Fort Drum seeks to build 550 new homes

[unhappycamper]

Fort Drum seeks to build 550 new homes
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Apr 3, 2008 6:23:57 EDT

FORT DRUM, N.Y. — Fort Drum is asking the Pentagon for the go-ahead to build more new homes than previously planned to handle the continued growth of the 10th Mountain Division at the northern New York Army post.

Congress already agreed to spend $75 million for 320 new homes, but the addition of a new support brigade has Fort Drum officials asking for $75 million more to build 554 in all.

The office of the Secretary of Defense and Army officials are reviewing the development plan, which is subject to approval by the Office of Management and Budget. A decision could come in May or early June, Fort Drum spokesman Benjamin Abel said Wednesday.

With the addition of the new brigade and the Army’s expansion plans, Fort Drum will add 1,500 troops by 2013. To accommodate the growth, Fort Drum is building 845 new homes and four community centers as well as renovating nearly 2,300 other homes.

Under an Army plan released in December, Fort Drum was selected as home to one of eight so-called “Maneuver Enhancement Brigades.” The brigades provide support for combat troops through communications, engineering, explosive ordnance disposal, military police, chemical, air defense and civil affairs duties.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_drumhousing_040208/