The
United States Treaty with Panama called for the stand down
of US Forces by 31 December 1999. United States Army Southern
Command (USARSO) and Army SOC South forces had been ordered
to Puerto Rico. Combined, both increased the military population
there by 1250. In 2003 USARSO was ordered off the island.
Windmill
Development Co. holds an executed Agreement Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with Ft. Buchanan Puerto Rico under
the housing Set Aside Program. The Set Aside Program allows
for rental housing to military members at reduced government
rates.
DiGeronimo
PA designed modular homes and planned a military oriented
community for 400 families. Sited near Fort Buchanan, this
effort is part of a privatization initiative. Modular houses
shipped to the port of San Juan, could be erected within
6 months.
The
planning design provides for an all military community of
400 housing units for rental to ranks E4 to O6 at the Basic
Allowance for Housing (BAH). The military member pays utilities
from the government utility allowance. The entire program
is run at no cost to the Government and no out of pocket
expense to the military member. Military members including
active duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard,
rent DiGeronimo PA Housing voluntarily. Units default to
market rate if unoccupied by military members. The MOU is
for 50 years with two 25 year renewable options.
DiGeronimo
PA is the planner and architect for this innovative project.
