WHA Upgrading Properties after Winter Damage

WINTHROP – The Winthrop Housing Authority is seeking bids to repair some of its properties that were damaged by the record-breaking winter and to upgrade the energy efficiency of others.

According to Peg Lyons, executive director of the Winthrop Housing Authority, said they have spent over $3 million on its property in the last few years. Funded through state and federal grants the WHA has 429 apartments to oversee, of those 348 are intended for use by the elderly, handicapped and disabled.

“Over the past few years we have upgraded Golden Drive to be more energy efficient,” she said. “Roofing work helps augment our weatherization.”

The WHA has put out to bid over $265,000 worth of work to include roofing, flashing, door and window replacement at Golden, Overlook and Kennedy drives. Another project the WHA is doing is the installation of solar panels on Kennedy Road.  The $69,000 project will be paid for through a state grant. Six solar panels will be installed at Governor King Gardens. Lyons said there will also be $90,000 worth of asphalt work done at the properties.

“Our concern is keeping these old buildings standing,” Lyons said. “A lot of our roofs took a beating.

The Golden Drive property was built in the 1970s. The Fort Bank Apartments was built in the 1980s. Kennedy Drive housing was built in the 1980s and the original housing authority property at Viking Garden was built in the 1960s.

Lyons said construction is expected to begin June 1.

Sue Ellen Woodcock can be reached at suewoodcock@reverejournal.com.