Press Release
☷Notes from USAG Benelux Brussels Town Hall March 15 2024
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Mar 19,2024
| 8| 0
During an online town hall on March 15 , Col . Lindsay R . Matthews , the commander of U . S . Army Garrison Benelux , and Yvette Castro , Deputy Garrison Manager , hosted a garrison town hall . They welcomed viewers to the live event and introduced the panel members , including Margo Gardea , chief of Plans , Analysis & Integration Office ( PAIO ) and the Interactive Customer Service ( ICE ) representative , Stacy Perez , Director of Family , Morale , Welfare and Recreation ( FMWR ) , and Dr . Tate from the Department of Defense Education Activity ( DoDEA ) . They discussed initiatives such as the Brussels consolidation project and the Interactive Customer Evaluation ( ICE ) commend card system . Castro summarized the Brussels consolidation plan , explaining that USAG Benelux - Brussels will be fully consolidated at Sterrebeek Annex by fiscal year 2028 . They are also planning to divest building three at Brussels Main and move into buildings one , two , and four . Gardea talked about the ICE system , which allows customers to provide feedback . Perez mentioned the upcoming move of the fitness center and the plans to provide better facilities . “When old equipment is retired , it can be distributed to another post , its range reduced , sold in a new real estate sale , submitted to the DRMO for disposal , and then redistributed through the DRMO . "There is a possibility that it will be done , " he said . Perez . During this time , Matthews stepped in to thank the team . “Every day they are looking for problems to solve and are taking proactive action to implement these solutions , ” Matthews said . She explained that during the long - term goal of integrating into the Sterrebeek Annex , there will be challenges along the way . The commitment of the USAG Benelux leadership is to communicate with the community as we move forward with the project . In response to ICE ' s comments , Matthews spoke of community pride and confusion due to our demographics . “Organizations like DoDEA , DTSO , Scouts and clubs all make our community better , ” Matthews said . “Because we know that pride in our community fosters connection . We know that pride in our community fosters shared understanding , belonging , and inclusion . These are all things we want in life and for our children . ' ' Matthews encourages community members to volunteer and get involved in the community . Did . She called on the community to take pride in their spaces and take responsibility for keeping them clean . Matthews answered an audience question about moving everyone in the three buildings directly to the annex so she could only make one move instead of multiple moves . “The reality is that if you do that , you’re actually going to end up spending more money on military construction . That costs a lot of money , ” Matthews said . The commander has no problem publishing the plans for the Starlebeek annex once updated , with the understanding that they may change in the future . Matthews discussed how community members can get involved . She explained that the best way for communities to be involved in the planning process is through mechanisms like ICE and using the facilities we currently have . She also encouraged community members to participate in community - based feedback sessions when we are permitted to host them . Future meetings regarding Garrison Annex will be announced through the chain of command and public service announcements ( PSAs ) . Mr . Castro began a question - and - answer session inside the room . He observed from inside the room that there were no outdoor bins in the Brussels rental property . The Garrison is going to investigate it . Online viewers expressed requests for a delay as the Department of Defense appears to be rushing the relocation of his DSO and the completion of school facilities . Matthews explained that the Initiate started in 2015 and was informed in 2016 that the garrison needed to be consolidated into an annex . This plan was scheduled to be implemented and completed in 2022 . “Yes , I understand how rushed this consolidation of the third building with the rest of the Brussels lease may seem , but the actual consolidation of the Sterrebeek extension also took a decade , ” Matthews said . One of those present in the hall asked about the future of the 3 - star recreation center . Matthews explained that the room they were in during the town hall will be a future resting place before moving into the annex . A community member expressed wishes for a possible scout room to store equipment in the future . One person present expressed concern about the loss of new sports equipment during the consolidation . Perez explained that the preservation of the equipment depends on a number of conditions . “It depends on the new space , ” Perez said . “What does that space look like , the size of it and , again , the requirements for the community . ” One viewer asked what services would be discontinued and what to expect . “There are some services that will never go away , ” Matthews said . “The gym is one of them , the library is another . We have some services that are use it or lose it . If you don ' t use the service or don ' t use it enough to make it worthwhile , then we simply can ' t support it . ” Matthews further explained the need for programs to sustain themselves in order to maintain them . Castro closed the town hall with a discussion of her desire to create a working group for the Brussels community with one representative from each organization in Brussels to help further the conversation about public forums open to the community . Matthews closed the town hall by thanking the community for its participation .
PLAY the NEWS
* May be useful for visually impaired persons .
Press release information:
Direct link to press release:
Click here .
