Malmstrom conducts town hall meeting for Minuteman Village residents

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Korry Leverett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  A town hall meeting was hosted by Col. Michael Fortney, 341st Missile Wing commander, and members of the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron at the base auditorium March 31 to discuss the upcoming relocation and construction plan for families currently residing in the Minuteman Village housing area.

During initial construction in 2001, units were built without proper drainage causing structural and cosmetic damage to many of the homes in Minuteman Village.

"This is really a good news story. It's going to be painful, but it's a good news story," said Colonel Fortney. "The leadership of the Civil Engineer Squadron has worked hard over the last year and now has secured funding to repair damaged homes in Minuteman Village."

Recently Congress earmarked $26.2 million for repairs to 179 units in Minuteman Village housing as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The plan is broken down into two major phases, the initial investigated phase and the construction phase. The investigative phase will include a walk-through of all 179 homes by the 341st CES from April 16 to 30.

"The purpose of the investigative phase is to visually inspect each of the homes to see what the problems are," said Lt. Col. Timothy Dodge, 341st CES commander. "It's important that this be accomplished to ensure we have a good understanding of what damage needs to be repaired, whether it's cosmetic or structural."

The construction phase is set to begin at the end of 2009 and will include three major sub phases. Each sub phase will last roughly one year and include enough time to allow residents to vacate their homes before construction begins. The construction phase should be complete by the end of 2012.

"The reason this is happening so fast is because the act (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) requires the funding be spent within 120 days of it being signed (Feb 17)," Colonel Dodge said.

Residents that live on Olive, Jasmine and Hawthorne courts will be affected in the first construction phase and be required to relocate before the end of this year.

"Our goal is to maintain good communication with all the families in Minuteman Village and to minimize the impact on all of them," Colonel Dodge said. "The housing office is working extremely hard to provide as many options as possible in this relocation."
Three options are available to families impacted by the construction: to move into the Peacekeeper Park housing area, wait for a new home that's currently being constructed and will ready to open in the November or December timeframe, or to move off base.

"The move will be paid for by the government, whether you choose to do it yourself, or hire a contractor through the transportation management office," Colonel Dodge said.

The second phase of construction will begin in 2011 and be completed by December that same year, and the third phase will begin in 2012 and also be completed by the end of the same year.

Options to relocate for those residing in phase two and three of Minuteman Village are different than those in the first. At the time the first phase of construction is complete families residing in the second phase will be allowed to relocate into the newly renovated housing units in Minuteman Village, and similarly, for those residing in the third phase, once the second is complete, they will be allowed to relocate into the newly renovated housing.

Repairs to homes will include the replacement of many concrete slabs, repairing cracks in walls, anchoring homes and replacing many of the neighborhood sidewalks.

Residents were also given the opportunity to ask the housing office questions during the town hall meeting. Many residents asked how much time would be given by the housing office to relocate.

"We are going to do everything we can to accommodate people in this transition," said Larry Boggs, housing management assistant. "We will be as flexible as possible and give folks an adequate amount of time to relocate."

Other concerns raised by residents: How much weight would be allowed for the move? Would square footage be similar in the new homes? How would access to the housing area be affected by the ongoing construction?

"The important thing to remember is that we, and by we, I mean everyone involved, is going to do everything within reason to minimize the impact and assist in this relocation process," Colonel Dodge said. "We understand many folks will have lots of questions and we are prepared to help however we can."

For individual questions and concerns, stop by the housing office or call 731-4624 for help.