Invaluable partnership leads to innovative solution

  • Published
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Team Offutt officials were recently faced with the challenge of finding alternate residences for 270 service members as Whiteman Hall prepared to undergo badly needed repairs and renovations.

In response, a partnership developed between Offutt leadership and America First Real Estate Group's Rising View Communities, the privatized housing at Offutt AFB, to provide Temporary Lodging Facilities at Rising View.

Col. Andrea D. Tullos, 55th Mission Support Group commander, and John Kundinger, 55th Mission Support Group deputy director, approached Dora Stuch, Rising View Communities regional director, with a proposal to accommodate the displaced members from Whiteman Hall into vacant homes in their Three South housing area, an area slated for demolition.

The Three South housing area had approximately 75 occupied homes out of approximately 300, most of which are two and three bedroom homes. The homes had been unoccupied for some time in anticipation of eventual demolition. Many of the homes were brought up to living standards with a small investment of paint, carpet and new appliances.

Rising View's staff, the base Housing Management Office and mission support group leadership came together and sent the proposal to Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, 55th Wing commander, for his approval.

"This is a great solution to assist our displaced Airmen while Whiteman Hall is being renovated," Bacon said. "This is an example of the outstanding partnership Team Offutt has with the leaders at Rising View. The real goal is to ensure we provide the best quality of life for our airmen, and this proposal does just that."

After receiving Bacon's approval, Rising View staff held two town-hall meetings for dorm members. The first town-hall was conducted in January, where more than 220 members showed up. The prospective residents were given a presentation that included photos of the 1,200 square foot homes that would be occupied by two members.

"The size is much better," said Airman 1st Class Ellen Henkemeyer, a member of the 55th Maintenance Group and new Rising View resident. "I think having a full kitchen is my favorite part though."

By moving into the Three South housing area, members received free utilities, renters insurance and lawn care. Residents are required to remove snow from driveways and sidewalks.

While some members were offered the choice of living in the Rising View privatized housing community or on the economy, a large percentage chose Rising View. A couple of benefits that made staying in the rising view houses more attractive were the one-year leases with military-friendly release clauses and no security deposits.

Team Offutt First Sergeants partnered with Rising View to screen members for relocation. Members are required to follow the same rules and policies regarding pets, smoking, weapons and alcohol as those established in the dormitories.

The first members moved into their new homes Feb. 28 and Rising View staff assisted in the relocation process by extending office hours in order to accommodate mission critical schedules.

The first and second phase of 20 homes each is complete with phase three starting and projected to be complete in early May.

"The resounding success of the ongoing relocation of dormitory residents to Rising View's Three South privatized housing community can only be attributed to the continued excellent partnership that has been established between the Rising View staff, Brig. Gen. Bacon, Col. Tullos and Mark Jacobsen, 55th Civil Engineer Squadron director, and their staff," Stuch said.

If you are a dorm resident at Whiteman Hall and would like more information, contact the Rising View Leasing Office at (402) 991-9840 or visit their website at www.risingview.com.