ARRA Funding Gives a Facelift to Public Housing in Tulsa

The Riverview Park apartment complex in west Tulsa is one of the Tulsa Housing Authority's (THA) properties and their third largest site. Built in the 1970s, the apartments look outdated and in serious need of a "facelift." THA is using ARRA funding to add new siding and trim, new roofing, new porches at the front and the entries of all buildings, and new architectural features such as columns, brick screen walls, gables and dormers. Current activities include demolition of existing siding and roofing; framing of new gables and roofs at the porch areas, and pouring concrete footings for the brick columns and walls.

In addition, there will be new asphalt and concrete work including the replacement of 3' sidewalks with new 4' sidewalks, which are wheelchair accessible, new approaches from the city streets, in curbs, new trash enclosures, new fencing enclosure at the maintenance yard and complete asphalt overlay and striping.

The officers of the Resident Council spoke on behalf of other residents and made the following comments about the renovation: "In the beginning we were upset because the work is loud and inconvenient but as things began to take shape I already feel happier and more at home even though the work is not finished. Now people want to live here instead of this just being a place to stay. People even walk up and ask us if there are any openings because it is becoming inviting and homey." The resident council officers went on to say that it is wonderful to see the complex get away from a "public housing" image and that they couldn't imagine a more comfortable place to live.