Housing group unveils new units
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Elisabeth Kulas, executive director of the Housing Trust of Rutland County, unveils the organization's new name and logo during a tour of one of its new buildings on Cottage Street (exterior below) on Thursday. VYTO STARINSKAS / RUTLAND HERALD |
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By STEPHANIE M. PETERS STAFF WRITER - Published: November 6, 2009
A steady stream of people milled through newly constructed and freshly renovated apartments at 25 Cottage St. and 42 and 44-46 Pine St., on Thursday, admiring natural wood floors, handicapped-accessible features in some units and energy-efficiency measures in others.
The open house was the Rutland County Community Land Trust's official unveiling of its newest housing stock, which, coupled with minor renovations at two long-held properties, 221 Dorr Drive and 76 Williams St., marks the completion of another scattered site project for the organization.
The 16 new units on Cottage and Pine streets boost the organization's total stock to 197 apartments, 32 mobile homes and 28 homeownership opportunities throughout the county — all before the organization reaches its 20th anniversary.
That's not all that was revealed, however. Rutland County Community Land Trust has officially changed its name to Housing Trust of Rutland County.
The name Rutland County Community Land Trust "leaves a lot to be desired in terms of telling you what we do," said Executive Director Elisabeth Kulas during a reception at the open house. "We wanted a new name as we enter our 20th year that describes what we do … we anticipate being known as a housing trust."
Kulas said the organization will focus on rolling out its new name, including a new Web site, housingrutland.org, more in the coming weeks and months. Thursday was more about the project.
According to Kulas, the organization had held an interest in the crumbling red brick house at 25 Cottage St. long before it was finally able to purchase the property. By the time it did acquire the house, they found that structurally, it would have to be torn down. However, in keeping with the old house's features, it was painted a brick red hue, positioned at the same distance from the street and given a similar front porch.
"This building complements the rest of the street," Kulas said.
Behind it, another segment of the building is painted a golden color. In total, 25 Cottage St. contains six units.
On Pine Street, there are seven units of new construction in the building at 44-46 Pine St., while 42 is a house the land trust acquired and decided to renovate rather than demolish.
All five buildings were outfitted with solar hot water, and the Cottage Street building is also being used as a test site for evacuated tube solar collectors – a type of solar panel that has yet to be used elsewhere in Vermont. The Cottage and Pine Street buildings have also achieved Energy Star designation through Efficiency Vermont, Kulas said. The buildings also contain a total of four handicapped-accessible units.
In total, $4.9 million was budgeted for the five-building project, $375,000 of which came from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Program and $420,000 of which came from the Vermont Housing Conservation Board, a regular partner for the organization.
"What an achievement," said Kathleen Konz of the VHCB. "The work they do … they really have a huge impact on this community in terms of community development."
stephanie.peters@rutlandherald.com
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