The Wall St. Journal reports from Fort Meade, MD that “an apartment community being built on this military installation offers service members an attractive alternative to living in barracks and enduring cramped rooms with twin beds, windowless kitchenettes and shared showers.”

“When it opens to tenants, scheduled for December, Reece Crossings will be the Army’s first privately built, on-base apartment community for single lower-ranking enlisted men and women.”

“Unlike typical barracks, Reece Crossings will have more than 800 beds in spacious one- and two-bedroom units with private bathrooms, full-size kitchens, washers and dryers and large living rooms. The complex will have a pool, videogame kiosks and fitness facilities.”

“The development is a gamble for developer Corvias Military Living, an affiliate of privately held Corvias Group, East Greenwich, R.I. The company is funding the entire $72 million construction tab and is required by the Army to recruit tenants on its own, leaving it at risk of unfilled beds. Service members also have to demonstrate enough responsibility and maturity to receive approval to live in the community, an Army spokesman said.”