PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Under clear, sunny skies, Picatinny Arsenal and its military housing partner Balfour Beatty Communities unveiled a new housing development for service members and their families here June 12.

Officials from both organizations participated in a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the new Lenape residential area for occupancy.

The area consists of 26 three- and four-bedroom duplexes and single-family homes.

The homes average 2,000 to 2,500 square feet in size, have 2-1/2 baths, fully equipped modern kitchens, walk-in closets and two-car garages.

Inside the homes, residents are surrounded with modern amenities that are energy efficient. "These homes are very green and structured for energy conservation," said Bruce Zimmer-man, Picatinny's installation housing asset manager.

The Lenape development is part of an overall family housing privatization project that is constructing 26 new homes, renovating 10 others, converting 10 existing homes into six four-bedroom houses and building a number of playgrounds. Plans also call for demolishing 55 older residences.

Balfour Beatty Communities, formerly GMH Military Housing, is the firm that owns and operates the installation's military-family housing program.

Picatinny is part of its $17-million-dollar housing communities' project.

"The official ribbon cutting marks the beginning of a completely new approach to housing service members and their families at Picatinny Arsenal," according to Balfour Beatty Communities.

Additionally, as part of the ceremony, the keys to a new home were presented to a Picatinny military family.