New housing construction is more than half finished despite bad weather

  • Published
  • By Joe B. Wiles
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  New family-housing construction is more than half finished despite recent bad weather, said Ron Hanson, the project manager for Hunt Construction, at the Vance Housing Privatization Partnering meeting April 16. 

"Before the end of April we plan to deliver the 90-day letters to the first group of families eligible to move into the new field-grade officer housing," said Kent Davis, the community director for Pinnacle, the company that manages Vance's family housing. 

Questionnaires will be provided to all recently promoted field-grade officers in housing. Those living off base can request a questionnaire by contacting Pinnacle at 234-0498. "All eligible residents will be placed on the current waiting list and notified as soon as practical of their status and pending moves," said Mr. Davis. Permanent party housing residents will be given priority for new homes. 

A meeting attendee asked how long residents will be given to complete a move into the new housing. Mr. Davis said he was not aware of a specific amount of time, but would find out. "It would seem that 48 hours wasn't enough but 30 days was probably too much," he said. 

The first phase of existing housing renovation -- testing for lead and asbestos -- began April 15, said Mr. Hanson. The first group of houses, 23 identified for demolition, 10 identified for major renovation and the two currently used as Pinnacle offices, were tested on April 15, 16 and 17. 

"It will take approximately four weeks to complete the testing in the Capehart area of the community," said Mr. Hanson. Notices will be sent out to each new group of homes the Friday before their scheduled inspections. 

In the new construction area, framing and roof decking has been completed on all 16 company grade officer units, said Mr. Hanson. Shingles are finished on half the units and electrical and heating and air conditioning rough work is complete in four units, he said. 

Hardy board siding and brick exterior placements are complete on the nine field-grade officer units, Mr. Hanson said. Drywall, mudding and taping is also finished and the rough work for electrical and heating and air conditioning is complete in all units. 

The five senior-officer units have all the roof decking and hardy-board siding complete. Drywall installation and rough work for electrical and heating and air conditioning is complete in all the units, Mr. Hanson said. 

The lawns in the new construction area will be hydroseeded - spraying a mixture of seed and mulch - to promote quick germination and inhibit soil erosion, said Mr. Hanson. He also said while there will be no fencing overall in the new construction area, the five senior officer homes will have privacy fences. 

According to Mr. Davis, residents have expressed concerns about weed and pest control, flowers and getting housing upgrades based on recent promotions, said Mr. Davis. 

"Residents have been asking for weed treatment in the fenced in area of their yards," he said. Safety concerns for pets and children prevent spraying in those areas. "We are treating for weeds in all other areas." 

Until recently, pest control service was only provided on Wednesdays. "We identified a need for immediate change to better serve our residents," said Mr. Davis. Now pest control service will be provided Monday through Friday with a 24-hour notice. 

"Pinnacle will provide flowers and mulch to our residents beginning in late April or early May," Mr. Davis said. In the mean time he recommended residents prepare their flower beds by removing grass and weeds.