Knox and Hartwick Towers are currently undergoing improvements, which include the installation of new elevators and fresh coats of paint.

The College Park Towers Condominium Association is in the process of renovating Knox and Hartwick Towers after 44 years of student wear and tear.

“It’s about time they get renovated,” said Richard Jacobs, the association’s president.

The renovations cost more than $1 million, which came from the condominium owners’ reserve fund, Jacobs said.

Kenneth Gibbs, the Towers’ site manager, said the common areas are being renovated to make the Towers more appealing and to maintain their high occupancy rate.

Though the buildings are older than many apartment complexes in the area, including the South Campus Commons and the currently unfinished University View Apartments, Gibbs said the Towers’ proximity to the campus and Route 1 make the age of the buildings a secondary consideration for many tenants.

“More and more properties are being built in the area, but there is not much pressure because of the location,” Gibbs said.

So far the association has added surveillance cameras on each floor of both buildings and has installed new roofs, boilers, back-up generators and elevators.

The lobbies and solariums in each condominium also received a fresh coat of paint and new floors, Jacobs said, but after students complained about the light green color of the lobby, the association agreed to repaint.

“I ask the students all the time what they think about the renovations, specifically in the lobby,” Jacobs said. “They mostly appreciate things being done.”

He said most students he asks say they love the tile and carpet, but think something has to be done about the green color on the walls.

“It smells better and feels cleaner, but the color is way too bright,” said sophomore letters and sciences major Rachel Kruh.

To improve security, the association hired a security guard, a Prince George’s County Police officer and two building monitors to patrol the two buildings over the past several years and last spring asked University Police to drive through the parking lots.

The increased security was in response to three violent incidents in or near the buildings in fall 2003. A shot was fired on the sixth floor of the Hartwick Building on Oct. 12, a girl was robbed in the parking lot on Oct. 6, and a student was stabbed at a Sept. 27 party on the fourth floor of the Knox Building.

Renovations planned for next year include cleaning the building’s brick facade and replacing all the windows, balconies, railings and heating and air conditioning units.

Hallways will get new carpet, more lighting and a coat of “very mellow” light tan paint, Jacobs said.

Up to 42 new parking spots for the residents will replace the swimming pool.

“We are currently taking bids from engineering companies to see how you can demolish the wall of the pool,” Jacobs said.

“We are trying to give the residents a bigger bang for their buck so they can be happy and proud to live in the Towers,” he added.