<strong>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</strong> - About 75 Hannam Village residents met with Garrison officials Jan. 6 to discuss a major renovation project set to begin soon.
Hannam Village is a housing area for American families working at nearby Yongsan Garrison. The Korea National Housing Corporation owns the buildings on Hannam Village and leases them to the U.S. Army.
KNHC is set to invest millions of dollars into an 18-month project to completely renovate the Hannam Village Towers. In 2006, the Army vacated three towers and consolidated residents in Building I. The plan calls for a phased construction project that will target the vacant buildings first.
"The good news is this will give us 264 sets of brand-new quarters," said U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Commander Col. Dave Hall. "But, we're going to have to take the bad with the good. I'm talking about the additional noise and construction traffic."
Hall encouraged residents to be flexible during the construction project set to begin Jan. 12.
"The Korea National Housing Corporation did a business plan and found that they would be able to get a return on their investment within three years," Hall said. "We're not spending a dime. This is a win-win situation for us."
Residents can expect to see construction from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday during the entire project. The contractor will restrict heavy vehicle traffic 7-8 a.m. and 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. to accommodate school traffic.
"We will do everything we can to mitigate risk and ensure the contractor meets stringent safety guidelines," Hall explained to the residents. "We still have to look at issues like parking, AAFES facilities and other support functions that will apply to an increased population."
Garrison Public Work Director Chuck Markham said fences will be put up around three of the high-rises before construction begins in mid-January. Officials asked Hannam Village residents to remove vehicles from around the construction sites no later than Jan. 12. The initial work will occur at Buildings G, H, and J.
Garrison officials said the new quarters would offer more room, better facilities and a higher quality of life.
Hall said the Garrison would look into conducting an "open house" with the model quarters to show residents the expected results of the renovation. There will also be another resident's meeting 6 p.m. Feb. 3 at the new Hannam Village Community Center above the Commissary.
"It all comes back to the Army Family Covenant," Hall said. "We are committed to providing our Families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive."
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