click for hi-res U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with General Services Administration, celebrated the opening Jan. 31, of a new community with 21 family homes for CBP officers and agents securing a remote portion of Arizona’s southwest border. Photo Credit: Sundt Construction, Inc

Ajo, Ariz.

The new housing includes two- and three-bedroom units to house mission-critical personnel and their families. Homes are designed to be durable, climate appropriate and energy efficient – using approximately 75 percent less energy than existing homes in the area. The community site also includes a centrally located recreational space with three open-air pavilions, and a community post office box area.

click for hi-res Border Patrol agent Jodi Butts (far left) and Customs and Border Protection officer Cody Lloyd (far right) hold the ceremonial ribbon as Carol Yokum, Western Pima County Community Council President (from second to left); Robin Coachman, CBP Housing/Project Manager; Karl Calvo, CBP Facilities Management & Engineering Executive Director; Ruth Cox, GSA Regional Administrator; Mitch Merriam, CBP Joint Field Command – Arizona Deputy Commander; and Kraig Hill, Sundt Construction, Inc. Senior Project Manager cut the ribbon officially opening the CBP housing facility in Ajo, Ariz.

These homes meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certification requirements. This designation recognizes the significant steps taken by CBP to ensure its modular housing is energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

This new housing is available to all CBP mission-critical personnel, whether they are U.S. Border Patrol agents or CBP officers . Personnel permanently assigned in the Ajo or Lukeville areas will be assigned housing on a “first come, first serve” basis regardless of rank or pay grade. The units can serve as family housing or personnel can share it to reduce their rent costs.

Participants attending the event included Mitch Merriam, Deputy Commander, Joint Field Command – Arizona; Ruth Cox, Regional Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration; Carol Yokum, President, Western Pima County Community Council (Ajo); Kraig Hill, Senior Project Manager, Sundt Construction, Inc.; and Karl Calvo, Executive Director, Facilities Management & Engineering, U. S. Customs and Border Protection.