Ribbon cutting celebrates opening of Reece Crossings

By Brandon BieltzJune 26, 2014

Ribbon cutting celebrates opening of Reece Crossings
Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley and Paul Cramer, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Housing and Partnerships, sit on stage during the Reece Crossings grand opening on June 18. The complex is the Army's first apartment co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (June 26, 2014) -- The first three buildings and clubhouse of Corvias Military Living's Reece Crossings officially opened June 18 during a ceremony outside the complex.

"Today we look to expand the number of residents living on the installation by opening the first residential community in our Army dedicated for single, unaccompanied junior-enlisted service members," said Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley. "Reece Crossings will ultimately provide a high-quality and modern living experience for 816 service members."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony opened the first phase of the $72 million project, which includes the construction of 14 total buildings that will feature 432 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Last week's event was attended by Paul D. Cramer, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Housing and Partnerships; Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey S. Hartless, command sergeant major of Installation Management Command; and John Picerne, founder and CEO of Corvias Group.

"What you see before you today are only buildings, and the reality is anybody can build buildings," Picerne said. "The question is, how do you convert buildings into something more than just buildings? And that's what we're here to do. Starting today, as we open and cut that ribbon, our goal and our success looks like turning buildings into a community."

Located on the corner of Cooper Avenue and Mapes Road, Reece Crossings is the Army's first apartment complex for unaccompanied, junior-enlisted service members of ranks E-1 to E-5.

The entire complex is scheduled to be completed in early 2017.

"When completed, Reece Crossings will be home to over 800 unaccompanied, junior-enlisted men and women, providing apartments and amenities specifically designed to meet the needs and demands of today's military lifestyle," said Scott Kotwas, program manager for Corvias. "This community offers service members the opportunity to live on post, close to their community, work and training resources."

Each of the garden-style apartments features a large kitchen with a breakfast bar, full-size appliances, a spacious living room and laundry room.

One-bedroom apartments are 1,081 square feet with a den, while two-bedroom apartments are 1,141 square feet.

Service members will have private suites that includes a bathroom and walk-in closet. Ultimately, all apartments will be furnished with a sofa, media cabinet, bar stools, desk and queen-size bed.

Reece Crossings' clubhouse features weight-lifting and fitness rooms, a clubroom with multiple flat-screen televisions, a cyber cafe, basketball and volleyball courts, a 1-mile running trail, lap pool and outdoor grilling.

"It is only right that we offer housing that's commensurate for the service that is given to our nation," Cramer said.

Reece Crossings' central location provides close access to installation services including the Exchange, Gaffney Fitness Center and Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center.

Foley said the opening of Reece Crossings is another milestone in the installation's partnership with Corvias Military Living.

"The garrison and Corvias team work hand-in-hand every day to ensure that all 9,622 residents on this installation have the very best possible homes to live in and community recreation facilities to enjoy," Foley said during the grand opening.

Last week's ceremony was held just a few hundred feet from the installation's former bachelor housing. Picerne said Reece Crossings is a step forward for military housing.

"That's today, that's tomorrow," he said. "We all here opt for tomorrow, and through that tomorrow it should look more like this. And this is what our junior service members deserve to be living in."

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