MOUNT VERNON — The 56 units in the Vernon Ridge Apartments complex will get a complete facelift in 2019. The HUD Section 8 complex was built in 1979.
“There’s been no substantial rehabilitation to them at all, so as a family property, it’s really seen some better days,” Robert Bender of The Provident Companies told city council members on Monday night.
Improvements to the units include new kitchens, baths, flooring, HVAC, and appliances. In addition to the rehabilitation, a new maintenance garage, fully accessible playground, and six new units will be built. Additional security cameras will also be installed.
“The biggest thing for me is creating a safer environment,” said Bender. “We have four cameras. Underneath those four cameras, we have perfect angles. Outside of those cameras, it’s a different story, and that is not how I want to run a property.”
Councilwoman Nancy Vail asked Bender what, if anything, he will do to correct the behavior of residents.
Citing drug use and domestic violence as examples, Bender said, “There are some things we are very strict on. I’m the first one to say ‘you need to leave’. We have strong people in place at the management level that don’t tolerate that kind of stuff.”
Bender pointed to his previous experience with the Apple Hill Apartments in Jackson. Before its rehabilitation, the complex averaged 30 incidents a month; now it is down to three.
“I think we’re going to bring entirely new life to that area,” he said. “I look at the trend record of the properties we have.”
The six new units will have two bedrooms and two baths. Four will be two story with a bathroom on the first floor; two will be completely handicapped accessible one-floor units. The handicapped accessible units will not be Section 8 housing; families of four making up to $50,000 will be eligible to rent.
Bender said the complex has 16 empty units. Those will be rehabbed first. As the rehab progresses, residents will move into the completed units.
The Provident Companies received a grant last year to rehab Vernon Ridge’s sister complex, Meadow Ridge Apartments. Bender said work on the 48 Meadow Ridge units should begin in September or October. It will take 10 to 12 months to do the rehab at Meadow Ridge and the same time frame for Vernon Ridge. When work is complete on Meadow Ridge, construction crews will move to Vernon Ridge.
“The two projects mean there’s several million dollars reinvested in that area,” said Bender.
Interior upgrades include:
- New kitchens, cabinets, bath, flooring, interior doors and trim, windows, blinds
- ENERGY STAR appliances and lights
- ENERGY STAR heating and central air with smart thermostats
- Specialties such as grab bars, medicine cabinets, doorstops, range hood fire extinguishers
- Drywall, painting, carpeting, plumbing, inspect electrical components, insulation
- Free Wi-Fi
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
- Add security cameras
- Repair, replace or install curbs, pave parking lot and driveway, add new parking spots
- Replace walks and add handicapped curb ramps
- Rebuild existing trash enclosures
- New grills and picnic tables
- New covered mail boxes
- Replace and add playground equipment
- New accessible sidewalk to playground
- Regrade for positive drainage
- New entrance sign
