Homestead Inn renovations and expansion underway

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Large-scale renovation projects are underway at Homestead Inn to better suit the lodging needs of reservists traveling from all over South Florida to serve at Homestead Air Reserve Base.

All existing Homestead Inn buildings are set for some form of refurbishment this year with improvements such as replacing drywall, painting, and furniture and carpet replacement. The overhaul will also be complemented with the addition of a new building.

The $6.9 million, 37-room addition to Homestead Inn is set to break ground this summer, according to Mr. Matt Christ, 482nd Mission Support Group Engineering Flight chief.

The new lodging building will be equipped with a lighted parking lot and will provide visiting quarters for distinguished guests and reservists alike. Consequently, fewer reservists will have to stay off-base in local hotels during future Unit Training Assembly weekends.

Though the planned renovations will benefit reservists in the long run, fewer rooms on base will be available while the work progresses. And more wing members may temporarily need to stay off base during UTA weekends and annual tour, said Mr. Ernest Stenson, 482nd Services Squadron Homestead Inn general manager.

Nonetheless, the rooms will really look brighter and fresher and will be more comfortable, Mr. Stenson said.

In addition, a Business Center has been established in the lobby to allow guests to stay connected while away from home.

"We have two computers with Internet access and a printer for guests' personal use, plus Wi-Fi Internet in the lobby of the main lodging building if people want to bring in their laptops," Mr. Stenson said. "Fax and copier services are also available for official use only."

As a result of the Internet access in the lobby, people staying in rooms on the first and second floors of the main building can also access the Wi-Fi signal, he said.

Internet access and movies on demand in every room are also planned as part of an Air Force-wide lodging project that should be established at Homestead Inn toward the end of the year. It'll offer a better variety of TV programs and movies, and guests will have the option of connecting to the Internet through Wi-Fi or broadband.