08.10.12 Renovations to Howard County Housing’s Morningside Park Complete
August 10, 2012
Media Contacts: Kevin Enright, Director, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Tom Carbo, Director, Howard County Housing, 410-313-6318
Energy efficient HVAC units and rain gardens just some of the new additions
Renovations to Howard County Housing’s Morningside Park Complete
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Housing Commission is pleased to announce that year long renovations to Morningside Park, a 60-unit affordable senior housing community in Jessup owned by the Commission, are finally complete.
With the assistance of both state and federal funds, the Housing Commission installed 60 new energy efficient residential HVAC units, as well as common area HVAC units. The new 1.5 ton ENERGY STAR rated residential units use 40 percent less energy over the course of one year than the old units. Morningside Park is also now more efficient and “green” with the installation of ENERGY STAR ceiling light fixtures and energy efficient replacement bulbs installed throughout the building to help reduce utility costs. Renovations to a number of residential apartment units also included new floors and carpet, hardware, paint, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, countertops and ENERGY STAR appliances.
“I’m thrilled by all the improvements made at Morningside Park,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “Affordable housing, especially for our seniors, is a critical component to the quality of life in Howard County, and these improvements will make their lives more comfortable and save them money.”
Additionally, the common areas throughout Morningside Park were renovated with new flooring and carpet, paint, revised layouts and new furnishings throughout, and the community room received new carpet, paint and a new kitchen. New amenities to the property include a theater room, state-of-the art game/billiard room, library, resident business center, and a health and wellness suite. The elevator was also refurbished with a new cab, flooring and senior friendly lighting.
The Housing Commission also partnered with People Acting Together in Howard (PATH) and their READY (Restoring the Environment and Developing Youth) program members to develop green solutions to stormwater management issues at Morningside Park. In May, Howard County Government joined forces with PATH, and their partner the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, to create a new partnership to address two growing community concerns – youth employment and stormwater pollution. At Morningside Park, READY members designed and installed four rain gardens around the perimeter of the residential building. These rain gardens will not only help reduce the storm runoff that carries sediment and pollutants to our streams and the Chesapeake Bay, but also serve as beautiful amenities to the residents of Morningside Park. “The rain gardens, coupled with all the improvements made throughout Morningside, make the entire facility state-of-the-art in terms of energy efficiency and environmental protection,” said Tom Carbo, Director of Howard County Housing.
Morningside Park currently has 10, one bedroom units available for rent at a cost of $740 per month and includes utilities. For more information on Morningside Park housing opportunities, please call 410-880-5850.