MVC team works behind scenes, makes housing ready

By Gabrielle KuholskiJune 7, 2013

usa image
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Darren Hall, Make Ready Team laborer, paints the fence that encloses the back yard of the Sanford House along the historic row of homes. Repainting the white picket fences is one of many projects the MRT takes on for the maintenance and landscaping o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Huachuca, AZ. - When it comes to residential maintenance and landscaping, Mountain Vista Communities, or MVC, has a secret weapon -- the Make Ready Team, or MRT.

"We paint, mow lawns and fix houses; we pretty much do everything," said Shane Moncayo, MRT laborer. "We're the 'go-to guys.'"

The team includes 10 technicians, who also work on service orders requested by residents; five laborers, who assist the technicians when needed; and five landscapers, who maintain all common areas throughout housing in addition to front and side yards.

The MRT takes care of standard maintenance items in occupied housing, such as fixing faucet leaks, broken garbage disposals and other plumbing needs. Repairs are made inside of vacant homes for future Families. According to Jolene Cooper, MVC marketing outreach coordinator, the team follows strict deadlines so community members are not inconvenienced with delays, noise and detours.

"When working on a vacant home, the deadline is two weeks to make any repairs to the home so it is 'move-in' ready for the next Family," Cooper said.

This two-week project includes cleaning the entire house; painting walls as needed; waxing the floors; inspecting plumbing; landscaping; caulking; and repairing damages to the walls and doors, if necessary.

For MRT employees, residential maintenance means more than fixing broken garbage disposals and cleaning carpets. They are the reason the picket fences along the historic row of homes stay white and the reason playground equipment remains safe for children.

"A technician is assigned to a specific park or playground and inspects it daily," Cooper explained.

In this case, playground repairs can be made, if needed, while the landscapers assist with the upkeep, so each location looks attractive.

Adding to the scenery, landscapers will plant new trees and shrubs when others have been damaged, or when properties are receiving upgrades. Last year, the landscapers planted Chinese pistache and western redbud trees along the front of Henry Circle. When mature, each tree should provide a shaded canopy of about 20 feet.

In the future, MVC hopes to keep the Make Ready Team busy with new repairs and landscape additions. For more information, contact the MVC Maintenance Office, 458.5885.