Aging Glendale Townhomes public housing to get weatherization upgrades

An aging Minneapolis public housing property that's been the subject of contentious debate over redevelopment will be getting some needed weatherization and energy-efficiency upgrades.

For more than a year, residents at Glendale Townhomes have raised concerns about the state of their buildings, among the oldest the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) owns. Some residents fear the complex will be torn down and redeveloped, and say they want the units rehabilitated instead. MPHA officials say it's too soon to say how renovations might unfold.

The energy upgrades will start in April with one of Glendale's eight-unit townhouse buildings. Sustainable Resources Center Inc. will manage the project, and CenterPoint Energy will provide funding to supplement a federal grant. If the effort goes well, other buildings at Glendale could get upgrades, too.

The Glendale complex, built in 1952, includes 184 townhouses.

"These townhomes were built without many of the features and materials we would use today to best protect against our Minnesota winters," Mary Boler, the MPHA's managing director of low-income public housing, said in a statement. "The enhancements we can put in place over time, with these partners, should help us improve interior comfort and create real energy savings."

Upgrades will likely include insulation, caulking and weatherstripping of doors and windows. Fixes to furnaces, water heaters and vent fans could also be included, along with installation of new thermostats and LED light bulbs.

Residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the upgrades at a meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.

Emma Nelson • 612-673-4509