MOUNT VERNON — In March, KnoxPages.com reported that if funding came through, Meadow Ridge low income apartments on Follin Avenue would undergo a complete rehabilitation in 2018. At Monday’s council meeting, Robert Bender of Provident Companies gave details of the project.
“One thing that really changes the atmosphere is when you completely redo a property,” he said, adding that residents take on a sense of pride and ownership. “The biggest thing I look forward to is adding safety.”
The complex has 48 units: 16 one-bedroom and 32 two-bedroom.
Interior upgrades include:
*New kitchens, bath, flooring, interior doors and trim
*ENERGY STAR appliances and lights
*ENERGY STAR heating and central air with smart thermostats
Exterior upgrades include:
*New exterior doors, roofs, siding
*Add porches to all units
*New community building, to include an office, exercise room, and library and computer room
*Reconfigure service building for accessibility and change office to maintenance
*Add 18 security cameras
*Replace curbs, pave parking lot and driveway, add new parking spots at community building
*Replace walks and add handicapped curb ramps
*New walk to existing public sidewalk
*Rebuild existing trash enclosures
*New grills and picnic tables
*New covered mail boxes
*Replace existing eight lights with solar LED
*Repair basketball court, replace and add playground equipment
*New walking path into and around adjacent recreation area with benches
*Soccer field in adjacent recreation area
*Community garden
*New entrance sign
Bender said rehabilitation will begin the end of July 2018 and take about a year. When it is finished, all single-story units will have a zero-threshold entry. Five units are designed for handicap households; one unit will be designed as hearing and visually impaired.
Bender said that $35,000 has been allocated to help residents relocate into other units during rehabilitation. Management is allowing units to go empty as residents move. Currently, four are empty; the goal is to have 12 empty when rehabilitation begins.
The complex will have full-time management on staff Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Full-time maintenance personnel will be on call.
Two public meetings are scheduled to share information about the project: Thursday at 6 p.m. at Dan Emmett Elementary School and Friday at 1 p.m. at Meadow Ridge Apartments, apartment 724-3.