Peterson breaks ground on first of new houses

Published April 14, 2008
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Peterson is a few shovelfuls of dirt closer to new, improved housing for its Airmen.

Tierra Vista Communities broke ground April 10 on the first new house to be built on Peterson as part of the base's move to privatized housing. Braving cold temperatures and gusty winds, base and housing officials held a brief groundbreaking ceremony before heading to the Peterson Club to celebrate the important milestone.

"It really is a big day for us," Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing commander, told the crowd. "We're not only going to be able to provide the quality of life that comes with living on base, but we'll have the quality homes to go with it."

Under the privatized housing agreement, developer Actus Lend Lease - working under the name Tierra Vista Communities - will build 597 new homes on Peterson and renovate several more over the next few years as part of an agreement with the base. Tierra Vista will also be responsible for all housing maintenance - a responsibility it assumed last September - and collecting servicemembers' basic housing allowances.

The new homes will feature significant upgrades compared to Peterson's current housing stock, built between 1965 and 1975. Each new model will feature amenities such as two-car garages, energy efficient appliances, technology nooks with pre-wired high-speed Internet and walk-in closets. Tierra Vista will also build new playgrounds, a community center and walking trails around the houses.

Bob Mathis, vice president of Actus' Air Force portfolio, said the improvements are long overdue. A retired colonel, Mr. Mathis lived in an 800-square-foot cinder block and brick home on his base in the 1970s, the same type of home that is still in use on military bases today. While the house was OK at the time, it's ill-suited for modern Airmen, he said.

"Those same homes continue to serve as homes for our military families today," he said. "I think everyone agrees that's wrong. This project is about making new memories for our military members and their families."

Airman 1st Class Grant Schneider will be one of the first in line to get into the new homes. Airman Schneider, his wife and their new baby have enjoyed living on Peterson for a while now, he said, but they're looking forward to having a little more space and some newer appliances.

"We lived off base in apartments before we came here, and it just wasn't that great," he said. "It was a whole lot better here, and we're looking forward to it getting even better."

Breaking ground on the future