$3.4 Million Stimulus Grant to Green-Retrofit Public Housing Units

Sept. 25, 2009

$3.4 Million Stimulus Grant Will Green-Retrofit Marcos de Niza Public Housing Units

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Phoenix $3.4 million in competitive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants that will allow the city of Phoenix Housing Department to make public housing units more energy efficient.  The $3,408,000 “stimulus” grant will green-retrofit the 374 Marcos de Niza units at 305 W. Pima St.

The project will follow Green Operations and Maintenance practices, which include using low or no-volatile organic compound paints and adhesives, urea/formaldehyde-free composite wood and green label certified floor coverings. 

Other energy-efficient features include geothermal/ground coupled heat pumps, xeriscape landscaping, low-flow faucet, shower and toilet fixtures and photovoltaic collectors that will generate electricity by capitalizing on the many south-facing rooflines.

“This is another reason why we’ve been working so hard to bring stimulus funds to Phoenix,” said Mayor Phil Gordon. “These funds fit right in with my 17-point Green Phoenix plan and will help improve our community, save energy and put people to work.”

“Both the city and Phoenix families living at this property will benefit from the energy-efficient upgrades and modifications that this grant will provide,” said Councilman Michael Nowakowski, chair of the Housing and Neighborhoods Subcommittee. “We are committed to creating an energy-efficient community and, with the help of this grant, we are one step closer to our goal.”

Construction is targeted to begin in July 2010 and be complete by September 2011.

To learn more about the stimulus funds Phoenix has received to date, visit phoenix.gov/recovery.

 

Media Contact:

Marcie Colpas 602-262-6164