FORT BELVOIR, Va. - The last time Sgt. 1st Class Brian Murphy set foot in Woodlawn Village was eight years ago. A lot has changed since then.
Murphy, a first platoon sergeant with the Old Guard Bravo Company at Fort Myer, left Belvoir in 2002 for a deployment to Hawaii. He returned with his wife, Terri, and their four children in June 2009 to post housing at Vernondale Village - located just across the street from DeWitt Army Community Hospital.
Life was moving along for the family when Murphy said he received a phone call a few weeks back from Julie Devine, community manager for The Villages at Belvoir. She asked if he would be interested in upgrading from a duplex to a newly renovated, five-bedroom home - back at Woodlawn Village.
The first major renovations at Woodlawn were just completed - 10 months after the decision was made to upgrade the village as a whole, according to officials. Besides interior upgrades like new carpeting and energy-efficient appliances, exterior improvements include new roofing, windows and siding. Homes also have new infrastructure, like HVAC, lighting and cabling.
Thinking back on his first stay in housing, Murphy admits to being a little hesitant. Housing was small and he said conditions left a lot to be desired. Still, he agreed to meet with Devine and at least take a look at what was available. He's sure glad he did.
"The Woodlawn Village I remember was not like this. The change is incredible," Murphy said enthusiastically. "When my wife and I did a walk-through of our new home, our jaws just dropped. A large kitchen with hardwood floors; a big, grass backyard; a balcony off the master bedroom. We couldn't believe how much was being offered. We took it on the spot."
Murphy said his new home also has large walk-in closets, a laundry room, a specially designed computer space with shelves and a two-car garage. Another added feature is an outside patio with an additional storage closet. With so much to like, Murphy's wife said it's hard to single out any one particular area.
"Though, having a kitchen with hardwood floors is really, really nice," she said smiling. "It's wonderful to see the Army taking care of its Soldiers and families this way."
Her husband couldn't agree more. When he found out about some of the other amenities at Woodlawn, like its free pool and neighborhood and fitness center, the Soldier with two Iraqi tours under his belt knows he made the right choice for his family. Representatives from The Villages at Belvoir are also discussing the possibility of one day adding an AAFES store to the community.
"Unlike before, there are so many reasons to want to live here. I also like the fact that it's not main post. There's not as much congestion and traffic," Murphy said. "Belvoir is building a great, self-sufficient community here. We're very lucky to have this opportunity come our way."
It's now been a little more than a week since Murphy and his family unpacked and settled into their new home on Orchard Lane. In that time, the Philadelphia native jokes that he already has a friend asking about a barbecue this summer and that he's also on a first-name basis at IKEA. Murphy said he also plans on keeping Devine's number on speed dial - for good reason.
"I enjoy working, mentoring and helping Soldiers as much as I can. When I found out another Soldier in my platoon was in the market for quality housing, I put him in touch with Julie," Murphy said. "She came through and found him a great, three bedroom home in Dogue Creek. It's great that we have people who care so much for our Soldiers and families."
Shortly after assuming command at Belvoir two years ago, Installation Commander Col. Jerry Blixt said he initiated efforts to improve conditions at Woodlawn Village. With the right touch, he maintained that Woodlawn could become a premier community.
With the help of everyone at Clark Realty Capital, LLC., in addition to the installation's Directorate of Public Works and Residential Communities Liaison Office, Blixt said that's been accomplished and that these renovations stand as a testament to the Army's commitment of improving the overall quality of life for its Soldiers and families.
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