Meriwether Landing is a precedent-setting neighborhood.

The newest addition of 262 housing units to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, it is the first residential area to be shared by officers and enlisted Servicemembers.

"This is about improving the quality of life for all Servicemembers," Todd Vasko, the post's managing director of Equity Residential, said. "We could not be prouder."

The relationship between the Army, Equity Residential and Lincoln Properties represents a cooperative and fiscally sensible relationship between the private and public sectors of the economy.

"Our relationship with Equity has been wonderful," said Greta Powell, chief of housing for JBLM.  "It is a first class partnership."

Meriwether Landing, located on JBLM Lewis North, represents a $110 million investment, with $72 million coming from the Army.  Equity leveraged that money and secured another $39 million to build the homes.

The results of this partnership speak for themselves.

Recognizing that Servicemembers and their families can choose to live on or off post, one of Equity's goals is to provide quality housing.  Presently, about 30 percent of Servicemembers assigned to JBLM live on base.

"The local community has been very supportive of our efforts," Vasko said.

Meriwether Landing is divided into four neighborhoods, each corresponding to the Army's history and rank structure.

The landing's name is a tip of the hat to Meriwether Lewis, the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806. 

The four neighborhoods - Pryor Crossing (for company grade officers); Ordway Heights (for command sergeants major); Clark's Point (for field grade officers) and Shannon Woods (for junior enlisted Soldiers) - relate to key individuals on the expedition.

The streets that run North and South are named after implements used during Lewis & Clark's travels; the streets that run East and West are named after the animals discovered during the mission.

Both Powell and Vasko said that the JBLM Museum was invaluable in linking history to the neighborhood.

Amenities vary with rank, but all of the three- to four-bedroom housing units will have fenced-in yards, air conditioning and heat pump systems.

Microwave ovens, hardwood floors, two-car garages and mudrooms are featured in the homes for field grade officers and sergeants major.

Americans with Disabilities Act compliance has been met and exceeded. Twenty percent of the homes on Meriwether Landing are in compliance with the act, which requires only 10 percent compliance.

Powell pointed out that one of the appealing aspects of the development is that it is an all-ranks neighborhood.

"This community provides a lot of great opportunities for people to come together across those boundaries."

For more information, visit www.jblmc.com or call the Housing Service Office at (253) 967-3581.