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NAS Whidbey Island Opens New Family Housing Area

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090619-17
Release Date: 6/19/2009 8:31:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elizabeth Acosta, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island and Forest City Military Communities, LCC celebrated the completion of three residential neighborhoods with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 15.

Navy Region Northwest and Forest City Military Communities, LCC have been partners for one and a half years completing 359 houses for NAS Whidbey Island ahead of schedule.

In addition to the 359 single-family homes built for NAS Whidbey Island Sailors, Forest City also built playgrounds, dog parks, trails and added fences to yards to make it feel more like a community.

"Being in the military housing business is so much more than building houses; it is about building a sense of community. That's what we are really celebrating here today," said Tom Henneberry, president of Forest City Military Communities.

"These communities are a great example of what we want all Navy housing to one day resemble," said Capt. Gerald David, NAS Whidbey Island commanding officer.

The new family homes feature multilevel, as well as single level American with Disabilities Act (ADA) adaptable floor plans, painted in a northwest color palette with fenced backyards.

"Forest City has been a terrific partner in the revitalization of Navy housing and continues to create the vision we hold for Navy communities. It is important that our homes feel well taken care of while stationed at NAS Whidbey," said David.

Forest City has also renovated 109 houses and has torn down many of the outdated housing units. A new community center will be built in the Oriole neighborhood. Groundbreaking is scheduled for August.

For more news from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, visit www.navy.mil/local/naswhidbey/.