Communities encouraged to participate in Fort Riley expansion
Thousands will seek housing
Staff reporter
Growth may be at Marion County's fingertips.
Three-fourths of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, The Big Red One, is returning to Fort Riley.
Military officers currently are arriving at the facility.
Deb Skidmore, of the Fort Riley public affairs office, said some military personnel already have arrived with more coming this fall.
Military personnel are required to live within a specific area of the fort.
"We try to keep the soldiers in as close of a range as possible," Skidmore explained, but knows there will be a tremendous housing shortage in the immediate proximity.
Previously, the military required personnel to live within a 20- to 30-mile radius. When housing becomes limited within that radius, the area will be expanded to a 60-mile radius.
"The soldiers will want to live as close as possible because they'll have morning PT (physical training) and drills," Skidmore said.
However, there is not adequate housing within the recommended area.
Larger communities within the 60-mile radius, like Manhattan, Salina, and Topeka, currently are being tapped for housing, said Skidmore, but at some point there will be a need to look elsewhere.
Between October and March, more than 1,000 military personnel is anticipated to arrive. During the next two years, another 1,900 will come to the army facility. These figures do not include military family members.
"Another wave will arrive in the summer of 2006, and the last wave in the summer of 2007," Skidmore said.
In addition to an influx of military population, there will be considerable construction opportunities for area contractors and jobs for civilians.
Marion is the farthest southern community in the county within the 60-mile radius. Communities located in the northern part of the county will have a distinct advantage.
At a recent meeting to discuss the expansion, Bill Moore of USDA Rural Development said military personnel will be looking at two main issues.
"Housing is the number one issue and day-care is number two," Moore said.
Rural Development will provide a special allotment of $25 million for a guaranteed rural housing loan program to finance military and civilian home buyers with off-post housing.
The rural development funds also will assist communities with infrastructure needs due to an increase in population.
Even if soldiers do not locate in Marion County, they will be looking for weekend activities.
Communities gearing up for influx
Since the Pentagon confirmed in May that the 1st Infantry Division would return to Kansas, area communities have been gearing up for the expansion.
Neighboring communities such as Ogden and Junction City are making additional housing available, and experiencing retail business growth.
In Junction City, banks are being built in large quantities.
The total population of the Fort Riley community could approach 70,000 in a few years.
Officials anticipate the total economic impact will be close to $2 billion, which includes construction, payroll, and increased school enrollment.
The Army has requested 2,900 additional housing units from surrounding communities such as Junction City and Manhattan, with an immediate need for 1,800.
New housing on the post will not be allowed until there is a housing deficit in area communities.
Other expansions at Fort Riley include the creation of a new light infantry brigade. The majority of soldiers for the 6th Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division will arrive by early 2006.
The 6th Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division will become a brigade of the 1st Infantry Division, along with the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Armored Division, already based at Fort Riley. The 1st Armored Division also is returning from Germany and will be located in Texas.
When new soldiers arrive at Fort Riley they are required to contact the fort's community home-finding relocation and referral services (CHHRS).
Properties on the CHHRS rental list must be inspected and approved to be placed on the list.
The next step
County and city officials should contact the housing office at the military base to provide information about available housing. The telephone number is (785) 239-3525 or (785)239-6937.
Skidmore also suggested community and county websites request a link with the military website. Contact webmaster Carol Schroeder at (785) 239-8176, ext. 2803, for more information.
"Communities need to promote tourism, school systems, and things to do on weekends," Skidmore recommended.
Numerous civilian jobs also will become available. Call (785) 239-6080 for more information.
"This could have a huge economic impact on surrounding cities and counties," Skidmore said. Areas that promote their assets will have the best results.
