New housing construction is underway at Fort Leonard Wood, bringing modern homes for soldiers and their families to the long-standing military installation in Missouri’s Ozarks region.
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The post, located southwest of Rolla, currently has about 1,800 on-base homes, some dating back to the 1960s. With military families typically rotating every two years, officials say the housing stock experiences significant wear and tear, making reinvestment a priority.
Construction began this month on 56 new homes, consisting of 28 duplexes designed with three or four bedrooms. The residences are intended primarily for junior-level officers and their families and will be located near an elementary school, playgrounds and a community center to support family life on post.
Military leaders say the project reflects years of planning and commitment.
“We've been telling the community about this for quite some time,” said Col. Steven Bartley, Fort Leonard Wood’s Garrison Commander. “So now to see the shovels in the ground and now to see the streets being cleared and construction equipment coming in, the promise is being upheld.”
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According to housing officials, the new homes will reflect updated standards for comfort, efficiency and accessibility.
“They include modern layouts, energy-efficient features and will also have three Americans with Disability Act-compliant homes to ensure accessibility,” said Shawna Swanson, a vice president with Balfour Beatty, the private company that manages the base’s housing.
Military housing nationwide drew scrutiny in 2019 after a survey revealed widespread concerns about substandard living conditions and fears of retaliation for reporting problems. In response, Fort Leonard Wood expanded staffing to handle housing complaints and relaunched a neighborhood program that assigns mayors to each area to help address issues and improve communication.
The current housing initiative is part of a broader investment at the installation. The $50 million project includes not only new construction, but also the demolition of some older homes and upgrades to others over the next several years. The work coincides with the completion of a new $400 million hospital and the expansion of basic training operations on post.
Bartley said the investments highlight the Army’s long-term commitment to Fort Leonard Wood and could lead to additional housing development in the future.
“We could use another several hundred homes to get back to where the overall housing infrastructure meets the current expectations,” he said. “Until then we will continue to do what we have always done – providing safe and ready homes.”
Officials say the new homes are a step toward modernizing on-base living conditions while supporting military families and strengthening the installation’s role in the region.
Originally reported by Jonathan Ahl in Stlpr.
