Progress continues on Tobyhanna Army Depot’s new Army Family Housing development, as the project moves from site preparation into full-scale construction.
First announced in 2023, the Cadence Communities at Tobyhanna project plans to deliver 35 new homes designed to support warfighters and their families assigned to the installation. While early phases focused on planning and infrastructure, there has been a recent shift toward visible construction.
According to Tobyhanna’s Family Housing and Barracks Manager Colleen Gavin, site preparation is nearly complete.
“Approximately 99% of the underground work and site prep is complete,” said Gavin. “The only thing we have left to do for site prep is finish up underground mechanicals.
The next major milestone is set for mid-April, when crews will begin pouring the first building foundations.
“Our target date is the end of April,” said Gavin. “That’s when we intend to pour the first building foundation.”
From there, construction will accelerate quickly. Foundations will be poured in phases, with vertical construction beginning shortly after.
“It’s going to be one of those things where you went to work on Friday and you saw a bunch of concrete, and you come back on Tuesday and you start to see wood going up,” said Gavin.
When complete, the development will include 17 duplex-style buildings, totaling 35 homes. Of those, 19 will be four-bedroom units and 16 will be three-bedroom units, all featuring two-and-a-half bathrooms. One of the four-bedroom homes will be a standalone unit designed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements.
The project timeline remains consistent with earlier projections, with June 2027 being the target for full completion. However, there is potential for earlier occupancy as construction progresses.
“The Army’s direction is very clear that as the verticals get built… we can start putting families in them,” said Gavin, noting that homes may be occupied in phases if conditions allow.
In anticipation of that demand, the housing partner, who now operates as Centinel after transitioning from the previous housing partner’s United States portfolio, has already opened the application waitlist.
“We do have two applicants already on the wait list,” said Gavin. “Families that are preparing to undergo a permanent change of station (PCS)… they want to stay in those homes when they’re built.”
Interest in the new housing community continues to grow, reflecting a demand for on-post living options in the region.
“We get calls every day from PCS’ing families,” said Gavin. “I see the demand… I think we’re going to build it and they’re going to come.”
Housing Management Assistant Maureen O’Connor, who also supports housing operations at Tobyhanna, echoed that sentiment.
“We get walk-ins, people requesting information,” said O’Connor. “So it’s good.”
The project is expected to help meet the needs of a changing and expanding workforce, including personnel supporting Tobyhanna’s High Tech Regional Training Site-maintenance mission and other tenant organizations.
In addition to construction progress, planners are also working through community details, including amenities and infrastructure placement. A proposed roadway name, intended to reflect both Army history and the installation’s legacy, is currently under review by depot leadership.
While much of the early work took place out of sight, the coming months will bring visible transformation to the site.
“That hill that looks like a bunch of dirt… you’re going to start to see progress. It’s foundations and verticals from here,” said Gavin. “Our goal is to deliver quality housing that supports the well-being of our military families. Every step forward brings us closer to that vision. As construction accelerates, the community’s future takes place ensuring our heroes and their loved ones have a place to call home in Northeast Pennsylvania.”
Depot Commander Col. Benjamin L. Kilgore emphasized the importance of the project.
“Seeing this project move into the construction phase is an important step forward for Tobyhanna. While there is still work ahead, this effort reflects our continued commitment to investing in our people and strengthening the installation,” said Col. Kilgore. “We’re proud to be building a community that will welcome military families back to Tobyhanna and supports them with the quality of life they deserve.”
Tobyhanna remains focused on delivering modern, high-quality housing that supports readiness and strengthens the installation’s ability to serve warfighters and their families.
Fostering quality housing for our military community is a TOBY2035 Invest in Our People and C5ISR Readiness initiative. Tobyhanna Army Depot’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 strives to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense's premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is designated as the Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR), electronics, avionics, and missile guidance and control. TYAD provides cradle-to-grave lifecycle support through depot-level repair, systems integration, software and cyber engineering, and field support. A key enabler of operational readiness for Joint and Allied Forces globally, TYAD leverages new and emerging technologies to further expand the Department of War’s organic capabilities for microelectronics, secure communications infrastructure, uncrewed aircraft systems, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), and the Army’s Next Generation Combat Systems (NGC2). TYAD’s ability to rapidly surge production, deploy field support teams, and scale for contingency or theater-level operations makes it a vital contributor to strategic readiness and operational reach.
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