SAHA targets mold at senior complex

June 6, 2008

Web Posted: 06/05/2008 09:59 PM CDT By Josh Baugh

jbaugh@... The San Housing Authority's board of

commissioners Thursday approved up to $3.6 million to remediate mold

contamination at a near-North Side senior apartment complex.

Work at the Blanco Apartments, 906 W. Huisache Ave., will begin when

contracts are signed with Flagship PDG, SAHA officials said, and should be

completed by the end of the year.

The housing authority began moving out all the residents of the 100-unit

complex in late February — among them Commissioner Stella Molina.

In December, SAHA began replacing the complex's heating and cooling

systems in unrelated work when some residents reported mold in their units. A

severe type of mold — stachybotrys — was found in the air of 28 units.

At a Feb. 20 meeting with residents, SAHA President Henry Alvarez said he

had “real concerns” about most of the units and ordered work done to meet air

quality standards. The authority chose to fix every apartment.

On Thursday, board Chairman Ramiro Cavazos commended the authority's

quick response.

“Staff had a community meeting there and was very vigilant in moving

residents out,” he said. “This is a lesson that we need to move quickly when

people are in harm's way.”

Flagship PDG will conduct an “environmental remediation” of the floors,

walls and ceilings in all kitchens and bathrooms and replace all kitchen

cabinets and fan coil units, which are located in the apartments' bathroom

ceilings. The work will also include new flooring and paint.

Commissioner Noah said the company was vetted by a board

subcommittee.

“They are experts in this type of remediation,” he said.

Cavazos said the board conducted a background check on Flagship PDG and

was satisfied by the company's track record. He said the company has a niche in

environmental work with housing authorities.

Flagship PDG submitted a bid of $2.85 million, and a 25 percent

contingency was added to bring the contract to $3,562,500. The only other bidder

was Gibraltar Construction Co., which submitted a bid of $4.99 million.

Blanco Apartments residents initially were concerned with the logistics of

moving from their homes, but the housing authority assured them they would face

no financial impact.

Molina told her fellow commissioners Thursday that she was pleased

with the process.

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