Garrison leaders check progress on Camp Zama housing upgrades

CAMP ZAMA, Japan - U.S. Army Garrison Japan leaders recently inspected a 20-home renovation project here as the garrison plans to roll out several more upgrades across its inventory.

The first of the revamped housing units in the Kite Peak neighborhood, which includes five fourplex buildings, is slated to open later this year.

Col. Marcus Hunter, garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. David A. Rio, garrison senior enlisted leader, toured the buildings April 9 to see firsthand the construction that may be replicated at other sites.

"As we continue [the renovations], we want to make sure that we're getting good expenditure and we're getting the right product for our community," Hunter said.

The current project is part of a large-scale renovation process that aims to benefit community members for many years to come.

In fiscal years 2024-26, the garrison looks to renovate at least 135 Army family homes and then two unaccompanied housing buildings in fiscal 2025-26.

Additional renovations are scheduled for fiscal 2027 and beyond, which will include more than 70 homes and one unaccompanied housing building.

Rio said that Kite Peak will be the first fully renovated neighborhood to reopen since the process began in 2021.

"This housing was built in the '90s, so being able to come in and modernize it really increases the quality of life for our incoming residents," he said.

Jesus Chavarria, housing division chief at the Directorate of Public Works, said many updated features inside the homes were a direct result of the annual tenant satisfaction survey.

Some of those features include new appliances and improved kitchen layouts, recessed lighting and dimmer switches, pull-out faucets, and curved shower curtain rods to provide more room.

"The features that [tenants] have asked for are what we're trying to incorporate into everything to make it a little bit homier," Chavarria said.

He added that feedback remains important for the garrison as it continues to enhance its housing options.

"If nobody tells us [of any issues], we're going to think that the status quo is still good when it's not, and we need to change it," he said.

Perry Cannon, who oversees the housing operations branch, said the aging sewer and water lines in the Kite Peak neighborhood will also be replaced to further provide safe and quality housing to residents.

"This is their home; this is where they're going to live," Cannon said. "So, we have to give them a good place to live because if Soldiers are happy at home, they're going to be happy at work."

Hunter also noted the garrison's motto, "The Army's home in the Land of the Rising Sun," in describing how these projects will take care of the organization's people.

"Nothing speaks more to [living up to] that [motto] than your literal home, where you live," he said. "'People first' means starting at that very first starting point - their home. And so, putting people first ensures that their home is as nice as we can possibly offer."

Hunter said he appreciated the DPW workforce for its ongoing efforts to improve the living conditions for community members.

While contractors may be doing the remodeling, the colonel said DPW employees still help design and certify that the construction meets the Army's mission.

"They make it a very smooth and efficient process, and that's hard when you think of the scope and the number of units that we are doing," he said. "I'm always very impressed by the work that they do, and I extend a deepfelt thanks and appreciation to their incredible talents."

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U.S. Army Garrison Japan news

USAG Japan official website

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