Community Overview
 
     The Rongelap Atoll community is a project with many pieces.  The only buildings left standing on the atoll after many years were in various states of disrepair.  The new community is being built from the ground up in several phases.  The end result will be village of new homes and facilities with a community center as its focus.
 
     The Phase 1 plan started in January, 1998.  The goal was to develop basic utilities including an airstrip, power plant and freshwater system. Phase 1 projects that are now complete include:
 
bullet Power Plant with two 225 kilowatt generators
bullet Desalinization Plant and 40,000 gallon fresh water storage
bullet Warehouse Facility (2,000 sq. ft.)
bullet Maintenance Facility
bullet Field Station with kitchen, food storage, dining area and recreation room
bullet WBC Building
bullet Rongelap Church
bullet Airstrip reclamation & resurfacing
bullet Community Area (38 acres)
bullet Special Housing on Ebeye and Majuro (33 homes)
bullet Medium Draft Dock
bullet Airport Terminal Building
bullet Reverse Osmosis Water Plant
 
     The Phase 2 plan was begun in July 2002 and includes:
 
bullet Family Housing - fifty 4-bedroom homes
bullet Water Reservoir (500,000 gallons) with pumping station
bullet Dispensary, Hospital and Doctors Residence
bullet School Building and Teacher's Residences
bullet Library, Town Hall & Public Administration Building
bullet Public Safety Building
bullet Port Authority Building
bullet Airport Terminal and Control Building
bullet Multi-purpose Recreation Building & Grounds
bullet Refueling Station
bullet Outer Island Shelters
As of 2005, the housing construction is underway. Initially 5 houses are being built followed by 10 more in 2006. 
 
The reservoir currently includes two 50,000 gallon tanks which will be increased according to the demand of the population
 
The airport terminal and runway are complete and operational.
 
The fuel farm has been completed.
 
 
     The buildings being constructed on Rongelap Atoll are designed to meet internationally accepted standards in the use of appropriate materials, safety and durability. All are expected to have a minimum 30-year lifespan. Major environmental problems, such as the corrosive action of salts and stress of high winds, are accommodated in the building design.

Long-term conservation is also an important issue. Where possible, natural properties of shade and ventilation are used to cool buildings. Solar systems are used to heat water.