Daytona Beach - Housing officials have HOPE for more improvements

By John Bozzo Journal Online.com

DAYTONA BEACH -- With three successes under their belt, Housing Authority officials here are considering tackling another demolition-and-reconstruction project.

Five older public housing developments in the city need more than $13 million in upkeep, but annual maintenance funding from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department runs about $1 million.

"Even if I got the same thing for 10 years, I could never catch up," said Joyours "Pete" Gamble, Daytona Beach Housing Authority chief executive officer.

Gamble plans to ask the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners in January to select the most-needy development as a target for another demolition-and-reconstruction grant.

The timing might be good.

Much of the nation's public housing was built during the Great Depression in the 1930s, and, once again, federal officials are considering infrastructure projects to stimulate an economy in crisis.

"If the administration authorizes more funding, it could provide opportunities for housing authorities," Gamble said.

Two possible targets for reconstruction are the Windsor and Maley apartments on South Beach Street, which are reserved for elderly and disabled people.

"I would like to see a new building for the elderly," Gamble said.

The Windsor and Maley are both 13-story towers, with 150 units each and dramatic views of the Halifax River. Developers have contacted the Housing Authority in better economic times, asking to rebuild the towers, possibly as luxury condos with public housing for the elderly and disabled built elsewhere.

"That's something we're interested in," Gamble said.

John Kretzer, vice chairman of the Daytona Beach Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, said the recent successful demolition-and-reconstruction projects should help get another grant.

"We have a good reputation with HUD," he said, adding that the three Daytona Beach projects demolished and rebuilt with $24.6 million in grants from the federal HOPE VI program were "under budget and on time."

The HOPE VI projects replaced aging, deteriorating apartments with modern townhouse communities: Pine Haven on Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard; The Villages at Halifax on International Speedway Boulevard; and Lakeside Village on South Street.

Although Congress might approve more funding for HOPE VI, the economy could "hurt, hinder or slow down" the program, Gamble said. More HERE