New affordable Lawton View rentals unveiled at ribbon cutting ceremony

Lawton View has a new addition to the family.

A two-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex with washer and dryer hookups, stainless steel appliances and a fenced backyard, among other things, has been recently built.

Brenda Spencer-Ragland, broker and owner of NextHome Tri-Covenant Realty, said the duplex is one of many that is going to be built.

“We do short-term and long-term rentals,” Spencer-Ragland said. “We know that, for any demographic we look at, 80 percent of our population for the military lives in the local community. Twenty percent lives on the installation. So for that 80 percent that’s coming to the Lawton Fort Sill area to serve our nation, we want to make sure they have affordable, quality properties.”

Spencer-Ragland said the home is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, fully-furnished duplex, but it’s not the only style.

“As it continues to grow, you’re gonna see different designs, we’ll see cottages,” Spencer-Ragland said. “We’ve got retirees, we’ve got widows, we’ve got individuals making $944 a month. And they need affordable housing. And we’re prepared to do that. Not everyone’s buying, some want to rent.”

Willard Barnett, owner of Builders Investment Group (BIG), said they try to build houses that everybody can afford.

“Everybody’s going to cottages,” Barnett said. “Nobody’s built a house here in 20 years under $200,000.”

Spencer-Ragland said the rent will be $1,200 per month for an unfurnished duplex and $1,800 per month for a furnished one.

Barnett said they have 19 duplexes under construction and seven completed within the Lawton View area. There will be three or four different floor plans for renters to choose from.

Onreka Johnson, former Ward 7 council member, said the lots were owned by Lawton Urban Renewal Authority, which is where an old building is either demolished or remodeled into a newer building. The lots were then purchased by Barnett.

“When I was on the council, we voted to allow for lots to be smaller to build on,” Johnson said. “It’s typically a 50-foot lot that most of the houses are built on, but these are 25-foot lots.”

Johnson said even though there hasn’t been a lot of development in the area, this isn’t the first duplex that has been built.

“This is great, because it brings up the property value of the area and it’s a sense of pride,” Johnson said. “Typically, people view this area as a dangerous place and it’s really not. These are people that have been living in this community for a long time. It brings a light to the area to let people know that this is a great place to live like any other place in town.”

Spencer-Ragland said the duplex is designed to meet the diverse needs of the community.

“When I say diversity, (it) may be those that are traveling here for school for three … nine months,” Spencer-Ragland said. “It may be for the person that’s PCSing out and needs to ship their furniture, but they need a furnished duplex.”

Spencer-Ragland said they’re not focused only on the military.

“We want to make sure that we’re providing affordable housing,” Spencer-Ragland said. “But when you look at the community and their needs, it’s diverse. Military often need that short-term rental where you’re working with the local community. The residents here, they’re looking for a long-term lease.

“When we see a community that is blended and we’re celebrating and we’re living together, we are more resilient,” Spencer-Ragland said. “We try to bridge the gap to meet all the needs of the community, regardless if you’re traveling or want to be here long-term.”