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Catholic Charities
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

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June 09, 08

Public Information Office
Connie Blaney, APR, Public Information Director
405-523-3000

For Immediate Release

Tour of Columbia Square’s “Green” Project Demonstrates Energy Efficient Living

The renovation of Columbia Square Apartments in Lawton is receiving national recognition for its environmentally-friendly advent of “green” sustainable design approach.  A presentation and tour of the development and renovation of Columbia Square Apartments in Lawton was held on Friday, June 6 for approximately 60 representatives of Catholic Charities, Oklahoma Housing Finance Authority, Lawton city officials, members of the news media, Department of Housing and Urban Development/Oklahoma City, and other organizations.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, in partnership with Mercy Housing, Inc. and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is proud of its “green” design initiative which emphasizes energy efficient apartments coupled with environmentally safe buildings and grounds, according to Chris Nervig, Mercy Housing senior project developer.

Tim O’Connor, executive director of Catholic Charities, who welcomed the visitors touring the complex, said he believes the development of Columbia Square will have a “far-reaching” impact on the future of affordable housing.  “Our residents and the Lawton community are now seeing the concrete results of four years of diligent planning and collaboration.  Without our many partners, the new Columbia Square would not have become a reality,” O’Connor said.

The construction project is expected to be completed in November of 2008.

The affordable housing apartment complex, which is being completely rebuilt, features the latest in environmentally safe and energy efficient living.  The presentation and tour demonstrated all aspects of the “green” project.  Chris Nervig, Mercy Housing, discussed the background and financing of the Green Build.  Architect Ron Reid, Ron Reid Associates, shared designing “Green” affordable housing, and Dave Berteleson, Buland Construction, gave an overview of the demolition and rebuilding process and demonstrated efficient use of construction materials.  Following the tour and question and answer session, refreshments were served in the community building hosted by Catholic Charities’ Lawton Office.

“Our goal from the beginning has been to provide quality housing that gives our residents a sense of belonging in an environment that is clean, safe, healthy, and energy-efficient.  Our “green” approach stems from our respect for God’s earth. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creations,” Tim O’Connor said.

The 64-unit Columbia Square Apartments, which was originally built in the 1970s, began demolition of individual units in June, 2007.  The renovation was done in phases allowing construction to take place with minimal effect on the residents.  The new complex offers affordable two-and three-bedroom apartments under HUD Section 8 guidelines.  The complex has 10 separate buildings and a community building with management office. Columbia Square is located at Northwest 4th Street and Columbia Avenue in Lawton.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and Mercy Housing, national non-profit housing developer, are the lead development partners in this project. Financing has been provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Enterprise Community Investment, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, Bank of Oklahoma and Catholic Charities. Gorman Management Company, has managed the property since 2003, and will continue as the property manager.

Chris Nervig said she has been pleased with the progress underway. “When Mercy Housing was able to receive an allocation of low-income housing tax credits through the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency to make the project financially viable, we were able to move forward,” she said.  The property had already received a funding commitment from HUD under the Mark-to-Market and (d)4 programs. Mercy Housing has been the consultant for several other affordable housing projects in Muskogee, Pawnee and Fletcher.  Nervig and other Mercy Housing executives traveled to Oklahoma several times in the past two years to work out the details of Columbia Square.  “We commend the work of Catholic Charities and their leadership role in this effort. Without the strong local and state partners in both financing and ownership, this property would have had a very bleak future,” Nervig stated.

HUD is especially proud of its involvement in the renovation of Columbia Square. Through a special energy initiative, they provided over $700,000 in energy efficiency and “green” items in the rehab of this project. These range from energy-efficient windows and appliances, the use of low formaldehyde plywood in framing and cabinets, to water-permeable paving and foam insulation.

The new Columbia Square will provide a more modern, energy-efficient and family

friendly apartment complex, complete with two playgrounds, a computer lab for residents, and a community room.  One of the playgrounds will be designed for children up to 5 years old, while the other will be for ages 6 to 12.  When complete, Columbia Square will offer 14 two-bedroom apartments and 50 three-bedroom apartments.

The Lawton Office of Catholic Charities provides a resident services coordinator who assists the residents with various needs ranging from counseling and job training to coordinating services with other agencies in the community, Andrea Farmer, director of the Lawton Office, said.  An office at the apartments will provide room for various agencies to provide assistance to the residents. A “resident board” as well as a “community advisory board” are being developed to create a greater sense of ownership and community support for Columbia Square.