Three public housing properties in the Highline area are among eight such facilities included in a $25 million renovation project announced last week by the King County Housing Authority.

The Highline buildings are Brittany Park, Riverton Terrace and Munro Manor.

Fire and life safety system improvements and critical building upgrades, along with remodeled community spaces, will be made at all eight properties, which house nearly 550 seniors and people with disabilities.

The King County Housing Authority closed on an innovative financing this week that raised $25 million for fire and for eight public housing properties housing nearly 550 seniors and people with disabilities.

This complex financial transaction-involving federal tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, and public housing capital fund proceeds-allows the housing authority to complete an initiative started in 1999 to equip all of its 22 senior/disabled buildings with up-to-date fire and life safety systems.

"The safety and well-being of our senior and disabled residents and the maintenance of our housing stock to the highest possible standards is among our top priorities," said Stephen Norman, executive director of the housing authority.

"With this innovative financing, we accomplish both goals simultaneously. We're upgrading the quality and ensuring the long-term viability of vital public assets and improving the safety and comfort of our seniors and tenants with disabilities in a reasonable time frame," Norman continued.

"This financing is good news for taxpayers, the housing inventory and people in need of low-income housing."

Tax credits and federal capital grant funds are used to finance the project. Apollo Equity Partners is the tax credit investor. W.G. Clark is the construction contractor.

The rehabilitation scope of repairs in each building starts with the installation of fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems, although roof, siding, deck, common area and/or parking lot improvements are included in the scope of work for individual buildings.

Work on all eight buildings is scheduled to be completed by December 2008.

Highline building upgrades include"

Brittany Park in Normandy Park, $2.3 million-Replace fire alarm system and install new fire sprinkler system; upgrade emergency stairways, add new lighting and replace doors; improve ventilation in common areas; provide units with new water lines, faucets, water heaters and baseboard heaters; and replace the roof, reseal the siding and resolve drainage issues.

Riverton Terrace in Tukwila, $2.66 million-Replace fire alarm system and install new fire sprinkler system; upgrade emergency stairways, add new lighting and replace doors; reconfigure lobby and offices; improve ventilation in common areas; provide units with new water lines, faucets, water heaters and baseboard heaters; and replace the roof, reseal the siding and resolve drainage issues.

Munro Manor in Burien, $2.9 million- Replace fire alarm system and install new fire sprinkler system; upgrade emergency stairways, add new lighting and replace doors; improve ventilation in common areas; provide new water service; provide units with new doors and faucets; and replace decks.