Officials cut ribbon to Douglass Valley renovation

  • Published
  • By Gary McManus
  • Forest City Military Communities
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Officials with the Air Force Academy, developer Forest City-Hunt and city of Colorado Springs cut the ribbon here April 30 on several extensively renovated homes located in the Douglass Valley neighborhood.

The project is a part of the ongoing privatization partnership the Air Force has undertaken to update its on-base family housing and amenities.

Academy officials gathered with area residents to officially unveil the newly renovated homes and Col. Todd Robison, commander of the 10th Mission Support Group, spoke on behalf of the Air Force.

The ribbon-cutting commemorates the completion of extensive renovation of 123 Air Force family homes in the neighborhood. 

Improvements include new, updated energy-efficient appliances and heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, new flooring, carpeting, and light fixtures and expanded master bedrooms, baths, and dining areas. 

Significant exterior improvements have also taken place on each of the homes including new cultured stone siding and garages.

These completions are a part of a larger multi-phase, multi-year privatization program involving Air Force family housing in five different neighborhoods at the Air Force Academy.

The project includes renovations, some new construction and demolition of outdated housing units. The first phase includes a total of 257 units. More than 123 renovated units are now available, another 93 are currently undergoing renovation and 100 are being demolished. 

Construction of 34 new units is also underway, with 23 units now completed. In addition, amenities such as a community center, jogging trail, and playgrounds & tot lots are planned. The project is projected to be completed in 2013.

"The renovations now completed in these homes, with more to come, will significantly upgrade and enhance the quality of life for our military families in this area," said Tom Henneberry, president of Forest City Military Communities, on behalf of the two firms partnering to construct and manage the Air Force Academy family housing areas. Hunt Building Companies is the other partner involved.