Housing privatization moves ahead at Peterson Published March 4, 2008 By Cindy Gersch Actus Lend Lease Project Marketing Manager PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Tierra Vista Communities, the privatization project at Peterson Air Force Base, is unveiling its plans for the new homes on base during the next five and a half years. In all, more than 650 homes will be built or renovated during the initial development period. The revitalization of Peterson community housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, a critical component in the effort to eliminate inadequate housing and foster a better quality of life for U.S. servicemembers and their families. As part of the project, homes for servicemembers of all ranks will be constructed, ranging in size from 1,634 square feet to 4,060 square feet. The plans call for attached homes to be built for junior noncommissioned officers along with single family homes for officers of all ranks and senior noncommissioned officers. As an Airman moves up in rank, their basic housing allowance increases, allowing for a larger home and higher level finishes. The larger homes and increased finishes will be commensurate with homes outside the gate, which encourages Airmen to remain on base. Improving recruitment, retention, and readiness by providing a better housing experience is one of the goals of the housing privatization program. As part of the new home construction, each home will receive significant upgrades. Features include two-car garages with garage door openers, technology niches pre-wired for high-speed internet connection, kitchens with energy efficient appliances and center islands, as well as master bedrooms with large walk-in closets and four or five piece master baths. The home and site design at Tierra Vista Communities eliminates "dead spaces" between houses and creates value out of every acre of property in the housing area. A strong connection between the homes' interior and exterior is provided through strategic window placement, spacious back patios and covered front porches. Safety and security are increased when residents can have "eyes on the street" and their private yard areas from within the home. All new homes will include fenced yards. "The features we are incorporating into each of the new home designs are features that these families deserve," said Jim Mullen, Tierra Vista Communities Project Director. "Large closets for storage and open floor plans for easy entertaining are two items families living here told us they wanted." Besides offering residents a new home with a variety of amenities, the homes at Peterson are being built with the environment in mind. All new homes will include central air through a high efficiency air conditioning unit as well as energy efficient central gas heat; both will be operated from a programmable thermostat, which can result in lower utility bills. Energy efficient appliances and ceiling fans located throughout the homes and tankless water heaters round out the complete home package. "It's important for us to do our part in protecting the environment," Mr. Mullen said. "Therefore by doing things such as installing tankless water heaters and energy efficient appliances, we are ensuring these homes are using as little energy as possible." Tierra Vista Communities plans to break ground and begin construction on these new homes in the spring of 2008. Actus Lend Lease was selected by the Air Force as the preferred developer for the $320 million community development project at three bases, including Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB and Los Angeles AFB, Calif.