Those participating in the groundbreaking are, from left, Eric Novak, Praxis Consulting; Mike Dang, chief of Programs for Nevada Housing Division; Perry Comeaux, president of Nevada Rural Housing, Inc.; Willis Swan, chairman of the Nevada Rural Housing Authority (NRHA) Board of Commissioners; C.J. Manthe, CFO of NRHA; Gary Longaker, executive director of NRHA.
A groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday ushered in the rehabilitation of the Sunridge Quarters Apartments on Auction Road.
The Nevada Rural Housing Authority is overseeing the renovation of the 48-unit affordable housing development, which was constructed in 1977 under the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development section 515 program. The family development is open to households with incomes at or below 50 percent of area median income.
Former Fallon Councilman Willis Swan, whose ward included the complex, is chairman of the NHRA Board of Commissioners. He said the board approved last year a comprehensive renovation plan for Sunridge Quarters.
Gary Longaker, NHRA’s executive director, said this a major renovation project that will also add ground-floor patios and second-floor balconies.
“We’ll also have landscaping and a community garden, and we’ll improve on the children’s playground,” he said.
He also said carpeting will be replaced and the heating and ventilation systems will be upgraded. Additionally, Longaker said solar panels will be installed on the roofs.
“This project will cost just under $5 million,” he added.
According to the NHRA, the apartments will receive new cabinets, countertops, paint, floors, appliances and unit storages; site security will be increased; new common space amenities will be added including a multi-purpose room with kitchenette, computer lab, business center, library and supportive services office and enhance accessibility for the disabled.
The project is expected to take one year to complete.
Lisa Dayton, NRHA real estate project manager, said the USDA is pleased with the renovation plans for the project, and she is also acknowledged the additional funding from the Nevada Housing Division, Enterprise Community Investment, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of America and Southwest Gas.