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Utah's two oldest public housing complexes for seniors can expect lower utility bills because of new shower heads, new sliding glass doors and new water pipes, thanks to millions of dollars in federal funds announced Wednesday.
The housing authorities of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County unveiled a $2.5 million stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to retrofit two senior citizen high-rises near 2000 South and 200 East with energy savers such as new boilers, windows and toilets.
"When you hear folks say the stimulus money is not going to worthy projects," Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker said, "this is an example to the contrary."
The two buildings -- home to almost 300 residents -- were constructed in 1975 to provide affordable housing for seniors and were the first of their kind in Utah.
Officials now hope to bring those decades-old residential towers into the 21st century with improvements that will cut cold-water consumption 65 percent and hot-water use 22 percent. Heating bills are expected to drop 26 percent, and cooling bills by 13 percent.
The project will last about two years, but displace no residents of either City Plaza or the Senior Citizens High Rise.
"It is time for an upgrade," said Kerry Bate, executive director of the Salt Lake County Housing Authority.
In addition to the grant money announced Wednesday, the two housing authorities have received $2.5
Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon called the energy upgrades a helpful boost to the valley's economy that will put contractors to work and shave the utility bills of seniors.
"We look forward to our seniors living in more comfort," he said, "and saving a little money at the same time."
