The Brent Tinnin Apartments could see a more than $3 million renovation after nearly 40 years of serving low income seniors.
The project from RCH Development would depend on receiving low income housing tax credits, according to information presented to the Poplar Bluff City Council, which passed a resolution Monday in support of the effort.
Chard Hartle of RCH presented the project to council at their Aug. 1 meeting.
The Greenwood Drive property consists of 48 one-bedroom apartments for seniors.
RCH would partner with the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency to not only rehabilitate the property, but also add services, Hartle said.
“If we get this approved, we’ll put in central heat and air, new floors, doors, roof and windows,” Hartle said, adding the property is also undergoing a financial restructuring.
It will continue to serve low income seniors, if the project is approved for tax credits, but with an added emphasis on helping seniors with developmental disabilities.
Council member Robert Smith commented that the property is in bad condition and this is a needed change.
Hartle said current management is doing the best they can with the tools available to them, but that major upgrades are needed, including dealing with a chronic roof problem.
Hartle said he believes this project will do well in the point system established for low income housing tax credits.
He added that if it is not approved this year, it would have a better chance at succeeding in the next round of funding.
The state is able to fund about one-quarter of the requests for resources it receives each year, Hartle said.
“It’s very competitive,” he explained, adding that support from city officials will help the project’s chances of moving forward.
The project is expected to cost about $6 million, with approximately $3 million spent on renovations, according to information presented to the council.
“Back in the day, these apartments were built with state of the art technology and all the conveniences that were used 40 years ago,” Hartle said. “(This) will offer a lot of modern conveniences these folks haven’t had.”
Hartle said this is similar to a project RCH is working on in Cape Girardeau at this time.
He said he’s partnered with nonprofit agencies for about 10 years on developments and it works very well.
“What I’m finding from the agencies that we partner with is that they need stable housing to administer their services with their population,” he said.
This complex also offers full rent assistance, allowing the property to serve the very low income seniors in the community, Hartle said.
Council member Barbara Ann Horton did not vote on the item, citing a conflict of interest.
In other business, the council:
• Voted to maintain the current tax levy at .6136 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in 2022. This includes .5162 cents for the general revenue fund and .0974 cents for the police and firemen’s pension fund.