SOUTH PASADENA — Bethany Towers resident Sondra Slider doesn't want to think about another summer without air-conditioning. Add broken laundry machines and bug infestations to the list of problems plaguing the low-income apartment complex mostly populated by seniors.

But if Bethany Towers changes owners this fall, the type of summer Slider dreads approaching might just be the last.

An Orlando company is now considering buying the facility. Company officials met with residents Thursday to discuss the possibility.

"Absolutely it would be a significant change," Slider said. "They said they would be getting the place up to par. Everyone is very positive."

Last year, the St. Petersburg Times chronicled the money woes in the 210-unit facility, which Bethany Housing Inc. has owned since 1971. The complex was built with low-interest loans from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Conditions at the facility, which has been overrun with maintenance problems, forced residents to endure too much, Slider said.

"I've been here three years. Last year the property manager went overboard to make things better for us but the money situation was bad," Slider said.

Where some might see a mess, Elevation Properties believes Bethany Towers presents a great opportunity.

"It's an incredibly troubled property so we put together a strategic plan of how we can make the building financially viable and put it in front of HUD," said Michael King, president of the Orlando company. "Then it's ultimately their decision at the national, state and local level."

Elevation representatives approached Bethany Housing and HUD last year to begin talks. About 160 people reside at the complex, King said.

The company already owns a senior housing complex in Orlando and is looking to expand, King said. He's optimistic about the possibilities.

"We find the senior niche interesting," King said. "There's a lot of need. A lot of facilities find themselves without abilities to recapitalize. We found a way to do the necessary upgrades and increase the quality of living experience without displacing seniors."

HUD rules require a 150-day notification period before the most serious discussion on purchasing the building begins, King said.

At this point, it's too premature to do more than wait it out and then move forward to get HUD's approval, he said. That's why Elevation met with the residents.

"We wanted to alleviate the concerns about the future of the building," King said. "The residents have strong and passionate concerns and we feel it's important to keep them in the loop."

Bethany Towers needs upgrades to survive, Slider said. Beyond the stained carpets, broken machines and bugs, new ownership would revitalize the spirit of its residents, she said.

"We're all relieved we're going to continue to have a place to live and that it'll be fixed up for us," Slider said. "We just want a building we can be proud of and happy to come home to every day."

Dagny Salas can be reached at dsalas@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8872.