas,” French said.
“I am proud to say that these homes were then and are again now some of the best homes available both on and off base and actually in the entire western Pacific,” said French
See Also:
Navy Opens Brand New Housing In Old Apra
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7290:navy-opens-brand-new-housing-in-old-apra&catid=34:guam&Itemid=141
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX6tth9Vx3E
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