GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As Green Bay continues its push to add affordable housing to the city, it’s looking to upgrade units it already has.
The Green Bay Housing Authority is hoping to secure federal funding to redevelop Mason Manor apartments on West Mason Street.
The public housing complex was built in 1971.
Residents of the eight-story building have been hearing about potential upgrades for the past two years.
“We’ve been waiting to get a pulse on it to see what they would decide to do,” said Donald Kuhr, who has lived at Mason Manor for four years. ”It will be something that will keep everyone on their toes.”
With help from a private developer and a consultant, the city has come up with a $17.17 million upgrade plan. That’s about $113,000 for each of the 152 units.
“It’s dated,” said Cheryl Renier-Wigg, the city’s deputy development director. “It’s like going into a house that is 50 years old that has been maintained, but lets face it, we’d like to do some upgrades, especially for the tenants’ needs.”
The plan includes essentials like replacing the roof, boiler, plumbing, and elevators. It also includes a wish list like a Wi-Fi system, fitness area, and remodeled common areas.
“It’s a very complicated project through HUD to get this through,” said Renier-Wigg. “We’re finally at a place where I think we can start to get some things finalized for our financing and actually start to move forward with planning and architecture and some of the things we want to do on the site.”
Despite the need for upgrades, there’s still a 3 to 6-month waitlist for Brown County residents wanting to live at Mason Manor. It’s 8 to 10 months for people outside of the county.
“Let’s face it, there’s a waitlist for affordable housing across the City of Green Bay, so we do have a waitlist,” said Renier-Wigg.
Current residents say they have concerns about construction impacts, but they’re looking forward to what could be on the way.
“It’s going to be a major upgrade, but I think it will be nice when they’re done,” said Kuhr.
The city hopes to apply for financing early next year and close on the project by August, with construction to follow.
Following federal rules, 85 percent of Mason Manor’s residents are older or disabled.
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