U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan commander Col. Dave Hall talks to Hannam Village residents during a town hall meeting Tuesday. (Jimmy Norris / S&S)
SEOUL — Disappearing sidewalks, reappearing customer complaints at the Post Exchange and "manless" entry gates that never appeared were among issues raised at Hannam Village’s town hall meeting Tuesday.
U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan commander Col. Dave Hall started the meeting by asking if residents had any questions regarding the ongoing renovations of their high-rise units that began last month.
One person raised the possibility of reopening the pedestrian gate that was closed in late 2007 once renovations were finished.
Hall said it was something the command would consider, most likely by using "manless" entry gates.
Hall had mentioned the possibility last year when residents complained of the inconvenience caused by the gate’s closure. But a "software glitch" on a manless gate installed elsewhere forced the garrison to stop using it. When the glitch is worked out, Hannam will likely get one, though Hall said he didn’t know when that will happen.
"Don’t hold your breath," he said. "Because there probably won’t be anything in the next year."
Residents also reminded Hall that during a January meeting he’d promised sidewalks would remain unaffected by construction fences. But he was told a key route through the area is now blocked, forcing people to walk in the street on their way to the bus stop.
Installation coordinator Patrick Demele said contractors from the Korea National Housing Corp. had found it impossible to work on the buildings without blocking the sidewalk, but a ramp should be built onto the playground by the middle of next week.
Also at the meeting was Army and Air Force Exchange Service General Manager Shawn Dorcy, who talked about upcoming initiatives.
Dorcy said in response to the most common complaint among PX customers — the inability to find the clothes they want — he is planning to hold a "Community Fashion Forum" where people can tell AAFES staff what they’d like to see in stores.
The time and place of the forum remain undecided, but a tentative date is Feb. 24, Dorcy said. People can be notified by e-mail of final details by signing up for the "AAFES Buddy List" in the customer service area of the Yongsan main PX.
Dorcy said AAFES also is adding 25 taxis to the Yongsan cab service, which will cycle drivers through Hannam Village and K-16 Air Base more frequently.
