Housing town hall meetings set for May 22

  • Published
  • By Airman Ashley J. Cass
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Officials from Balfour Beatty Communities, LLC will host two town hall meetings at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., May 22 at the base theater, to provide Airmen and their families with information about base housing privatization and upcoming changes.

Base housing privatization involves an agreement between the government and a business corporation that typically entails constructing new and enhancing existing family housing areas on military installations.

BBC will be taking over the government's role of the ownership, management, maintenance and construction of the houses in Prairie View Estates, Rushmore Heights and the future Black Hills Estates, according to Jim English, the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron housing facilities chief.

"Once we privatize, residents will be required to pay rent to BBC from their basic allowance for housing," said English, if Airmen intend to live in these areas.

Cindy Murillo, a BBC area property manager, and a BBC construction representative will be providing information about the construction of more than 200 new homes on base, operations and rules and other pertinent information at both town hall meetings, English said.

English said the town hall meetings will include time for general questions and answers, and BBC agents will be available after the meetings to talk with residents.

Current and prospective residents in Rushmore Heights and Prairie View Estates will be able to sign leases during sessions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 29, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 30 and 31, in the Dakotas conference room.

The lease signings at the Dakotas will allow prospective residents and their families to review and sign addendums and leases. Residents who currently live in the affected areas will be required to either sign a lease or move out before the projected privatization date of Aug. 1, 2012.

For more information and to review the lease, Airmen and their families can visit the BBC website at www.ellsworthfamilyhousing.com.