Building undergoes extensive renovations

By Christy Marsters

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Residents at the apartment complex on 490 Wiley Avenue point out that availability of heat and hot water -- which has always been included in the rent -- has traditionally varied.

Valerie Murphy says she is concerned for her mother, Mary Smith, who resides there -- because, in her opinion, she hasn’t had sufficient heating since the season started.

One evening the temperature was taken in this room and it was 11.2C, Murphy said. “When it was at 11.2C I got upset cause that’s cold… it’s very emotionally upsetting.”

When a complaint about heating was brought to the attention of the building owners, people came in to bleed the register, Murphy said. “But, there was no heat that night.”

Murphy said, “they’re charging full rent and Mom’s not getting the full service… I feel for those living here.”

Owner Patrick Johnston first took over the complex in July 2008 – less than five months ago. He said that when he took over this building, it was in dire need of updating.

The furnace in place before was about 100 years old, Johnston said. “We put a new $75,000 heating system in. But, we had a failure on a circulation value for one night.”

Service request

An email sent by Halifax Heating to Patrick Johnston states that Nov. 3 there was a service request indication the new circulator pumps were not circulating hot water at all. It was noted a redundant circulator tied into the same loop had failed due to a loose wire, but the circulators were left running in accordance with a manufacturer’s required specifications.

Otherwise, the new furnace has been running on an automatic system, which keeps the building regulated around 20C at all times, Johnston said. ”There are still some old deteriorating values on there, but we’ve ordered the parts to come in some time soon.”

Aside from the furnace other improvements have included: new carpet, new paint, new interior and exterior lighting, a newly paved entrance, new laundry machinery and new fire safety equipment.

Also, 21 of 39 separate rental units have been completely renovated to include new fuse boxes, new counter tops, new tub linings, new toilets, new carpets and new painting jobs.

The problem here before was tenants didn’t have any expectations because living in the substandard building had become normal, Johnston said. “I’d say there’s been no work done to this building in at least the last 10 years. But, I want to attract a better future for tenants.

Helps everyone

“I always buy buildings that can contribute to the neighbourhood,” Johnston said. “This is what I do – fix up tired buildings in good neighbourhoods. It helps everyone.”

Johnston rents out apartments in Kentville, Halifax, Dartmouth, Truro, and Glace Bay, as well as at two other locations in New Brunswick. He first began this sort of work in 1996.

Andrea Hamilton, who has resided at 490 Wiley Avenue since last May, said her heat has been off and on for a while, but she also knows that the old furnace system was all messed up.

“I understand they’re trying to fix everything,” Hamilton said. “It’s going to get better.”

It has been a slow process but the promises of things getting better is nice considering, when living here in the beginning, no one was really fixing anything, Hamilton added.

Donna Weir has lived there for two years. She said she does have heat now, but last year she didn’t have heat until January. “This year has not been too bad.

“As far as I know, they’re working on the furnace,” Weir said. “They’re trying to get heat. However, everyone should always have it, they’re paying for it, and they should have it.

“I’ve seen a lot done in the last three months,” Weir said. “I’ve seen trucks and trucks in here. It’s an old building, but these people are trying. We’re living in a cleaner building.”