Big changes to quality of life are happening here that soon will affect everyone at Shaw. A large amount of the construction is to improve the base quality of living and expand for 3rd Army.
The qualities of life for Airmen have improved by the construction of the new environmentally friendly 144 dormitory rooms. Older dorms have been remodeled for extended use and are providing more space for arriving occupants.
Another significant change is the privatization of base housing. Current planning calls for the construction of 705 new housing units and the retention of 3 existing units. This will consist of private businesses constructing new family housing units in a fraction of the time from what it normally would take through the traditional military construction process. A large amount of the demolition of the existing units is being accomplished in advance of privatization. The privatized housing will be available at a cost within the active duty member's basic housing allowance range. The housing units being constructed as part of privatization is required to be equivalent to those available in the local community.
"Privatizing housing will be our long term (50 years) opportunity to provide our service members with an option of renting future quality homes that maintain the environment of a military community," said Jeffrey Kallas, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron contracted project manager.
The BRAC program precedes 3rd Army in preparation for its arrival. One of the new construction projects consist of building a 350,000 square foot headquarters building for 3rd Army.
More than 1,400 Army personnel will soon arrive to begin operating on Shaw. The Army's arrival has boosted the expansion process and will impact all base residents.
Many of our base facilities are having air conditioning units repaired or replaced and other renovation efforts to improve facility condition and quality for our active duty personnel to operate within.
"It will improve the work environment so our Airmen can to be more productive and increase moral," said Andy Bigelow, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron programs flight chief.
As a result of BRAC and the economic stimulus packages, Shaw has started development of 18 new construction projects worth an estimated $145 million according to the 20th CES project information.