Construction to finish base housing patio roofs, yard fences Published Nov. 21, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The housing office here plans to continue construction to the base's military family housing areas in spring 2012. The project continuation is funded with leftover money from one of the recent housing construction phases and includes finishing townhouse patio roofs and inserting yard fences. Development of the newer housing area began in 2007, and the contractors split the project into two phases. The $42.7 million first phase included the demolition of more than 90 housing units, and the construction of 139 contemporary townhouses, patios and yard fencing. However, the price for construction rose nearly 23 percent in the time between the initial quote and the Air Force's allocated money for this construction project, said Rainer Schneider, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron Housing Flight facilities section chief. This was mainly due to the higher demand for construction in Germany, which drove up the prices, and the fluctuation in the exchange rate of currencies. The housing office opted to remove some amenities -- the patio roofs and yard fencing -- to continue construction within the projected timetable. "You can do the research, submit an idea and it still may be years before you see the groundbreaking," he said. "We either had to start the bidding process over again, which may have delayed the construction of the housing area, or just remove some items from the homes to be able to pay for the project." When the $37.3 million second phase of construction ended, Schneider said the costs were less than anticipated. So, the housing office plans to use the extra money to fully complete phase one. "Having a fence gives you more of a sense of home," said Jo Cardenas, 52nd CES housing director. "Before, people would just come home to a building. With the finishing touches on the townhouses, they're much more an actual home." Spangdahlem Airmen and their families can expect construction completion by the end of July. The housing office wants to provide good quality, contemporary housing to service members, and the patio roofs and yard fences are just one way they do that, she said. "We're with you from the cradle to the grave," she said. "We're here for you."