WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 10, 2005) - Twelve installations have been identified for the initial stage of the Army's $250-million Barracks Improvement Program.

Installations identified to lead the Barracks Improvement Program are: Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Fort Gordon and Fort Stewart, Ga.; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Polk, La., Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Eustis, Va.; and Fort Lewis, Wash.

About $96 million is needed to improve conditions in permanent-party barracks at the 12 installations, an Installation Management Agency official said. He said that would leave about $154 million in the program for later this year to improve living conditions at other posts for single Soldiers living in permanent-party barracks.

"This will make a huge difference in the quality of life for Soldiers," said Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Johnson, director of the Installation Management Agency. "The immediate funding is not intended to fully renovate any barracks - the first priority is to remediate the most serious problems so every Soldier has a safe place to live."

Correcting life, health and safety problems is the primary focus, IMA officials said. Barracks Improvement Program goals also include mold and mildew removal; repairing or replacing damaged heating or air conditioning systems; fixing water leaks; and ensuring all toilets, showers and plumbing are in working condition. Painting of buildings and repair of doors and windows to improve living conditions is planned.

"IMA is uniquely positioned as the single overseer of installations to see that this money gets spent in the right places and for the right things to make a real difference for Soldiers," Johnson said. "The Army has committed about $250 million a year to repair and maintain facilities to make sure they don't fall into disrepair again."

The Army estimates it will cost about $250 million to improve life, health and safety standards in all barracks identified with serious deficiencies.

The Army has focused on improving Soldiers' living standards for more than 10 years, and steadily has been building and modernizing barracks under a $10 billion construction program, an IMA official said. He said the Army has requested $716 million in fiscal 2006 to continue barracks modernization.

(Editor's note: Information taken from an IMA news release.)