New London — The New London Housing Authority is seeking more than $4 million in state funding for renovations and upgrades to its elderly and disabled housing complex on Colman Street.

The state-subsidized units at George Washington Carver Apartments are in dire need of attention and Housing Authority Executive Director Roy Boling said that, without an upgrade project, the property has the potential to fall into major disrepair and create the problems now being experienced at the troubled Crystal Avenue high-rises.

“We’re one step away from a Thames River,” Boling told the City Council this week.

The Housing Authority has tried and failed in the past to fund renovation projects at the 128-unit state-subsidized affordable housing complex at 202 Colman St. It has applied for funding from the state-sponsored Housing Portfolio program through the state Department of Housing and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

Boling estimates $4.2 million in hard and soft costs for the project and about $4.9 million in total when architectural fees, financing and contingency costs are included.

Part of the project consists of rehabilitation of units in the 11-story building, which was constructed in 1972. The building contains 108 efficiency and 20 one-bedroom apartments. A portion of the project would consist of enclosing unused balconies on floors 2 through 11 that would allow expansion of the apartments into one-bedroom, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant units.

The rehab also would allow for replacement of deteriorating windows and removal of air-conditioning units in favor of an entirely new heating and cooling system, replacement of two inefficient gas-fired hot water boilers, installation of LED lighting and a roof replacement. The roof, last replaced in 1987, has had major leaks, leading to water damage in some of the units.

The sidewalk and parking lot also would be improved and two underground oil storage tanks would be removed from the property. Inside, all apartment plumbing fixtures would be replaced.

The energy conservation efforts alone would save the Housing Authority $40,000 in yearly utility costs, Boling said. It could be several months before the Housing Authority learns if its funding request will be granted.

The City Council, with some reluctance, voted unanimously this week to waive an estimated $51,000 in permitting fees for the project.

“It’s a tough one for us because it’s a significant amount of money,” Councilor Don Venditto told Boling.

Councilor Martha Marx asked what the precedent was for the city waiving fees. Councilor Michael Tranchida said the city historically has waived Housing Authority permit fees because they “benefitted the New London residents who are living in the Housing Authority properties.”

Councilor Erica Richardson said the waiver was one step toward being more proactive when it comes to maintaining properties in the city.

“We tend to wait until the sky is literally falling down on us and the roof is caving in before we do anything,” Richardson said. “This is what we need to do to say that New London is not just letting stuff slide. This will benefit our city and it will benefit our residents."

Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Betsy Gibson said the application for state funding is another step in maintaining the Housing Authority’s 433 units. In addition to 202 Colman St., the authority manages state-subsidized units at Gordon Court and Riozzi Court. It also manages 223 federally subsidized units at 127 Hempstead St. and the Thames River Apartments.

All are in need of some work and Gibson said the goal is to modernize the properties and not let them fall into disrepair.

“This is delayed maintenance that’s caught up with us,” Gibson said.

The Housing Authority continues to work on an application to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to obtain vouchers and move residents out of Thames River Apartments because of the substandard living conditions there.

g.smith@theday.com