The state of Georgia became one of Houston County’s biggest landlords by buying more than 100 houses, manufactured homes and apartment units that could threaten the future of Robins Air Force Base. The base is a major U.S. Air Force installation and is located just east of and adjacent to the city of Warner Robins, Georgia.

The Macon Telegraph tells MHProNews that despite the progress in buying and demolishing the homes and apartments, some local politicians feel that the process is not going fast enough. The state is using local, state and federal money to buy houses in noisy areas near Robins Air Force Base, then demolishing them. That lowers the population density and reduces the threat of what’s called “encroachment,” which could be a critical factor in another Base Realignment and Closure process. (BRAC)

In the past several months, the state has finalized the sale of four manufactured home communities, a small apartment complex and some other properties, said Daniel Brown, business operations specialist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. In all, that puts the land purchases by the state at 25 properties, in addition to 107 housing units purchased to battle encroachment issues for Robins.

“We’ve made a lot of progress,” Brown said, “and the state is close to completing efforts with another 13 properties that could be approved at the next State Properties Commission meeting, which likely will be held in the spring.”  He explained that bulk sales clear out more housing units faster, but a few parcels with multiple houses remain. The state is negotiating now for one more property with seven buildings.

Even after demolition, Brown said that much of the debris is left behind, from metal foil-wrapped ductwork to staircases that no longer lead to manufactured homes. Several manufactured homes, stripped of most of their siding, also remain.

Brown said the state is moving as quickly as possible to begin cleaning up the properties it’s buying. He said that such cleanups go beyond picking up the remaining trash to also include demolition of concrete driveways.

Houston County Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker said he expected state property purchases to move faster, but said he’s not worried that encroachment will still be a problem when another BRAC begins. ##

(Photo Credit: Mike Stucka / Macon Telegraph)

 

Article submitted by Sandra Lane to – Daily Business News – MHProNews.