Officials celebrate Char House’s $4.5M renovation project

By TAYLOR BROWN
Senior Reporter
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Home sweet home took on more of a meaning for residents of Char House thanks to a $4.5 million renovation project.
On Wednesday, local and county leaders were joined by federal and state officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the year-long renovation. They also got to meet the many long-time residents of the Charleroi high rise who are getting to enjoy upgraded, modern facilities.
The renovations were paid for through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development loan, which allows for long-term mortgages (up to 35 years) that can be financed with Government National Mortgage Association Mortgage-Backed Securities.
This eligibility for purchase in the secondary mortgage market improves the availability of loan funds and permits more favorable interest rates.
Proceeds from the refinancing were used to fund the renovations, that will help sustain the facility for the next 40 years.
The Char House, built in 1979, sits at the site of the former Charleroi Ninth Street School.
Run by the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County, 104 senior residents call the high-rise home.
For the past year, renovations have been made inside and outside the facility to make life a bit more modern, comfortable, accessible and safer for them.
Those residents, and everyone involved in the renovations, were celebrated Wednesday and got to see first hand the improvements.
RACW Executive Director Robert Griffin said the multi-million dollar project began last February.
It involved the replacement of the major mechanical and electrical systems; plumbing and sanitary sewer systems; new common area flooring and painting; a renovated community room kitchen and public restrooms; renovated apartment kitchens, bathrooms and new patio doors and windows; and paved parking lot.
It also upgraded exterior doors, replaced all light fixtures with LEDs and made the facilities ADA accessible.
Each of the 104 units in the high rise received upgraded kitchens and bathrooms and new floors, windows and doors both inside and leading to private patios were installed, the hallways were painted and common areas also received upgrades to make them more functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Apartments each have one bedroom and includes a combination living room/dining room, a bathroom, and a kitchen equipped with an electric range and refrigerator. Each apartment is individually heated and air conditioned and has its own balcony. Additionally, all apartments contain smoke detectors, emergency pull cords, and an intercom system connected to the front entrance doors.
The facility features on-site management and maintenance, indoor mail delivery, elevator access, community and TV rooms, laundry facilities, supportive services, and public transportation.
Before the ribbon was cut, long-time residents Anna Raymond (28 years), Bill Downer (24 years), Millie Allfree (27 years), June Wood (20 years) and Mary Hasch (25 years) were each given a plaque and flowers for choosing to call the high rise home for so much of their lives.
“We don’t have any complaints,” Allfree said. “We’re happy.”

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