Johnna Pinholster
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
Hudson Dockett is in the process of receiving a facelift.
The Valdosta Housing Authority is updating the exteriors of four buildings, as well as remodeling and expanding the community center, said Mark Stalvey, executive director of the Valdosta Housing Authority.
The work is being funded through two separate channels, though it is being done simultaneously.
Four of the residential developments are being fitted with hardy board on the exterior and will serve as a prototype for future exterior facelifts at the housing complex, Stalvey said.
The siding that is put up on each residential unit will be a different color, Stalvey said.
He feels the variety of color will make a big difference in updating the looks of the units. Residents have already expressed their pleasure in the new look, Stalvey said.
“Everybody is excited about how good the buildings look, and we are excited to bring it to our folks,” Stalvey said.
Work on the initial four will allow the Valdosta Housing Authority to see what works and what needs to be changed before more work is done, he said.
The four buildings are getting new roofs, siding, security screens, shutters and back patios — a complete facade makeover, he said.
Hudson Dockett has 270 units. Some buildings house four units, some house five and some house six units.
The cost of the facade makeover is $420,000, he said.
“That is paid for through our capital fund,” Stalvey said.
Each year, housing authorities receive funding that is specifically reserved for capital improvements to the properties.
The other job is part of stimulus funding received from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The community center is being completely remodeled and expanded. Off-street parking will also be added, along with green space, Stalvey said.
The green space will be acquired by closing in some alleyways and reconfiguring dumpsters, Stalvey said.
The project will cost $1.4 million, he said.
Once finished, the community center will double in size to more than 4,000 square feet, Stalvey said.
“It’s really nice, and we are very excited,” he said.
Both projects are entering the final phases of work, he said.
By mid-October, work on both projects should be completed, Stalvey said.
Work will also be done at Ora Lee West as part of the stimulus funding.
An alleyway at the development will be enlarged for a future community building, he said.
Quillian Powell is doing the work on the community center, while Southland Contracting is handling the facade work on the four residential buildings.
Stalvey has requested that both contractors utilize the residents to do the finishing work on both projects. Both contractors have said they would, Stalvey said.
“I don’t know exactly what they are going to be doing, but I provided a list of residents that are interested in doing the work,” Stalvey said.
