Family moves into first of new homes at NAS Jax

The new homes were made available as part of the public-private venture (PPV) housing project taking place on the base.

"It's an honor being selected for the first new home," stated AE3 Simonsen.

"Many parents have to worry about providing a safe home in a good neighborhood where they can keep their children from harm. This new home on the base make us feel very secure and that was our number one goal. It really is great."

NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. kicked off the ceremony.

Balfour Beatty Development Manager Kent Ramsay welcomes the first Navy family to receive a new town home at Patriot's Point at NAS Jax.

"This is not your father's base housing. I remember the first base housing that my wife, Chris, and I lived in. We had no air conditioning, no garbage disposal, no dishwasher and certainly no sprinkler system to water the lawn. These homes have every amenity available. This is all about taking care of our Sailors and the Navy-Balfour Beatty PPV team has certainly done a superb job of that today."

"This partnership positively impacts the lifestyles of our Sailors and their families," added Balfour Beatty Development Manager Kent Ramsay.

"These new homes will rival anything in the surrounding civilian area. They offer three or four bedrooms, lots of storage, one-car garages and energy saving appliances. The bottom line is a safe and enjoyable community for Navy families. It's a great feeling and honor for me as a retired senior chief,to be able to help provide this quality and level of homes to the Sailors," added Ramsay.

According to Balfour Beatty Community Manager Diana Heintz,

the NAS Jacksonville PPV is demolishing 300 obsolete units, building 264 new units and renovating 26 other homes in the family housing area.

AWVAN Tyler Simonsen and AE3 Danielle Simonsen and their son, Ryan get their first look inside their new town home at NAS Jax.

The first phase of the PPV project is nearing completion and the second phase is slated to begin in late summer.

"This is wonderful. I'm so excited, and it's a great feeling to be part of a project that helps Sailors enjoy a better lifestyle. We at Balfour Beatty are pumped up about this project and ready to get started on the next phase," said Heintz.