RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) is tickled green to celebrate the grand reopening of the Oscar E. Stovall Apartments in South Richmond.   The total overhaul of the 10-building, public housing complex complies with the EarthCraft Virginia Multifamily certification program, a voluntary green building program designed to reduce utility costs, protect the environment while providing healthy, comfortable housing.

RRHA showcased the renovated units and the community's updated new look at the grand reopening and ribbon cutting event Saturday, November 14^th at noon at 24^th and Bainbridge Streets in Richmond.

“We are very excited to welcome our residents back to this new and very much improved complex,” said Anthony Scott, RRHA Chief Executive Officer.  “Stovall’s renovation is part of our property management vision to build vibrant public housing communities.  This is the start of our efforts to demonstrate our work at reinvesting in Richmond neighborhoods, one step at a time." 

Stovall residents will come home to brand new improvements that include:

·        New kitchens and baths

·        New kitchen cabinets, new energy efficient appliances

·        New exterior and interior doors

·        New insulated windows

·        New exterior siding and trim work

·        New porches and concrete patios

·        New roofs

·        New plumbing and gas hot water heater

·        New insulation and weatherproofing materials

·        New landscaping and site improvements

·        Repairs to sidewalks

·        Repairs of site drainage problems

·        Energy efficiency upgrade to achieve ”Earthcraft House” Certification

Additionally, each unit is outfitted with ENERGY STAR-rated lights and appliances and all construction waste was recycled.  A new tot lot play area is planned for the complex.  Delivery is scheduled for early 2010.

Stovall’s 30 units, originally constructed in 1984, were completely gutted and renovated by Chester-based Canterbury Enterprises.  Renovations began in July 2008 and cost a total of approximately $2.5 million. Financing for the renovation was funded by public housing Capital Funds for modernization. 

“Our vision was to successfully revitalize this community and set a new standard for modernizing and improving our public housing inventory.  From the looks of this beautiful new complex, I’d say we achieved that vision.  And, it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our residents, the City of Richmond and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.”

Of the 30 families who lived in the Stovall complex prior to the renovation, 15 families have decided to return.  Stovall currently contains 27 two-bedroom units, two units have three bedrooms and there is a single four-bedroom unit. Each unit has an average of 880 square feet of living space, with varying floor plans. The two-level units have eat-in kitchens on the first floors, plus bedrooms and the bathroom on the second level.

About RRHA

RRHA plays a key role in assuring the City of Richmond's bright future and has been at the forefront of affordable housing community development for nearly 70 years. RRHA is the largest housing authority in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Authority serves nearly 10,000 residents and manages nearly 4,100 units through its Public Housing Program; and provides subsidized housing assistance to approximately 3,000 families through its Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. RRHA also manages neighborhood redevelopment and conservation programs throughout the City of Richmond. For more information, visit www.rrha.org. 

About EarthCraft Virginia

RRHA is proud to participate in EarthCraft Virginia, a partnership between Virginia Community Development Corp. and Southface Energy Institute. The EarthCraft green builder program, which provides a blueprint for environmentally friendly building, began a decade ago in Atlanta. As of 2007, in Georgia alone EarthCraft multifamily certified more than 500 units and had 700 units in progress. In this program, builders use carpet containing recycled materials and use concrete with fly ash as well as cellulose insulation. Residents and building owners are educated on how the systems work to save money and reduce the burden on the environment.