ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Rock Island, Ill. - New housing construction and other important projects on the Rock Island Arsenal has received funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2009.
"ARRA stimulus money has provided $20 million to the Garrison, and has had an immediate impact on Arsenal Island and the local community," said Joel Himsl, Garrison Manager. "One excellent example is the construction of two senior officer quarters on RIA. The work is being done by local construction companies, which helps provide work to members of the community."
Himsl said the new construction shows that ARRA's stated goal of economic growth and job creation are being met on the installation and for the local community.
Marsha Marcellus, engineering technician, Rock Island Arsenal Directorate of Public Works, described the two senior officer quarters as having 2,400 square feet in floor space. Each house is a two-story brick home with four bedrooms, two full bathrooms and an office area located on the second floor. The first floor has an entryway, living room, family room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room, and half bath. The homes have a two-car attached garage and a rear deck off the family room. The exterior brick colors on the homes were chosen to blend in with the surrounding houses.
Marcellus said the homes are designated housing for key military personnel who must reside on the installation due to the nature of their mission.
"It is clear that without the ARRA stimulus package, the construction of these homes would not have been possible, without the stimulus money," said Terry Harris, project manager and liaison to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the construction project. "This project would have been placed on the back burner."
Himsl added that these homes and other projects essential for the success of the Arsenal's mission would not have been possible at the Rock Island Arsenal without ARRA funding. He said repairs to the Moline Bridge and improvement of infrastructure on the installation are examples of projects made possible by the ARRA.
"With the First Army headquarters due to arrive in June, the construction of these homes and other projects are essential," said Himsl.
First Army is moving its headquarters from Fort Gilliam Ga., to the Arsenal, per a directive from the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. The move is expected to take place in June.
The ARRA is an act of Congress, passed on Jan. 6, 2009, designed to stimulate economic growth by providing funds to state and local governments.
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