Army Housing Task Force Members Named

Representatives from Fort Drum, public education, local, state and federal governments and other stakeholders will comprise the initial working group of the newly created FDRLO Army Housing Task Force. In cooperation with Fort Drum’s Command Group, the FDRLO approved the formation of the Task Force at last Friday’s board meeting. 

Dr. John Deans, chair of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, announced today that the following individuals have accepted the invitation to serve:

Mr. Charles H. Bohlen, Jr., Superintendent of Jefferson-Lewis BOCES; 
Mr. Donald Brining, St. Lawrence County Administrator;
Ms. Mary Corriveau, Assistant to the City Manager, Watertown; chair, 801 Task Force;
Ms. Sharon DeVoe, Lewis County Manager;
Mr. Lance Evans, Executive Officer, Jefferson-Lewis Board of REALTORs 
and St. Lawrence County Board of REALTORs;
Mr. Robert Hagemann, Jefferson County Administrator;
Ms. Anne LeMay, Congressional Aide, Office of Congressman John McHugh;
Mr. Graham Wise, Office of NYS Senator James Wright; and 
Mr. Douglas Schelleng, Empire State Development.

Mr. Robert Juravich, Executive Director, Development Authority of the North Country, will chair the Task Force. Dr. Deans serves as an ex officio member as chair of FDRLO. A representative of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal is expected to be announced some time later this month.

Fort Drum will be represented by COL Emory R. Helton, Garrison Commander; COL John L. Ramey, Director, Public Works; Mr. James Corriveau, RCI Project Manager; and Ms. Randa Ortlieb, Chief, Housing Division.

The Army Housing Task Force is charged with facilitating communication and understanding among the potential stakeholders in the Residential Communities Initiative. The Task Force is authorized to undertake education, research and coordination functions as determined by the FDRLO’s executive committee. 

Currently, Fort Drum’s military housing mix is unique. Soldiers and their families are housed in army housing both within and outside the fence line. Whether or not this mix will continue once Residential Communities Initiative (RCI) is fully implemented is yet to be determined. 

Developers interested in partnering with Ft. Drum to supply the needed housing units will begin to study the area within the next few months. The RFQ (Requests for Qualifications) for the fifty year partnership are due in March 2003.