Housing makeovers set to begin in August

Renovation and construction of homes in Woodlawn Village will begin in August with the renovation of the village occurring in phases to be completed in October 2011.

"Every home in Woodlawn Village will be fully renovated with the latest upgrades," said Adam Owens, Development Associate with Clark Realty Capital, L.L.C.

The renovation is the latest phase of the Residential Communities Initiative at the installation.

"Dates are tentative and subject to the construction schedule," said Jennifer Watkins, marketing director at Pinnacle. "Residents will be notified 60-90 days in advance of any changes."
The interiors and exteriors of the homes in Woodlawn Village will be renovated.

"Woodlawn Village will be getting a new Neighborhood Center," Owens said. "Although it is early in the design stage, we plan to incorporate unique amenities such as an outdoor pool and fitness room. The housing will receive exterior renovations such as enhanced landscaping, new roofing and new siding. The interior renovations will include upgraded flooring, lighting, fixtures and appliances."

"We will attempt to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification for the proposed Woodlawn Village Neighborhood Center," he said. LEED is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design.

The Fairfax Village Neighborhood Center recently achieved LEED Platinum certification. Woodlawn Village Neighborhood Center would be an additional green building on post. The community benefits from the state- of- the art facility. It will serve as an educational tool and amenity for the children Belvoir.

In addition to a Neighborhood Center, Woodlawn Village homes will receive EnergyStar appliances, high efficiency vinyl windows, and sustainable materials incorporated into the interior design.
"Backyards will be enlarged and upgraded with a privacy fence," said Owens. "A new connecting road will be built to access the Woodlawn Village Neighborhood Center and improve traffic circulation. An enhanced fitness trail, dog park, community garden, improved playfields and tot lots are also planned."

As renovated homes become available in Woodlawn, residents residing in four-bedroom homes in the path of renovation will be offered a renovated home as their on-post relocation option.
"Residents of Woodlawn are being given priority status on all homes that become available within other villages," Watkins said. "Should the offer be declined, residents have the option to explore
housing off-post."

Once residents receive the Notice-of-Intention packet, the first move will be paid for. This includes packing, moving and unpacking to an on-post or off-post location within 50 miles. Each resident is limited to one paid move during the renovation process according to Pinnacle.

"Relocation offers will be made on a first come, first serve basis. Notice of intention forms will be dated and time stamped as received, and home offers will be made in the order that forms were received," Watkins said.

Residents who are retiring or moving in less than six months from the final move-out date should contact the Woodlawn Community Management Office at 703-781-0566 to discuss individual circumstances.

"We are very willing to work with all families on an individual basis, we want this to be as smooth and successful as possible," Watkins said.

For move out, all utility disconnection penalties or new service connection fees are waived. During the Woodlawn Village renovation meeting on the 17th, many families asked if they would be responsible
for painting and replacing blinds.

"We wouldn't expect you to repair blinds, or repaint in areas where renovation is coming through. Reasonable wear and tear is acceptable, and a representative of the Community Management Office will walk through the home with the resident before relocation to review and explain any necessary repairs" Watkins said.

For more information on renovations, stop by the Community Management Office or call 703-781-0566.

Editor's note: Woodlawn Village's renovation plans are getting underway just as the Fairfax County School Board is considering a proposal to transfer the neighborhood's elementary school-age children from Fort Belvoir Elementary School to Woodlawn Elementary. The board is scheduled to vote on the proposal tonight. Fort Belvoir's leadership, Clark Pinnacle, and Fairfax County school officials are
working to provide the best solution to families.