It was a lovely Tuesday in Yerington when I visited with tenants earlier this month to brief them on the scope of work that was about to begin at Yerington Manor. The property is graced with large shade trees and you can hear even the slightest breeze ripple through the leaves. Most residents add potted flowers to compliment the landscape and enjoy taking a stroll to visit a neighbor.

I arrived just after lunch and the Community Center was quiet, the ever-present puzzle was in progress on the table at the front windows, coffee was brewing and cookies were on the platter. Linda Wilson, Property Manager for Yerington Manor, insisted that if I wanted a good turnout for the meeting, I needed cookies. She was absolutely right as slowly a good crowd assembled and patiently waited for me to explain what was about to happen to their peaceful community.

I explained that we were all about to embark on a “Green Retrofit”. I thought I would hear rumblings of “green schmeen” or “I prefer blue!”; but there were no snide remarks from the peanut gallery. They all just waited for more information. Okay, I thought, so far so good.

I was expecting this remodel project to create some issues with the senior residents. Boy was I wrong.

“The Green Retrofit replaces outdated equipment with new, energy efficient furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters and light fixtures. Improvements to the building structure such as the new roofs, increased attic insulation, and new energy star rated doors and windows will help preserve the property and keep indoor temperatures more comfortable.” I looked around the room, residents were still nodding and smiling. Might as well get right to the big item, “and we will be replacing your kitchen and bathroom cabinets.” I paused and looked around the room and still there was no evil mob assembling. In fact, they all appeared up for the challenge. I explained that they would eventually be asked to unload their cabinets and live without a kitchen for a few days.

Putting up trim around the new energy efficient windows.

It is now the end of August and work has already begun at Yerington Manor. Residents are delighted with their new windows. New furnaces and water heaters are being installed as I write, and modifications to the landscape are underway to reduce water consumption. The first load of kitchen and bath cabinets is scheduled to arrive next week, and the first of new cabinets will be installed shortly after the Labor Day holiday.

Once we are rolling along with the kitchen and bath rehabs it is anticipated that each day three households will be living without a kitchen. To help ease the burden on residents, those without kitchens will enjoy a continental breakfast in the Community Center each morning and a part time employee has been hired to help deliver the evening meal. But even the best laid plans can’t make a kitchen rehab painless. NRHA and Yerington Manor staff wish to applaud residents for their spirit and good nature as they face the journey ahead. Here we go….