Hare named interim leader

Board will begin selection of new director at next regular meeting

Posted on Wednesday, July 7, 2004

BY JERRY F. RUTLEDGE
Staff Writer

Judy Hare, the new interim executive director of the Phenix City Housing Authority, believes exciting things can and will happen on the western banks of the Chattahoochee.

But Hare wants to be certain the people aren't forgotten -- the people who reside in Riverview Apartments, where many in Phenix City foresee those exciting things happening in the not-too-distant future.

"This is so important -- the people. They are not going away. They are here and we want to make sure they are taken care of," said Hare, the authority's finance director who was selected Tuesday night to replace fired longtime housing chief Chuck Roberts. The Housing Authority terminated the contract of Roberts at its meeting June 29.

"The main thing I want to do is make sure that the residents are not forgotten, because this is their home," Hare said.

Hare agreed to become the interim director if the board said she could return to her former job once a new executive director was selected and if she could be a candidate for the job permanently. The board will begin the process of selecting a new executive director at its next regular meeting.

The only other action item on the called meeting agenda was discussing the legalities and technicalities of halting renovation of several housing units in Riverview. Roberts had secured financing to renovate 16 units, with four nearing completion and another four under construction by Amerson Construction. The board also discussed what funding is available for any changes that may be made to the property.

The board will meet with Ed Sprayberry of HUD, director of housing for the state; representatives of The Boulevard Group of Atlanta, the consultants hired by the East Alabama Riverfront Development group; and Phenix City officials to get answers to the legalities involved in developing the property. Some of the options include transforming Riverview into mixed-income housing, expanding the riverwalk and turning some of the property into retail or public use.

Hare said HUD officials say no HOPE VI funds -- the federal grant Columbus housing officials secured to fund the redevelopment of Peabody Apartments -- are available. The Boulevard Group says the federal funds are available. Board member Jim Lynn said Columbus housing officials had planned to apply for another grant this year but held off in hopes Phenix City could apply.

"We need to get together with Mr. Sprayberry and HUD attorneys to find out what our options are," said board chairman Kellon Shepard.

A second meeting will include Amerson Construction to find out how the board can legally stop the renovation project at Riverview. Lynn stressed during the meeting that Amerson will be paid for its work. "Amerson needs to know we don't plan to shortchange them," he said.

Hare credited Roberts for mentoring her transition from the banking business to the housing authority 11 years ago. The 38-year housing director had been perceived by many city officials and business leaders in the Phenix City community as standing in the way of the redevelopment of Riverview Apartments, a perception board member Cora Greene disputed during Tuesday night's meeting. Greene was absent last week when Roberts was removed in a 3-1 vote of the authority board.

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Contact Erin Simpson at (706) 571-8586 or esimpson@ledger-enquirer.com