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thedrifter
02-11-09, 07:22 AM
Commanding general visits MCLB-Albany

Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations East, visited Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany to tour the housing construction on base.

Jennifer Maddox Parks jennifer.parks@albanyherald.com

MCLB-ALBANY — In July 2008, concrete was poured for a new housing project at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany. On Tuesday, the construction effort was opened for a tour.

Specifically, the tour was opened to members of the media and Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations East.

“This is what they deserve,” Jensen said. “This is real state of the art stuff.”

The project, titled Public Private Venture (PPV), has cost $38 million to develop. The projected completion date is set for October. So far things are ahead of schedule.

“This is going to influence a lot of (Marines) to live on the base now,” said Col. Christian Haliday, the base’s commanding officer. “It adds value to them on the job.”

The PPV includes 110 houses, which will be occupied by the Marines and families currently living in the older residences on base. The older housing units are expected to be demolished once the transfer is complete.

“It’s great when they bring their families in,” Jensen said. “It’s great housing for very great Marines and sailors.”

In addition to the housing units, the PPV also includes a community center and swimming pool for personnel living on base.

“It’s so important to moral if your spouse is happy, it makes for happy service members,” Jensen said. “It’s awfully nice to come home to something you are proud of.”

The minimum size for a home on the project is 1,800 square feet, with a minimum of three bedrooms. Once complete, all military housing aboard the base will be converted to privately owned and operated residences.

Jensen was assigned as the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff for U.S. Marine Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. until assuming his current duties last year.

Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany was commissioned in 1952 as the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies to provide supply support to Marines east of the Rocky Mountains. Today, it is part of Marine Corps Installations East and home to Marine Corps Logistics Command and Maintenance Center Albany. The base occupies 3,600 acres in Dougherty County with approximately 1,300 acres available for future development. Overall, it is estimated that the base’s economic impact in fiscal year 2008 was more than $987 million.

Ellie