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Last week, the apartment complex officially closed its doors to residents for the redevelopment project to begin. When complete, the property’s seven buildings will be torn down and replaced with five new buildings.

Although there will be two fewer buildings when complete, there will be an increase in 14 units, bringing the total to 64 units, confirmed Don Bibb, director of the Talbot Housing Commission.

“We’re beginning the remediation,� he said about where they are in the project. “Probably in January they’ll start tearing buildings down.�

Rather than a public housing program, the new units will be a part of a housing choice voucher program known as Section 8 housing.

“Both programs are structured such that a program participant pays no more than 30% of their adjusted household income toward the rent,� Bibb said about the public housing and voucher programs.

Along with new, energy-efficient units, the redevelopment project will create a playground in the center of the community. Bibb said he believes the basketball court that is already on the property will stay there.

The Easton Housing Authority building located on the property will receive a facelift to create a better space for the community as well as new office space. An addition of 1,000 square feet will be constructed on the back of the building.

Bibb said that it was time for these renovations.

“I mean, this property’s close to 51, 52 years old,� he said. “It’s been fairly well maintained, but it’s outlived it’s lifetime. So it’s time to give something back to the community and the residents.�

The project, which will take about 14 months (barring any delays, Bibb said), is estimated to cost close to $25 million. Bibb said somewhere around $24 million has been raised so far.

Last year, the Easton Town Council and Talbot County Council each voted to award the project $250,000 — totaling $500,000.

Last Wednesday, Gov. Wes Moore announced $63.7 million in awards through Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development programs, including $400,000 to the Doverbrook Apartments project through the department’s Community Legacy program.

“To win the decade, we must be intentional about building sustainable, vibrant communities that lift all Marylanders,� Moore said in a news release. “These investments will support local and county leaders in their vital work to drive economic growth and create stronger pathways to prosperity in all parts of the state. Together, we will continue to revitalize our communities and reveal Maryland’s full potential.�

Bibb said the award from the state was great.

“We had that small gap (between cost and money raised), and that’s why we applied to the state for that legacy,� he said.

Since work on the apartments began last week, some residents have been moved to Housing-Commission-owned properties in St. Â鶹´«Ã½. Bibb said a few of the units in St. Â鶹´«Ã½ are still being worked on, and so some Doverbrook residents are being put up in a hotel until those renovations are finished.

The Housing Commission of Talbot hired a relocation specialty company to help find Doverbrook’s residents relocation units. Bibb said that those who didn’t get relocated to the Housing Commission’s properties in St. Â鶹´«Ã½ were given vouchers for other properties.

“It’s been tough with the relocation because the rental market is so tight,� he said. “But we did get everyone relocated.�

Those living at the apartments before renovations will have first right of refusal to come back.

Adding 14 more affordable housing units in Easton is significant, Bibb said.

“There’s always a high demand for affordable housing,� he said. “Nationwide, it’s a problem ... I mean we could build another 200 (units), and it still wouldn’t meet the need.�