First leases signed for privatized housing

Published May 11, 2007
By Corey Dahl
Space Observer

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- For Debra Metheny and her husband, Tech. Sgt. Harry Metheny, the decision to stay in base housing came down to protecting their four kids.

"We like the security factor with the kids," said Mrs. Metheny. "Granted, there are weirdos in the military, too, but it kind of cuts that percentage down."

For Lt. Col. Harry Richter, the promise of maintenance-free living lured him into signing a new lease.

"You're not worried about plumbing or who's fixing this or that," he said. "Those are nice things to not have to worry about."

And for Col. Manuel Hidalgo, the 21st Space Wing's Mission Support Group commander, the decision to move into a new, privatized home was simply a luxury choice.

"It's an outstanding opportunity for us to have 21st century housing instead of 1950s housing," he said. "We're going to have brand new houses with a lot of amenities."

Whatever their reasons, a handful of servicemembers turned out May 9 to sign new leases with Tierra Vista Communities, the company in charge of Peterson's move to privatized housing. Dozens more servicemembers and their families came to the event to listen to a presentation about the lease and talk to Tierra Vista representatives.

Bob Mathis, asset manager for Tierra Vista, said the new leases will be almost identical to the current Air Force housing agreement but will contain a few new provisions, such as guaranteed maintenance response times, meant to help residents.

Residents currently living on base will also have the advantage of being grandfathered in on some policies, so new terms, such as pet deposits, won't affect them, Mr. Mathis said.

"We're very confident that these agreements are similar to what you're experiencing right now with a few additions that are to your benefit," Mr. Mathis told audience members.

Families living on base must decide by this summer whether they want to continue living on base after Tierra Vista takes over housing management in July.

The transfer of authority will mean a major overhaul for housing on Peterson, with the demolition of all existing housing except for 15 units, which will be renovated. In their place, Tierra Vista will erect 723 new homes along with a new community center, maintenance facility and several parks and trails.

The new units will be larger than most of the houses currently on base and feature amenities such as porches, free lawn maintenance and $20,000 insurance policies.

But some who attended the lease signing said they're undecided about whether to stay. Several people voiced concerns that privatization on other bases has led to problems, and they're afraid the same thing will happen here.

Mr. Mathis said those concerns are unfounded and promised that Tierra Vista will work hard to keep people in base housing.

"We realize that you have a choice," he said. "You don't have to live on base housing, and if we don't live up to your expectations, you'll vote with your feet. So we're going to work extra hard to go above and beyond your expectations."

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