Stony Oak community welcomes first tenants Published Oct. 31, 2014 By Veronica Sandate Craker Northwest Guardian JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- At the start of the 19th century, the Stony Oak area at McChord Field served as a stock farm that raised both cattle and horses. In 1908, maps show the area sat on the outskirts of military training facilities. But today, the 35-acre plot is considered "home" to some Joint Base Lewis-McChord families. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Oct. 28 to mark the opening of eight new homes -- eventually, an additional 148 will be completed. Staff Sergeant Tony Green, a 627th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, and his family are one of the first families to move in. They attended the ceremony earlier this week and were finally able to view their new home. Currently, Green, his wife, Emmelina Fairley, and his three children are all living in a small three-bedroom apartment in Tacoma. But soon they will have more space in a beautiful, brand new two-story home. "The space -- I love this space," Fairley said, as she walked from room to room. When completed, the Stony Oak community will consist of 156 houses for service members from ranks of E1 to E6. The first set of eight units were completed this week and another eight will be finished Dec. 12. Approximately eight homes will be completed every 30 days until all 156 have been finished. "This has been a long time coming," said Todd Vasko, managing director of Lewis-McChord Communities. There are 100 four-bedroom homes and 56 three-bedroom homes being built. "The four bedroom homes are over 2,000 (square) feet in size, and the three bedrooms are almost 2,000 (square) feet in size," Vasko said. "So very large homes for families." The Stony Oak community incorporated new master plan guidelines that include garages, side yards and front porches. "It's all about making a sense of community, and this project truly does make a sense of community and walkability," Vasko said. Federal law required that a minimum of five percent of the homes be built for families with special needs. Vasko said Equity Residential took it a step further and constructed ten percent of the homes to meet those needs. The homes were also constructed to be energy efficient with energy-star rated appliances, drought-resistant lawns and LED street lights. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Col. David Kumashiro, commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing, spoke directly to Green and his family. "You guys earned this," he said. "You earned this by your service in our Air Force and to our nation. We're glad that our nation is able to provide this to you." Colonel H. Charles Hodges Jr., JBLM commander, said the project shows the commitment the installation and the Department of Defense has to providing world-class housing to its service members and their families. The homes were built over previous housing that was torn down to make way for the newer construction. Beginning in 2016, 167 more older homes in the neighborhood will be torn down. "Lewis-McChord communities is creating communities that set the standard for development and service to enable families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord to live the American dream they protect," Vasko said.