By Chris L. Jenkins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 3, 2008

The controversial, complicated and massive reshuffling underway at Fort Belvoir has a new on-site manager.

Army Col. Jerry L. Blixt officially became Belvoir's base commander yesterday during a short changing-of-the-guard ceremony at the post's Long Parade Field.

As the supervisor of the 8,600-acre base in southeastern Fairfax County, Blixt, 52, will help guide the last stages of the 2005 base realignment, which effectively doubles the number of employees working on post. For the past three years, that task fell to Col. Brian W. Lauritzen, who was regarded by many as a steady hand who found efficient ways to make space for 20,000 new post employees.

Fort Belvoir, which faces a congressionally mandated 2011 deadline for completing the expansion, is in the early stages of accommodating the influx. Blixt, like Lauritzen, will be responsible for assessing traffic projections and helping the Army decide which road improvements on and around the base are essential.

He will oversee the start of construction of several facilities on the post, including a large military hospital, and a proposal to open the Army's first national museum.

Workers have begun underground blasting in the early stages of building the $747 million hospital as well as the $1.7 billion site of the relocated National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, where Blixt was previously assigned.

A native of Galesburg, Ill., Blixt, 52, has also had posts in Arizona, Washington and Korea. He will serve at Belvoir for three years. Blixt and his wife, Debra, have three children, Chris, J.B. and Nicole.

A graduate of the National War College, Blixt has advanced degrees in public administration and national security strategy. He has also been awarded the Bronze Star.

In his new position, Blixt will be responsible for communicating each step of the realignment process to federal, state and local officials and community groups that raise concerns.

The reorganization of regional military facilities under the Base Realignment and Closure Commission plan has sparked concerns in several communities where jobs are being added about whether schools and roads can handle the increased population.

In Fairfax, officials worry that the expansion may worsen traffic in an area with limited roads. Officials have also expressed concern about the effect on schools.

"The key to this process is constant communication," said Donald Dees, a spokesman for Fort Belvoir. Blixt was not available for an interview yesterday.

"He is very aware of the need to build consensus, communication and building on what has gone on before," Dees said.

Blixt will probably be tested immediately. Senior Army officials are scheduled to decide this month on a plan that would redirect about 6,200 of the scheduled reassigned employees to Springfield or Alexandria.

That plan developed after Fairfax officials and Northern Virginia congressional leaders raised concerns about the original proposal.

"I don't envy him at all. . . . He does not have an easy job ahead," said Fairfax Supervisor Gerald W. Hyland (D-Mount Vernon), whose district includes the post. "To implement what is required and put in place what is necessary to support the troops and the efficient transportation of thousands of people -- by 2011 -- is going to be difficult, if not impossible."

Currently, the base is home to more than 100 Defense Department and other federal agencies, with a daily population of about 23,000 military and civilian workers.