In late March, MPHA completed a $10 million renovation of Hamilton Manor, a 220-unit senior-designated public housing high-rise in the Camden neighborhood. In close coordination with the building’s resident council, the agency worked to reduce resident disruptions with a construction schedule that sought to address needed upgrades to systems and apartments in a single, comprehensive rehab project rather than making numerous smaller improvements over the course of many years. The entire $10 million came from the agency’s annual HUD capital funding.

Work at the building included replacing various interior piping lines, updating and improving the building’s fire safety systems including installing fire sprinklers, rewiring HVAC and ventilation systems, updating lighting throughout the property, replacing plumbing and updating in-unit kitchens and bathrooms, sealing windows to prevent heat loss, and painting resident units and community spaces. The agency also repaired the building’s exterior and added additional security lighting around the property.

“The successful $10 million renovation of Hamilton Manor, on the heels of the historic $27 million renovation of the Elliot Twins and the ongoing Family Housing Expansion Project, is a testament to the capabilities of MPHA staff to manage many large projects at once,” said Abdi Warsame, Executive Director/CEO of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. “Central to all these projects is the resident experience and outcomes, and the agency continues to prioritize the people it serves when planning its work. By working closely with residents, the agency can develop comprehensive plans that minimize resident disruption while maximizing livability improvements in its work.”

Resident Debra Brunner described herself as skeptical upon the project’s announcement, noting she liked the location of her apartment. But, since the initial stages of the renovation started, she couldn’t have been happier with the process, the workers she encountered throughout, and the end result.

“The new apartments are beautiful, and I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Brunner. “I love my new apartment. It’s like having a brand-new place.” Brunner noted the new kitchen cabinets, light fixtures, and replacement blinds were notably the favorite aspects of the project among residents.

Hamilton Manor’s Melody Meyers echoed enthusiasm about the updates, particularly the new kitchen cabinets, added safety bars in the shower, and the window blind replacements.

“When they put up the blinds, it made the whole apartment look brand new!” said Meyers.

Meyers had nothing but good things to say about the permanent building staff, project workers, and the communication of information along the way.

“They did a good job scheduling meetings and sharing updates,” said Meyers. “The maintenance people were great. The contractors were wonderful. I always asked a lot of questions every time I saw them, and they explained things to me.”

The agency had a goal of completing work in a single unit in four weeks or less, which allowed the agency to complete the entire project in nine months. Further, because of the phased, comprehensive nature of the rehabilitation, the agency was able to move nearly all residents from units slated for work into newly upgraded units. And with each relocation, residents were offered either funding to coordinate their own move or an option for MPHA to coordinate and cover all associated moving costs on their behalf.

As a part of the project plan, the agency plans for one-year and two-year checkups with residents and building staff to ensure improvements are functioning as intended and that the agency addresses any unforeseen issues that arise.

This $10 million investment in Hamilton Manor is an example of MPHA’s commitment to preserving existing high-rise buildings and using residents’ input to guide where and how the investment is made. Such improvements further the agency’s mission to deliver quality, well managed homes to a diverse, low-income population contributing to the well-being of the individuals, families, and community MPHA serves.