McGuire AFB Military Housing Privatization

Taylor Wiseman & Taylor was contracted by United Communities, LLC (UC) to team with them for the privatization of military housing at McGuire Air Force Base and Fort Dix in Burlington County, New Jersey.

The project consists of replacing the “stereotypical” military-style housing on the bases, most of which are in questionable condition, with more comfortable, attractive homes, similar to those available to the private sector. This also included providing ongoing management and maintenance of those homes for the duration of the fifty-year contract. Included in the project is demolition of 1,915 existing houses and renovation of 719 units. More than 1,600 new homes will be constructed to supplement the renovated dwellings.

The environmental phase began by establishing a baseline environmental status via a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for our client.

• RECs identified in the Phase I ESA led to additional investigation and converting the Phase I ESA into a Preliminary Assessment (PA).
• Findings from the Site Investigation (SI) prompted a Remedial Investigation (RI) and Remedial Assessment (RA), including multiple submittals to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

Existing Use:

• Century-old military barracks-style housing
• 1,915 homes scheduled for demolition
• Fort Dix and McGuire AFB had both been heavily treated with termiticides and, as a result, there was a widespread soil impact from these pesticides, particularly around building foundations.

Proposed Use:

• 1,600 new up-to-date single-family homes and townhomes
• 720 renovated multi-family units
• Newly constructed homes would be an average of 33% larger than previous ones
• Soils were remediated to unrestricted/residential standards

Project Notes:

• TWT Oversaw removal of nearly 200,000 tons of contaminated soil
• Obtained various waivers which greatly reduced cleanup costs to client
• Completed remediation with close correspondence with NJDEP, allowing client to proceed with construction on schedule, and at minimal risk
• Obtained six (6) No Further Action determinations in less than four years.