Officials hope new apartments ensure Fort Sill's future

(Lawton-AP) -- Construction has begun on two privately run apartment complexes for military personnel at Fort Sill.<br><br>McSha Properties of Norman plans to build two apartment complexes, a 190-unit

Monday, April 12th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Lawton-AP) -- Construction has begun on two privately run apartment complexes for military personnel at Fort Sill.

McSha Properties of Norman plans to build two apartment complexes, a 190-unit apartment complex, and a 92-unit apartment complex.

City officials are hoping additional housing will help ensure Fort Sill's future in Lawton when the US Department of Defense decides which military bases to close or realign next year.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld estimates the military has 24% more base capacity than it needs.

Many of the new apartments have two or three bedrooms for soldiers with families.

All of the apartments are off-base, but meet the same guidelines as on-base housing.