Fort Carson celebrated a new phase of housing construction Monday as it welcomed a new garrison commander.
Col. Erik Oksenvaag took over the role similar to serving as a mayor for Fort Carson from Col. Sean Brown. Like a city leader, Oksenvaag will oversee large infrastructure projects such as updates to the electrical grid and the new housing going up in Arapahoe Village, among other responsibilities.
The work on the new housing east of Highway 115 started about two years ago with demolition and Monday the base celebrated the first wall going up in a home.
“This project has been a long time coming,” said Brown, who attended the celebration as one of his last acts as garrison commander. Over the last two years, crews have been putting in needed utilities such as electrical, water and sewer lines, he said.
The project also faced delays because Balfour Beatty Communities has been working on refinancing for the local project and extending its ground lease for another 25 years, Brown said previously. Balfour Beatty is a large company managing 56 military communities across 26 states.
Across Fort Carson, crews are building a school, a gym, renewable energy projects and preparing to start on new homes.
In his new position, Oksenvaag said he expected housing would be his top priority, as it was for his predecessor Brown, who faced numerous complaints over housing maintenance.
Brown expected the new homes would be provide modern appliances and hardwood floors, in place of aging homes built between 1958 and 1962. The new homes will have three to four bedrooms and provide housing for enlisted soldiers up to the rank of staff sergeant.
When complete the development will have over 200 homes, close to the number that was torn down.
The first 56 homes in Arapahoe are expected to be finished by September 2025, said Theresa Steele, vice president of project development, project management for Balfour Beatty.
He expected the homes will help meet demand. About 25% to 30% of Fort Carson’s population lives on post, but there is high interest in it because of the high cost of housing off post, he said. The wait-time for housing is between two to four weeks. In the summer it can go up to eight weeks, Brown said.
Across Army bases with privatized housing Fort Carson has come in last for residential satisfaction for three years. It’s a trend base leadership is determined to turn around.
However, Fort Carson residents have also been dissatisfied with the Balfour Beatty-provided maintenance of housing. In a 2023 survey Fort Carson ranked last for overall resident satisfaction among 43 installations for the third time. The survey measures resident satisfaction of privately managed housing across categories such as the courtesy of maintenance personnel, safety and security.
In September, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Commander Gen. David Doyle took a personal interest in responding to housing complaints, leading walking town halls through neighborhoods to talk with residents about their concerns.
During an interview Monday, Brown said he has seen a dramatic drop in the number of maintenance work orders.
“Balfour Beatty has continued to improve their processes,” he said.
Oksenvaag said he expected his biggest challenge in the new job would be patience as he transitioned from tactical work to garrison work managing large construction projects.
Among many assignments, he worked with the 1st Stryker Brigade at Fort Carson and most recently as the deputy commander and chief of staff of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin.
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