SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin Housing Authority (SHA) will once again work with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) on the building now known as Madison Court Apartments.
Executive director Ron Miller reported at the authority's board meeting Thursday he will meet with PHFA executive director Brian Hudson next month in Harrisburg to see if funds are available to help improve the former James Madison Hotel on Shamokin Street.
"We are going to see what programs are available to us," Miller told the board. "We hope there are some small energy grants or a grant to enhance the property."
It wouldn't be the first time the two have worked together. It was PHFA in 2009 who transferred the mortgage on the former Center City Apartments building, taken out by Red Gold Enterprises, Inc. and company president Eugene Picarella, to help collect on a $1 million defaulted mortgage. After a three-year legal battle, SHA acquired the property through Red Gold's bankruptcy proceedings.
"We've worked well together before and I hope we can do it again," Miller said.
Miller also reported a pre-bid conference will be held Monday for contractors interested in bidding on an upgrade to the fire alarm system at the Harold E. Thomas High Rise.
"We are doubling the amount of smoke detectors we have in the building, and switching from an analog to a digital system," Miller said. "We've had five contracting firms pick up drawings on the project, so we are encouraged by that turnout."
The board voted 4-0 to expand the number of tenants who can use Section 8 federal housing subsidies to help fill three vacancies at Madison Court Apartments. Approving the proposal were vice chair Suzanne Kopitsky and board members James Picarelli, Robert J. Wolfe, and Pamala Rhoades. Board Chairman Raymond Splane was absent.
Miller also reported that, as a resulted of an agreement that has been reached, members of the Shamokin Police Department are now doing security patrols for the Raspberry Hill housing complex.