LITTLE ROCK — In a bipartisan move, Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., has joined with Sen. Saxby Chambliss, RGa., to investigate the problems with housing construction at Little Rock Air Force Base and other military bases around the country.
"He (Pryor) became aware of it back in August during recess," said Lisa Ackerman, Pryor's press secretary. "He was on the base then and that's when he decided to do more."
The report will include a list of projects in default or behind schedule as well as the reasons and will also propose fixes to the various problems so that the construction projects can be completed.
"The housing delay adversely affects the quality of life we want for our airmen ... and their families," Pryor said. "We must get to the bottom of the problem, fix it and make sure it never happens again. This investigation will do just that."
American Eagle Communities was awarded the contract for the housing at Little Rock Air Force Base in 2004, but no work has been done since May 7. The contract called for 468 new homes to be built and 732 homes remodeled, but only 25 homes were completed.
American Eagle was expected by this year to have slightly more than 530 homes remodeled and 122 new homes. In the past three years only three homes have been renovated and only 25 new homes have been built.
LRAFB was not the only base caught up in the troubles, with bases in Georgia, Florida and Massachusetts all having similar problems.
"I am pleased our colleagueshave joined us in requesting this report," Chambliss said. "We need to take a good look at this situation and get to the bottom of the factors and decisions that contributed to the Air Force awarding this contract to ensure it does not happen again ... we need to ensure that it is resolved as quickly as possible."
Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga., explains Chambliss' interest. That base had its housing project for 1,000 new personnel stopped in March because of financial problems.
The project at Little Rock is at least two years behind schedule and those at the base are also unhappy.
"The project is nearly two years behind schedule and construction has been halted since April of 2007 due to contractor financing issues," said base commander Brig. Gen. Wayne Schatz. "Their performance has been poor to state the obvious. Taking care of our airmen and their families is one ofthe Air Force leadership's top three priorities, second only to winning the Global War On Terror. Our Airmen deserve good quality housing so they can focus on winning the war instead of worrying about the house where their spouses and children are living."
The report was approved asan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act now under consideration by the Senate.
"It could pass this week," Ackerman said. "It could pass next week, but it should pass and then we can go from there." - jpeppas @arkansasonline.com
Three Rivers, Pages 119 on 10/07/2007