April 2, 2010

$2.1M stimulus shot for Kent housing

Image courtesy of ARC Architects [enlarge]

Some of the townhouses will get pitched roofs.

The King County Housing Authority began work this week on $2.1 million in improvements to Valli Kee, a 114-unit family public housing complex at 23401 104th Ave. S.E. in Kent. Federal stimulus dollars are funding the work.

The project will replace vinyl siding, roofs and windows on the 31-building complex, which was built in 1968. Apartments will get new doors and fluorescent exterior lights with daylight sensors.

Exterior improvements will include new textured surfaces in place of the vinyl siding and construction of gables above a third of the apartment entries to create a village-like look. KCHA will also add insulation in the attics and provide new seven trash/recycling enclosures.

Six of the townhouses will have their flat roofs replaced with pitched roofs. Four conventional apartments will be converted into ADA-compatible units, with modifications made to bathrooms, kitchens and living areas.

KCHA says the building envelopes are energy inefficient, and cause moisture and mold problems. The improvements are expected to reduce energy costs by 13 percent for the residents.

Photo courtesy of KCHA [enlarge]

Existing units have flat roofs and vinyl siding.

Work is set to be completed by December.

W.G. Clark Construction Co. is the general contractor for the building envelope improvements. ARC Architects is the designer.

The project team includes: Rehabitat Northwest, electrical contractor; Exterior Finishes LLC, siding, windows and doors; Scott Coatings, paint; Auburn Mechanical, hose bib plumbing and gas piping; Masterwork Roofing, roofing; Northstar Construction and Sheet Metal, gutters; and Village Framers Corp., alcoves and roof structure framing.

SKHS Architects will design and Rafn Co. will oversee the ADA unit conversions, which are set to begin in July.

The Obama administration has dedicated $4 billion to preserve and improve the country's public housing stock.