Stimulus funds upgrade for South Maple Apartments

Federal stimulus funding totaling over three quarters of a million dollars is to be used to make a variety of needed improvements to South Maple Apartments in Shelbyville. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Order this photo]

Over three quarters of a million dollars in federal stimulus money is planned to be used for improvements to South Maple Apartments by the Shelbyville Housing Authority.

It's part of $4 billion that is being used in an effort to create jobs by fixing up public housing projects across the nation. Shelbyville's cut of that money is $829,593.

Authority director Hershel Thrasher said that once the housing authority knew the dollar amount of the stimulus money, plans were submitted to the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

According to Ronald Tillman, director of operations, most of the funding will be going to 46 units at South Maple.

"We have a five-year plan for everything we want to do for the housing authority," Tillman said, but explained that the federal stimulus money must be spent within two years.

Tillman also said he may take part of the stimulus money to pay for recent storm damage to roofs at Purdy Court housing, but grant money that would be available later in the year could be substituted to handle the improvements to South Maple.

"It evens out," Tillman said.

A total of $89,000 worth of painting and patching work is planned for the 46 apartments, plus $82,750 for new central heat and air units to replace the window air conditioners currently in each apartment.

Water meters for the 46 units will also be installed at a cost of $35,500, which will allow tenants to be responsible for their own bills. Shutters, or "curb appeal" will also be added to the apartments at a cost of $22,250 and new gutters and downspouts are to be added at a cost of $15,000.

Twelve of the apartments may undergo a redesign to add doors to units that only have one entrance and exit and adding a bedroom at a cost of $170,092. However, Tillman said to do that, they would probably lose four of the units to the upgrade, reducing to the number to eight.

Beautification is another project planned, with brick and siding work for the six buildings in the complex costing $32,000 and new windows for the 46 units totaling $75,000. Electrical renovation would take $23,000, which would add overhead lights to apartments.

The installation of water heaters for all 46 units will cost $20,000 and expenses for roofs and accessories for the apartments are slated to cost $81,342.

Parking issues at the complex will also be addressed, Tillman said, with $90,000 earmarked to add another lot, due to residents' concerns.

Administrative and professional work will cost a total of $92,959, according to documents submitted to HUD by the housing authority.

Thrasher also pointed out that a total of $193,250 of the stimulus funding, will be going to "green" energy conservation measures.