To anyone living east of the Orange Line, Doris Bunte Apts is the 20-story tower in the heart of Egleston Square, seen from as far away as the Arnold Arboretum’s Peter’s Hill (or Hemlock Hill, if you want a little rougher climb).

Bamberg provided information on the modernization and rehabilitation of all 165 apartments and the common areas.

Bamberg was joined by Raul Leon, director of asset management and property manager of Doris Bunte Apartments.

As first reported by The Bulletin, the project notification form was filed with the Boston Planning Department on Oct. 15, 2021, an Article 80 meeting was held on May 23, 2023 and the project was approved by the Boston Planning and Development Agency Board (BPDA) on June 13, 2023.

“It’s a remarkable history,’ Bamberg said, “An ionic Egleston Square building, 20 stories. A cylindrical building built in 1968, (completed in 1970), designed by Richmond and Goldberg. It’s eligible for the National Register (of Historic Places).

“It’s multi-family housing that serves seniors and elderly disabled.”

In November 2020, the BHA received approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to convert DBA from standard public housing funding to Section 8 funding.

“What HUD gives in public housing is pretty meager,” Bamberg said. “A one-bedroom is $1,100. Section 8 is tied to market rates; it gets a higher subsidy. A one-bedroom is subsidized at $2300, or 30 percent of what a tenant earns.

“We’re seeking historic tax credits from the fed and state to keep the modernization faithful to the historic character of the building,” he said. “It’s a unique interior design; a quirky, pie-shaped floor plan with very generous balconies. It’s a real amenity.

“HUD recognized that Doris Bunte Apts is functionally obsolete. It’s at risk. We as a housing authority could not do [modernization] alone, so they offered tenant protection vouchers.”

Purple Reign is the vice chair of the housing committee and was largely responsible for inviting the BHA. Reign also asked Kenzie Bok, the BHA administrator, to come and speak. Bamberg said that Bok had originally planned to attend but a conflict came up.

“The big question,” she said, “will tenants have to move out and not return?”

Reign was referring to the allegations about Doris Bunte Apts heard at a spring committee meeting.

“This is the most important thing to the BHA,” Bamberg said. “Absolutely, everybody who lives in the building has a right to come back.”

“A new corporate structure will be set up for the tax credits, but the apartments will be deeply affordable. We’ll be moving people around as the repairs come up,” he said.

Leon added, “Moving people out of the building is not the case at all. Some have voluntarily left, fifteen or 20 for medical reasons,” he said. “We have a relocation team to help some transfer requests. Doris Bunte is about 50 percent occupied.”

Leon took charge of DBA last year.

“We want to provide quality homes,” he said. “Since January 2024 we’ve evicted troubled tenants. The problems have not come back.”

“We’re not actively refilling apartments as they are vacated,” Bamberg said, “to help facilitate construction.

“We’ll advance construction in stacks all up and down 20 floors. Relocate from one part of the building to the other.”

“Winslow Architects. John Winslow is the architect,” Bamberg said. “No construction contractor yet. Probably go with contract management-at-risk approach. More flexible, based on price. Same quality but save money.”

“With the Section 8 conversion the maximum income is 50 percent area median income (AMI), cannot earn more than 50 percent AMI. Some as low as zero. Most applicants are on a fixed income. Public housing to Section 8 serves the low-income community,” he said.

“Section 8 is much more generous, is more generous than private developer [partnership] BHA is going to stay in the driver’s seat.”

“This is important to Kenzie,” Bamberg said. “Truly affordable housing. The typical BHA tenant earns $15,000 to $17,000 a year.”

“Were actively seeking additional funding [for construction]; an application to the Mayor’s Office of Housing for $2.5 million. Close to $3 million. We’ll ask for matching funds from the state. This is critical for us to get low-income housing tax credits.”

“We absolutely need the tax credits, We know we’re going to qualify.”

Committee member Aiden Foley asked about the budget and Bamberg explained in detail.

“The estimate at $300,000 per unit,” he said. That’s about $49.5 million. The estimate in 2023 when the BPDA Board approved the plan was $35 million.

“MassHousing support loan of $29.9 million. It’s a hefty piece.”

“[Low-income] tax credits. We’ll sell the tax credits for $28 million in equity.”

“The city and state, $2 million to $3 million each.”

“The BHA is deferring the developer fee of $3.7 million. BHA is doing the work but no cash up front.”

Bamberg said that the deferred fee can be collected over time.

“I’m quite optimistic,” Bamberg wrapped up. “ for funding (MOH and state] in summer 2026 and MassHousing funding in 2027.”

Bamberg said the BHA is hoping for public endorsement of Doris Bunte Apartments. “

“The property is important to the BHA. It’s iconic,” Bamberg said.