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NAVSTA Rota Housing Duplex Conversion Project Begins

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080910-14
Release Date: 9/10/2008 1:54:00 PM

By Lt. Mike Morley, Naval Station Rota Public Affairs

ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Fourteen two-bedroom officer and 24 two-bedroom enlisted housing units in Las Palmeras housing are being converted into 19 four-bedroom units beginning in November, as part of a $1.4 million project designed to help meet demand for four-bedroom units on base.

The project, which began Sept. 1, is the first phase of a six-year master project that will eventually convert all two-bedroom duplexes into four-bedroom units, and complete significant renovations on Las Palmeras three- and four-bedroom units.

Leaders from Rota's Housing Department held a town hall meeting Aug. 27 to discuss the project with families living in the first 38 units, discussing with them their relocation options. Families were given the option to select from available two- or three-bedroom units on base, or to move off-base for the remainder of their time assigned to Rota.

"All of the moves will be conducted by contractors at government expense," said Bob Crist, Rota's Housing director. Housing officials also emphasized that those electing to move off base would also receive the move-in housing allowance of in excess of $1,000 to cover costs such as deposits, and for utility and phone connections. Those selecting another on-base unit would have their phone service transferred without cost.

Residents asked Crist and Naval Station Rota's Commanding Officer, Capt. Bill Mosk, more than a dozen questions about the short notification window for the project, their options for moving and the process for selecting new housing. Mosk also addressed several residents' frustrations about having to move mid-tour.

"'Inconvenience' isn't the right word – we realize this is a major hardship for you – I get that," Mosk told the crowd. "We're doing the best we can to give you good options in a difficult situation. But we must move ahead with this project. We have the money to complete it within a narrow time frame, and though it is painful now, in the long run, our community will be much better for it."

To help ease the hardship, Mosk assured Naval Station Sailors in attendance that they would receive additional liberty time to identify new housing, plus prepare for and execute their moves, and that he would encourage leadership for tenant commands to make similar accommodations. Leaders in attendance from other commands made similar assurances.

"People understand that this project will make family housing at Rota better for decades to come," Crist said, noting that immediately after the meeting several families approached him asking how soon they could move. "We're telling people to take a week, give this a lot of thought, and we will work to meet their preferences."

The conversion project is scheduled for completion on August 2009.

For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit www.navy.mil/local/rota/.