The U.S. Army announced June 15 that it will transfer the first 10 installations under the Army’s Privatization of Army Lodging program Aug. 15.
Actus Lend Lease will perform the redevelopment of the lodging facilities and operations will be assumed by InterContinental Hotels Group.
The majority of Army Lodging employees affected by the transfer will receive offers of employment from IHG.
About 83 percent of employees who applied for positions with IHG will receive offers of employment. Retained employees will have their Army Lodging employment honored as IHG service time. Seven of the 10 affected Army Lodging general managers have accepted IHG positions.
The 10 Group A installations are: Fort Rucker, Ala.; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Polk, La.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.; Fort Myer, Va.; Fort Shafter/Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.
Upon transfer of lodging rooms, the project will begin correcting commercial code noncompliance issues and overhauling the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the existing inventory. These renovations and the conversion of five hotels to Holiday Inn Expresses will be complete within two years.
At Fort Polk, the next two years will focus on operational and infrastructure improvements to all the facilities conveyed to the private operator and the renovation and conversion of the Magnolia House and Cypress Inn to Holiday Inn Expresses.
The long-term vision for Fort Polk on-post lodging also includes a new Candlewood Suites. The projected lodging end-state for Fort Polk is 268 rooms.
Enhanced guest services including complimentary breakfasts, pet-friendly rooms and the IHG Priority Club frequent-stay program will start upon transfer.
The U.S. Army is committed to improving its transient lodging as a means of sustaining the quality of life of Soldiers and their Families.
Through the PAL Program, the Army engages the private sector to manage, construct, renovate, maintain and operate transient lodging on Army installations.
The program is modeled after the Army’s successful privatized family housing program, Residential Communities Initiative.
For more information about how the PAL program will affect Fort Polk, read future editions of the Guardian.
