Grant helps spruce up apartments

Frey

First Financial Bank awarded Southern Indiana Housing Community Development Corp. (SIHCDC) a $10,000 grant for a renovation of Town and Garden Apartments in Columbus. The grant was awarded on Aug. 5, 2022, and the completed work was presented at the Dec. 2 SIHCDC board meeting.

Town and Garden Apartments, 428 Pearl St., consists of 10 rent-restricted affordable units of senior housing for those age 55 and older. There are six 1-bedroom and four efficiencies and the facility is currently fully occupied.

The building was constructed in 1964 and although some repairs were completed about five years ago when SIHCDC acquired the property, there were many updates needed to improve the quality of life of these residents according to the development corporation.

The grant from First Financial provided money for the following improvements:

• Carpet replacement in five of the 10 units to eliminate trip hazards for seniors.

• Carpet replacement in the common area where residents gather to watch television. This carpet was thick and is a large transition from the vinyl flooring areas. This also eliminated a trip hazard for residents.

• Entryway flooring replacement in units, the flooring is older and in rough shape as well as causing a potential trip hazard for the residents.

• New ground fault interrupter outlets installed in 2 units.

• Two exterior cameras purchased and installed to enhance tenant security.

• Lighting upgrade to LED, the lighting was old and dim in the kitchen areas of these apartments as well as the common area. The new lighting helps provide better viability and safer environment for the seniors.

• New accessible front door and 10 automatic openers to assist with ease of entry.

• New valves and piping to hot water heaters.

Eric Frey, SIHCDC executive director, said the partnership with First Financial to upgrade the facility provided the tenants with an opportunity to access affordable and safe housing that might not be otherwise available without the assistance of the grant.

“I am very excited about this investment in the community and housing opportunities for low-to moderate income families as well into the Lincoln Central Neighborhood,” said Diane Doup, SIHCDC board president and Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center community outreach director.