Housing replacement program moves forward Published Dec. 13, 2006 By Jeanette White Military Family Housing EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The first phase of Edwards' housing replacement program is well underway. Progress can be seen everyday as slabs are poured, framing goes up and even some roofs and windows are appearing on the 55 homes being built in Mesquite Meadows for junior enlisted personnel.The 33 four-bedroom single units and 22 two-bedroom units are scheduled to be completed in February 2007 and feature modern floor plans, air conditioning, double-car garages, double-glazed windows, energy efficient appliances and other modern amenities. Families displaced by construction have been moved from Mesquite Meadows to newer homes in Mountain View or Joshua Acres. The remaining Mesquite Meadows residents are not in the footprint of future construction; however, those houses are scheduled for demolition in the next fiscal year, and each resident is being called by Housing Office personnel and offered a move to another area if they are not planning to move on orders between now and December 2006. A fence has also gone up around Tamarisk Plains, marking the next step in Edwards' housing plan. All Residents displaced by construction in Tamarisk Plains have been moved to newer homes in Mountain View or Joshua Acres. Demolition and construction in this area is divided between two separate projects. The current program, funded with fiscal year 2005 funds, will bring demolition of 67 houses in Tamarisk Plains and new homes will be constructed in their place. Construction will occur in two phases and will create two distinct new areas, with 36 senior noncommissioned officer units and 13 field grade officer units on the west (Palo Verde Heights), and 60 company grade officer units on the east (Tamarisk Plains). These units are scheduled to be complete in September 2007. The two areas will be separated by a large open area that will eventually become a community play area with a variety of walking paths, playgrounds, gazebos and other amenities conducive to community functions. The housing construction project funded with fiscal year 2006 funds is currently at Air Force awaiting reprogramming approval, thus time frames for demolition and construction will not be known until the project is awarded. This is expected to occur by December 2006. This project will complete the Tamarisk Plains area with demolition of 32 houses and then construction of six Prestige (chief master sergeant) Units and 61 field grade officer units on the west side of Tamarisk Plains. It will also incorporate the northern section of existing Palo Verde Heights and 39 company grade officer units on the east side of Tamarisk Plains. If approved, construction of these units is estimated to run from October 2007 through June 2008. To prepare for demolition of houses in Palo Verde Heights, all new assignments to that area have been stopped. Current residents will eventually be moved to Pacific Winds, as the housing office is trying to keep members residing on base from having to move downtown. Those forced to move are authorized government-paid moves, even if they choose to move downtown. Because these houses will not be reassigned, those moving out will have reduced cleaning requirements. The exception to demolition in Palo Verde Heights is the renovation of 21 units, homes of the Air Force Flight Test Center commander and senior officers. Members residing in those units will eventually be moved temporarily into new field grade units while the older units are upgraded to meet modern Air Force standards. The expected time frame for renovation is November 2007 through April 2008.