Contractors install a new gutter on a home in the Chestnut Glen community Oct. 30, 2023. Knox Hills and Lendlease officials said they have completed about 50% of renovations in the Chestnut Glen community and will be starting next in the Prichard Place community.

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Knox Hills continues to set its sights on improving the quality of life of on-post residents.

Armed with the solid backing and encouragement of officials from the Fort Knox Housing Division and Garrison leaders, Knox Hills officials say they remain committed to improving housing in a myriad of ways.

“We have a housing partner that is focused on renovations, improving safety, improving quality of life inside the homes,” said Jim Bradford, Fort Knox Garrison deputy commander.

Bradford said quality housing is one of four pillars from which Garrison leaders built upon quality-of-life issues: the other three being childcare, medical and health services, and spouse employment.

“Within that housing pillar, we cannot be successful if we don’t have the support from the Soldiers’ leadership and a great partnership with our housing partner,” said Bradford. “We are fortunate here at Fort Knox that we have both.”

Knox Hills’ strategic housing renovation plans over the past few years have only strengthened that partnership. Those plans are fairly straight forward, according to Katie Huff, Knox Hills project director with parent company Lendlease.

A contractor cuts in with a fresh coat of paint in one of the housing units at Chestnut Glen.

“Our focus has been on high-impacted areas that required immediate attention and improvement including interior renovations in our Chestnut Glen neighborhood,” said Huff, “in which we have completed 50% of the planned nearly 460 renovations and updating appliances in over 800 homes across Knox Hills, in which we are 70% complete.”

Huff said today’s strategy wasn’t always clearcut.

“When the [3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division] at Fort Knox was deactivated [May 21, 2014], we did have to reevaluate our strategy,” she said. “[We] focused on maintaining and growing our occupancy. That led to strategic conversations about sustainment, to include renovating our existing inventory.”

Knox Hills received a boost in 2020 when their outyear reinvestment fund was approved for release; that money has been used to complete renovations through to this year. That same year, COVID affected how renovations would be accomplished, but it didn’t stop Knox Hills from accomplishing the work.

The units are getting new windows that are energy-efficient to save on costs.

“Our $24 million outyear development plan started in 2019 with slated completion for this year,” Huff said. “Currently, we are 90% complete and anticipate finishing the remaining scope by December 2023.”

A year later, Knox Hills found out they would be receiving additional money through the Army Integrated Outyear Development Plan, which consolidated funds   of Lendlease’s projects across its portfolio of seven installations and then prioritized how much each would receive based on needs.

“The additional $76 million development plan that is currently underway started in 2021,” said Huff. “To date, we are 40% complete and anticipate having this scope of work complete by the end of 2025.”

While there has been the occasional hiccup in plans from time to time, Fort Knox Housing Division director Mary Ellen Correia said Knox Hills has proven steady in delivering quality housing to installation residents.

“During the housing event and through the pandemic, Knox Hills LLC and Lendlease continue to lead the way as the premier privatized housing partner,” said Correia. “They truly understand the unique needs of the Soldiers and families, as many of their staff are veterans, reservists, guardsmen, spouses and children of Soldiers.

“They strive to take care of families so Soldiers can focus on their mission.”

Huff said the annual Army Tenant Satisfaction Survey and regular feedback from Knox Hills’ Resident Advisory Board, Lendlease's Customer Satisfaction survey, and SatisFacts all help in understanding key issues. The tools have reflected consistently positive overall results while identifying more specific areas of opportunity.

“We have been able to identify and better understand the needs of our residents and neighborhoods,” said Huff. “Items such as new roads, updated appliances, new roofs and gutter guards were items that came up in our strategy sessions for development work needed in Chestnut Glen. We have completed the planned road repairs and roof replacements and are 50% complete with gutter replacements to include gutter guards as well as interior renovations and updated appliances.”

Knox Hills officials also regularly meet with leaders at Fort Knox to discuss any concerns they may have and possible changes in plans that help to keep them aligned with changing issues.

“With any development projects, timing can shift slightly, however our primary focus remains on safety, quality and enhancing the overall experience of our residents through this important work and we are proud of the progress made to date,” said Huff. “Renovations of existing homes have been our primary focus and allowed us to continue taking care of our current and incoming residents here at Fort Knox.”

As they work to improve existing homes in Chestnut Glen with plans to start work on Prichard Place by the end of the year, Huff said they keep an eye out for any potential new construction opportunities, should they arise.

“All areas on our footprint are reviewed for development opportunities and weighted against existing housing needs by the installation,” said Huff: “troop strength being a primary example.”

A contractor sands the drywall in preparation for applying paint to a housing unit.

Prichard Place construction will include new siding, windows, doors and floors throughout as well as Energy Star-rated appliances, upgraded kitchen countertops and cabinets, and HVAC and water heater replacements as needed. Huff said some residents will be getting another upgrade.

“Part of the investment in Prichard Place also includes adding a fourth bedroom to the three-bedroom homes,” said Huff. “We are currently in the design phase of that renovation.”

Huff maintains that all of their efforts are intended for one purpose: to serve the needs of the residents of Fort Knox.

“Through our combined approximately $100 million investment that is currently underway,” said Huff, “we are able to continue improving our neighborhoods and ensure we are meeting the needs of our service members today and in the future.”

Bradford agreed, adding that there’s still more to be done.

“We are endeavoring to improve what we have,” said Bradford. “However, we are not sitting on our laurels by not asking the Army and our housing partners to do even more, whether that’s increased housing – building more – or spending more in renovating and upgrading where we can.”