MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Tri-Command Military Housing recently unveiled a new name and announced a cutting edge plan to welcome select Department of Defense civilian employees to Laurel Bay.
Tri-Command Military Housing, the public/private partnership created by the Military Housing Privatization Initiative between the Department of the Navy and Actus Lend Lease, is now officially operating under the new name, Tri-Command Communities. The name, logo and new plans are representative of the new era of housing Tri-Command is offering.
“We have made some significant improvements at Tri-Command during the past year,” said Peter Ross, the TCC project director. “We feel that now more than ever, this project as a whole has changed for the better. Now is the best time to start anew and our new name and logo are just another way to clearly demonstrate that we are not the same Tri-Command we were a year ago.”
The TCC name and new look were chosen based on the rich history and geographical surroundings of the area, Ross explained.
“Laurel Bay has a historical significance and has a lot of good memories that carry on with the families who have lived there,” said Col. Robert Lanham, the commanding officer of the Air Station. “(Tri-Command Communities) is trying to match the name of their corporate entity that manages Laurel Bay for the Marine Corps with their mindset and what they’re all about - building a community here.”
The style will have a direct impact on prospective residents who will be enticed by the project’s fresh, clean look, according to Ross.
“We worked for months to come up with a design that is clearly reflective of the beautiful Lowcountry appeal while at the same time still represents Tri-Command for what it is, a military housing community,” Ross said. “I think we achieved both of those goals.”
Tri-Command Communities is a unique masterplanned community designed to enhance the lives of military service members. Last year they announced a new plan that allows Department of Defense, Naval Exchange and Non-Appropriated Funds employees in Beaufort to take advantage of the homes, according to B.J. Cozart, the TCC director of property management.
The first DoD employee moved into a TCC Laurel Bay home in late December.
“For those who are not ready or in a position to buy a home in the local area, living in TCC is a very wise investment,” said Jimmie Woods, the first Department of Defense civilian resident here.
Tri-Command Communities continues to strive to meet the needs of military families and military bachelors while allowing opportunities for home leases to Department of Defense employees, according to Cozart.
“I looked at the cost of home ownership and compared the size of the home versus what I would get out in town, this is the best choice,” Woods said.
Each civilian housing request is considered on a case-by-case basis by the Fightertown housing office, then they must be referred to TCC. The final decision rests with the Air Station Commanding Officer.
“We are thrilled to have our first Department of Defense family. It is a perfect marriage for cohesive living at Laurel Bay because many DoD employees are former military and know the military lifestyle that TCC promotes,” said Cozart.
DoD employees must first register to qualify at the military housing office and meet all requirements before moving into TCC at Laurel Bay, which is currently the only TCC neighborhood accepting DoD employees.