Army Lodging privatization to raise quality of life

The U.S. Army announced June 15 that it will transfer the first 10 installations under the Army's Privatization of Army Lodging program on Aug. 15. The transfer reinforces the U.S. Army's commitment to improving its transient lodging to enhance the quality of life of Soldiers and their families.
Actus Lend Lease will redevelop lodging facilities and lodging operations will be assumed by the InterContinental Hotels Group.
"PAL brings world-class lodging practices and private sector investment to support quality-of-life requirements of our Soldiers, families and civilians as they serve," said Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson, assistant chief of staff for installation management.
Most of the Army Lodging employees affected by the transfer will receive offers of employment from IHG. Retained employees will have their Army Lodging employment honored as IHG service time. Seven of the 10 affected Army lodging general managers have accepted IHG positions.
The 10 Group A installations are: Fort Myer, Va.; Fort Rucker, Ala.; forts Leavenworth and Riley, Kan.; Fort Polk, La.; Fort Sill, Okla.; forts Hood and Sam Houston, Texas; Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.; Fort Shafter / Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.
Roy Helmka, Fort Belvoir's lodging manager, said Belvoir's Army Lodge is in Group B of three groups. "Changes to privatization at Belvoir are at least two years down the line," he said.
Helmka is also overseeing the transition of Myer's lodge to privatization. "They have 45 rooms now and, after privatization, it'll go to 18. The other rooms, currently on Fort McNair, will close entirely and not be taken over by the private company," Helmka said.
"Even with privatization, though, at no time will any lodging be closed," he said. "Additionally, reservations through the end of the year will be honored by the company. After the first of 2010, reservations will be made solely through the private company."
Upon transfer of the lodging rooms, the project will begin correcting commercial code noncompliance issues and overhauling the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the existing inventory. These renovations and the conversion of five hotels to Holiday Inn Express hotels will be complete within the first two years.
The end-state portfolio of hotels will be a mix of brands such as Candlewood Suites; Staybridge Suites; Holiday Inn Express, and renovated historic facilities. Enhanced guest services, including free breakfasts, pet-friendly rooms, and the IHG Priority Club frequent-stay program will start upon transfer.
Through the PAL program, the Army has engaged the private sector to manage, build, renovate, maintain and operate transient lodging on Army installations. The program is modeled after the Army's successful privatized family housing program, the Residential Communities Initiative.