At Ballard Green and Prospect Ridge, $20 million in work nears completion

By: Macklin Reid

The Ridgefield Press, September 28, 2009

A giant check represents $3.9 million in state grants toward a $20 million in refurbishing and new construction at the Ballard Green and Prospect Ridge housing sites. From left are: Susan Nolan, Housing Authority finance administrator; Nanette Bracken, the Authority’s vice chairwoman; Ellen Scott, Ballard Green manager; Anne Morrisroe of the tenants commission; State Rep. John Frey; Diana Burgos, executive director; and Philip Bergquist, Housing Authority chairman. —Macklin Reid photo

New and refurbished units are being occupied, some are being used as “swing units” while work finishes up in older units, and what totals up as a $20 million expansion and renovation project at the Ridgefield Housing Authority’s Ballard Green and Prospect Ridge properties.

“They’re in the last phases at both Prospect Ridge and Ballard,” said State Rep. John Frey, who conceived the project and worked Hartford’s political and bureaucratic labyrinth for years to bring it about.

When more than a year of construction is finished later this fall — November’s the target date for completion — Ballard Green’s housing for the elderly complex will have expanded from 66 to 78 units, and the Prospect Ridge will have had its 34 senior citizen congregate units and 20 older family housing units all refurbished. In a separate project completed last year 20 new family “work force” housing units were added along Prospect Ridge Road.

The Housing Authority is starting to fill the new units.

“They’re becoming available now,” said Harvey Edelstein of Real Estate Diagnostics Inc., the consultant who has overseen the project. “We’re starting to screen and select residents.”

There’s a waiting list, and a state-approved formula to determine who qualifies for the subsidized housing. The formula takes some consideration of the urgency of applicants’ situation, and also awards some bonus points to Ridgefield residents, making it more likely they will get units.

“And, these really, really are affordable,” said Housing Authority member Nanette Bracken.”

Rents range from $250 to $850 a month, not including utilities.

“Tenants pay 30% of their income,” Ms. Bracken said.

The refurbishing work is “high efficiency green-type construction,” Mr. Frey said, including new roofs, new thermal windows, heavy insulation, and ‘on-demand’ gas heating and hot water,

“It was a complaint heating and hot water costs were going up,” Mr. Frey said.

Work is nearing completion on new and renovated units at Ballard Green.—Macklin Reid photo

For information on applying for units, contact Ellen Scott at 438-9845 concerning senior citizen units at Ballard Green and Diana Burgos at 431-9943 concerning congregate units at Prospect Ridge. Waiting lists are full for the “family units” with no age or disability requirements.

“I’m thrilled to see it come to fruition,” Rep Frey said of the rehabilitation and expansion project. “It’s an idea that I brought, actually to (former first selectman) Abe Morelli 11 years ago, and Rudy (Marconi, now first selectman) has been certainly equally supportive of it.

“But it’s taken 11 years to see this thing through and I’m quite pleased. I think it’s coming out great.”

Mr. Frey secured $3.9 million in direct state grant money for the project — an amount symbolized on a giant check he delivered to Housing Authorities members Monday, Sept. 21.

“We thank God for John,” said Housing Authority member Nanette Bracken. “He’s been so helpful and supportive.”

Much of the remainder of the needed money came from private sources through federal low income tax credits secured by Mr. Edelstein.

Through this program companies and even individuals can provide money for construction and for 83 cents donated they get to write off a dollar on their federal income taxes.

After two years of lobbying, Mr. Frey got a $50,000 grant for a study of Ballard Green nine years ago.

“That study, by (architect) David Coffin, determined there was room for 12 new units, and the old units, significant rehabilitation needed to be done.

“They were 32 years old and needed and to new roofs, windows, high efficiency green-type construction including ‘on-demand’ gas heating and hot water,” Mr. Frey said. “It was a complaint heating and hot water costs were going up.”

The amount of insulation was also greatly increased to make units more energy efficient and less expensive to heat.

“Every unit also had porticos added over doors, which prevents ice and snow build-up by doors,” Mr. Frey said.

The 12 new units are all “100% handicapped accessible”

The construction work, Mr. Frey admits, brought a bit of consternation into the lives of some residents.

“When you think of someone who has been in a unit for a period of time, especially someone who’s older or disabled, you’re going through in some cases two moves — to a temporary place and back home — it can be unnerving,” Mr. Frey said.

“It’s really gone very, very smoothly,” he added.

“I haven’t heard anything negative from the residents of Ballard Green as far as the end result.”

“Not only do they look nicer,” he said of the units, “but they’re going to be more energy efficient, so in the end it should be cheaper for the tenants to live there.”