Dogwood Manor is located at 959 Gateway Ave.A Chattanooga company will begin work June 1 on a $5 million renovation of Dogwood Manor, a high-rise apartment building for seniors near downtown.
Chattanooga Housing Authority board members selected P&C Construction for the 18-month project.
"We will have brand-new windows, brand-new [heating and air conditioning], new floors, all units painted and a majority of new appliances," said Naveed Minhas, CHA's vice president of development. Renovations also will include new sewer lines, a more handicap-accessible common kitchen area and a new public bathroom on the first floor.
The money for the work comes from proceeds of the sale of the Harriet Tubman development property, CHA's replacement housing funds, and capital fund grants.
When the renovation is complete, the 18-floor, 136-unit Dogwood Manor will join the housing authority's other high-rise buildings for seniors in the downtown area: Gateway Towers, Boynton Terrace and Mary Walker Towers.
P&C Construction was one of three companies that submitted bids. P&C was the "lowest responsible and responsive bidder," according to the housing authority resolution recommending the company.
CHA purchased Dogwood from the city in January 2013.
The purchase allows the authority to convert the building from Housing Choice voucher housing to public housing. The conversion means that CHA will get 116 vouchers that it can use to house other people.
Dogwood resident Shirley Ryals, 65, is excited for the work to begin.
" I want more cabinet space, closets with sliding doors and I'd like to have a door on my bedroom for privacy," she said.
People living on the top three floors of Dogwood already have relocated to other apartments.
Moving wasn't easy for everyone, Ryals said.
CHA board Chairman Eddie Holmes said the residents' move is only temporary. They will be able to return when the renovation is complete.
"None of them are evicted," he said. "We will give them all an opportunity to come back."
Contractors will renovate the top floor first. And it's likely that residents living on the 15th floor will move into the 18th floor when it's complete, Minhas said.
Renovating the floors will take about three months each.
"It's worth [temporarily] moving to me," said 62-year-old Calvin Peterson, a Dogwood resident for nearly five years. "It's like I'm getting a new apartment."
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.