Town hall meeting highlights construction of 1,067 new homes Published Feb. 14, 2007 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- New, improved military family housing is on the horizon for Keesler, according to an overview given at a town hall meeting Feb. 6 in Welch Auditorium. Mobilization is under way through March to prepare for the largest military housing construction project in Air Force history -- as many as 1,067 units at a cost of $287.8 million. Housing officials said the project includes a wide range of neighborhood enhancements, including tot-lots, playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic shelters, lighted hiking and biking paths, improved street lighting and additional off-street parking. Brick signs and impasse fencing are featured at neighborhood entryways. All homes have three or four bedrooms and meet or exceed benchmark square footage standards for all floor plans. The units have two-year warranties, low maintenance exteriors, large trash enclosures, garages and photo-cell lighted house numbers. The project begins with a March 30 groundbreaking ceremony in Thrower Park, where 208 units are being built for junior enlisted members. The first home is scheduled for delivery in December. In June, building of 138 junior enlisted units begins in Northwest Falcon Park. In September, construction starts on 206 homes for officers and senior noncommissioned officers in Bay Ridge. In 2008, construction begins in March for 352 junior enlisted homes, and in December for an additional 135 homes in Bay Ridge for officers and chief master sergeants. The target date for completion of the project is January 2010.