Dover housing to claim award

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFPN) --  The 436th Civil Engineer Squadron housing management team here and the civilian partners of Pinnacle and Hunt Development Group were selected as the 2007 Professional Housing Management Association Outstanding Housing Installation Team Award winners and are scheduled to receive the award Jan. 31 in Denver.

Cost and environmental savings were considered in every aspect of the award.

"(Throughout this project,) they recycled everything," said Ray Couey, the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron housing and base-asset manager. "Bricks and concrete were crushed and used in the paving of roads and as filling where needed. All the old siding, shingles, sinks and other bathroom fixtures and the wood framing were sold to be recycled.

"Even the trees they had to cut down were turned into mulch and some of it was returned to this project for use," Mr. Couey said. "Old appliances were donated to Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations like churches."

The construction project is projected to be complete in 2009, Mr. Couey said.

As a wrecking ball shatters the last of Dover Air Force Base's old housing, the fresh-paint smell still lingers on many new base homes.

"At project completion, the 212 homes constructed in 2004 and 2005 will be joined by 768 new homes, making Dover AFB the first base in Air Mobility Command to have all-new housing," he said.

One thing that makes the houses nice, is the added amenities, said Phil Weis, Pinnacle's community director.

"All new homes have garages, no less than two full baths and energy-efficient appliances," Mr. Weis said. "Servicemembers are no longer responsible for their snow removal or landscaping (unless their yard is fenced in). This service is taken care of by the property manager, leaving more time for the member to spend quality time with the family."

"The competitiveness of the nominations signifies first-class leadership and innovative thinking in the Air Force," said Robert Moore, the Air Force Asset Management and Operations Division deputy chief. "Their relentless drive, energy and thirst for success set the standard for excellence."

"Our commitment to a strong partnership program was a key factor in our selection as the winner of this award," Mr. Couey said.

(Charlotte Kraenzle contributed to this article)

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