“We’ve got some leaks and it needs replaced,” she said.
The roof replacement has been in the organization’s five-year plan, Hunter said. With the leakage this spring, it became a bit more urgent, she added.
SMHA signed a contract Thursday and work is expected to begin later this month. The roof replacement is expected to be completed by Dec. 1.
“We want to get it done before the seasons really start to change here,” said SMHA Executive Director Par Tolliver.
Earlier this summer, the organization completed its $1.3 million project at Cole Manor on Burnett Road to repair deteriorating walkways, ceilings and stairwells at the property.
Part of the nine-story building has been fenced off since 2006 because of safety concerns due to problems with concrete on the exposed ceilings and walkways. But once work was completed, the fence was removed, Hunter said.
SMHA provides 640 public housing units for more than 1,000 people throughout Springfield. The agency owns and operates five apartment complexes: Robert C. Henry Homes, Cole Manor, Hugh Taylor Apartments, Grayhill Apartments, Sherman Court and Murray Apartments.
It also owns Lincoln Park Circle, which is managed by a different organization, as well as scattered sites throughout the city.
The roof replacement is a good project, said resident Paul Rife, who has lived in the building for about three months. He was unaware of the leaking on the third floor.
“It’s a good thing to do before it starts leaking more,” Rife said.
About the Author
