Fort Polk housing changing, building better futures for Soldiers, Families

Photo By Chuck Cannon | This is a picture of a Fort Polk home after Corvias renovations.... read more read more

Photo By Chuck Cannon | This is a picture of a Fort Polk home after Corvias renovations.  see less | View Image Page

FORT POLK, LA, UNITED STATES

02.28.2020

Story by Chuck Cannon 

Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office

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FORT POLK, La. — Fort Polk housing is a top priority for Fort Polk’s command — a quality of life initiative that impacts Soldier and Family Readiness. Issues with military housing have prompted congressional hearings and headlines in news media across the country.
Changes and improvements have been implemented on Fort Polk, including inspections of all housing, to include barracks, and an infusion of millions of dollars for renovations and construction of 70 new homes.
This is the result of a partnership between the Army, Fort Polk and Corvias — a privatized development, construction and property management company.
Housing Assistance Office
Providing government oversight for all Fort Polk housing is the Housing Assistance Office run by Betty Beinkemper, Fort Polk Garrison’s housing manager. Oversite includes: Barracks, Corvias Family housing, InterContinental Hotels Group (privatized lodging on the installation) and concerns Soldiers and Families may encounter when renting off the installation.
“We are the advocate for Soldiers and Families on and off the installation when it comes to housing issues with Corvias, local real estate agents and more,” she said.
Beinkemper said no matter how difficult the situation, their first priority is Fort Polk’s Soldiers and Families.
“Though there are good things happening with housing, there are also some issues we must step in to correct. For example, if there is a problem in housing and the Family hasn’t seen any satisfaction from Corvias, then it’s our job to rectify the situation That can mean small difficulties like an uncompleted work order to something that affects life, health or safety,” she said.
Beinkemper said the concerns she sees on a daily basis aren’t any different than those on other installations.
“We will get complaints about noise or animals loose in the neighborhood, but we don’t see major issues as often. When we do have an issue, we are quick to mediate with Corvias and resolve it as soon as possible to ensure the Family’s quality of life is where it should be,” she said.
Beinkemper said one of her goals is to clear the way for military Families moving to Fort Polk to make their transition smooth.
“Often, as soon as they get their household goods delivered, the Soldier is headed to the box for training. I want them to have the best home that we (Corvias and Army housing as a partnership that works together) can provide for them,” she said.
“A Soldier that comes to Fort Polk knows that he is going to be busy. We need to offer the Soldier peace of mind to know that he and his Family are living in a safe and adequate home. That should be the last thing our Soldiers worry about while training for the mission.”
As part of the effort to provide the best housing for Soldiers and Family members, Beinkemper said there are new construction projects occurring on the installation to the tune of $155 million.
“That money will be used for new homes, renovations and eventually all the roads will be paved in the housing areas. That’s a huge plus for the residents. Currently Corvias is working on exterior renovations such as new roofs, painting and gutters. The next phase will be the demolition of older homes and construction of new homes,” she said. “It’s going to be a process but we are going to get there.”
The first phase of the project began in Dogwood Terrace. The second phase (the biggest) takes place in Palmetto Terrace.
“Palmetto is one of the oldest housing areas on post. We are going to take the majority of that neighborhood down and rebuild it, she said.
Beinkemper said Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk commanding general, was instrumental in bringing the right people to the installation to make it happen.
“He has been a huge housing advocate. He is here for the Soldiers and their Families,” she said.
Corvias
Danny Bartlett, Corvias Property Management facilities director, said Corvias provides Fort Polk with property management and housing construction services.
“What that means — at least the property management portion — is we work with the residents by finding them a home when they are coming to Fort Polk. We take care of their maintenance needs while they are living here and when they are moving out we try to help make the process as easy as we can. It think that gives people a good picture of what we do,” he said.
Corvias, also provides maintenance of homes with pest control, trash and lawn mowing services.
Bartlett said even though Corvias manages and maintains many homes on Fort Polk, when issues arise they take each case personally and try to make sure residents are happy with the outcome.
“I meet with many residents on a one-on-one basis or I’ll give them a phone call to discuss the issue to try to come up with the best decision for both Corvias and that resident,” he said.
Bartlett said it’s an exciting time for Corvias housing.
“We are in the middle of a $15 million project. That’s going toward 526 exterior renovations in Dogwood Terrace alone. Another 620 renovations are taking place in Maple Terrace. The renovations include new roofs, exterior paint, new trim, gutters and more. It’s a complete facelift of the property and these homes will look brand new when they are done,” he said.
In addition to the renovations, Bartlett said they were doing almost three and a half miles of road paving.
“Part of the paving is already completed in Palmetto Terrace (Bellrichard Avenue and Magnolia Street). Then we are going to pave all of Holmlund Street in Dogwood and move to Maple Terrace to pave Riverton Drive and Pendleton Drive,” he said.
This is just the start. Moving into phase two, Bartlett said there is twice as much money — $39 million. He said this money is very close to being approved by the Army.
“Upon final approval, that money will see transformations continue. The plan is to tear down some of the older homes and replace them with new homes. We will build 70 new homes. We will also replace about $500,000 worth of appliances. We have $350,000 set aside for tree trimming and landscaping projects and six more miles of roads. Finally, there will be 192 exterior renovations that will complete the work in Maple Terrace,” he said. “The reality is we are changing the face of what Fort Polk looks like. It’s going to have a major impact.”
Bartlett said phase three — which also has to have final approval — is a concept that Corvias has worked on with the general and garrison commander. “We have agreed to the scope of the project, but, if approved, will come after the $39 million project,” he said. “If we can get the green light on everything, our schedule to complete is probably by 2025.”
Bartlett said between property management, upgrades and new construction, it’s his opinion Corvias plays a large role in Soldier’s and Family member’s quality of life.
“I think it’s our job to provide the best homes that we possibly can to make them comfortable while they are here. You can’t say or do enough for the quality of life of the Soldiers that are out there putting themselves on the line for us each day,” he said.
Bartlett said Corvias tries to help Families of deployed Soldiers with additional services such as a “honey do” program and giving them priority on work orders.
“We try to make it easier on that Family however we can. Again, providing the best quality of life is what we strive for,” he said.
A military Family
The Connolly Family has lived in Dogwood Terrace for two years. The military Family is comprised of Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Connelly, his spouse Tabitha and their children Sabrina, 7 and Christopher, 2. Tabitha said living in Fort Polk housing has been a positive experience for her Family.“It’s an older home, but it’s in good shape and I absolutely love how much space I have in my laundry room. It’s humongous,” she said.
“And I love our neighborhood and neighbors,” she said. “All of our kids play together. Military Families move all the time and that can be difficult, so having those connections is wonderful. Living in a housing neighborhood like this really improves my Family’s quality of life because it helps make us happy.”
But even in the best of homes, problems arise. Connolly said Feb. 24 was one of those times.
“One of our toilets broke and there was water everywhere. I called the Corvias emergency maintenance number at 8 p.m. They got to my house, replaced the old toilet with a new one and were gone by 9:30 p.m. I was impressed that they fixed it so quickly,” she said.
Connolly said she also loved that maintenance — without prompting from her — came to her house, tilled her backyard and put down seed so that she would have a beautiful, weed free lawn.
“I was so impressed by that. That hasn’t happened at any other post we have lived at,” she said.
For more information on housing renovations as they happen, watch for future editions of the Guardian.