Meetings are to begin today between the Bermuda Housing Corporation and historical organisations about renovations to Sandhurst.

Four families - about 20 tenants - were moved out of the residence by the end of October after the building sustained severe roof damage during Hurricane Fabian.

BHC general manager Vance Campbell said the BHC, which owns the building, were aware that extensive renovations had to be done even before the hurricane hit. However, with the roof damage caused by Fabian he said the decision was made to start the repairs.

As the building is a Class Three historical building, "even with Planning permission we have to stick to historical guidelines," said Mr. Campbell.

For that reason the BHC is consulting with the Corporation of St. George's, the National Trust and the Historical Society to work out some guidelines for the renovations. One question they will tackle will be that of the floors. Mr. Campbell said the BHC would prefer to put in concrete floors, however if the guidelines specify redoing wood floors, "we will do that".

The renovations, carried out by architects The Studio, will include roof repairs as well as plumbing and rewiring. "Once we know what we can do we will be able to put a more accurate figure on the cost," said Mr. Campbell. "At any rate, we anticipate it will be in excess of $1 million."

Plans are taking longer than anticipated, he said, and the BHC hopes to begin the main renovations by April. "We're expecting six months of construction."

As the plans and renovations are taking longer than originally thought, he said BHC hopes to move some of the tenants from their emergency housing to apartments. "We do have to go back to them and advise them if it will be a longer process," he said. "Things are tight right now, but we don't feel we can leave them where they are. They understand the need for renovations, their main concern was whether or not they would be able to move back in and we assured them they would."

Renovations will also be carried out on the nearby Arcadia building, which was extremely damaged during the hurricane, he said.

The building is a Class One historical site and so the guidelines will be even more severe. "The storm took care of the third floor and the walls of the second storey were so damaged they became unsafe, and we had to go in and remove them," he said.

"We're still working with the insurance companies and Works & Engineering on them."

There were tenants in Arcadia, he said, however they had been moved out prior to Hurricane Fabian.