Concord Housing and Redevelopment is all set to launch several new projects in one of its older public housing buildings – “John F. Kennedy” building – this summer.
Concord’s John F. Kennedy is located at One Thompson Street. The $500,000 project will involve renovations, energy updates, painting, landscaping and more throughout the summer to give the building a fresh look, and make it an energy efficient and ADA compliant home.
John Hoyt, the Executive Director of Concord Housing and Redevelopment, points out, “The renovation is to make sure that the building is viable for the long-term and is as modern as we can possibly make it. That helps decrease our operational costs and it makes life for our residents easier”.
This revamp is expected to turn attention to some major infrastructure that hasn’t been touched since 1964. As part of the project, Maine-based Pine State Elevator, Co. has been awarded a $200,000 contract to update and modernize the building’s two 50-year-old elevators. The elevator systems were built and installed in 1965. Workers from Pine State Elevator, Co. will be using the entire original machine, including the gears that turn the shifts and cables as well as the original sling. In addition, the revamp will include the addition of numerous safety features, installation of microprocessor controls and bringing the elevator up to current ADA compliance.
Elevator reconstruction will make the accessibility systems faster and more energy efficient. Residents can reach the different floors quicker and it will save waiting times for them as well as building employees. The lift doors will open faster and will be equipped with infrared scanners to stop the doors (if required). Apart from the elevator upgrades, other projects include rebuilding the two entrances to meet modern accessibility standards.
Built in 1964, the John F. Kennedy Building has 88 units spread across ten floors. Two elevators service the building. The building includes studio and one and two bedroom units for elderly and disabled people. It also has community room, on-site parking, and coin-operated laundry facilities. A Visiting Nurses Association Health Clinic, convenient bus stop located just outside and easy walking access to the downtown area are features that make this property an attractive one.
Travis McDuffie, Pine State’s Service Manager says, “It’s always fun to take an old elevator and make it as new as it can be. The elevator in the Kennedy Building will be a challenge to update”.
The elevator renovation project is expected to be completed towards the middle of November.