Boston Housing Authority Bill McGonagle spoke during a press conference at the Peabody/Englewood Apartments in Peabody Square on Tuesday. Listening on were resident Jean Patterson, City Councillor Frank Baker and Mayor Martin Walsh. The city agency will spend $3 million to spruce up 22 senior and disabled apartment complexes across the city over the coming months. Isabel Leon/Mayor’s Office photo

The Boston Housing Authority will spend $3 million to spruce up 22 senior and disabled apartment complexes across the city over the coming months, said Mayor Martin Walsh as he joined BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle to announce the projects at a press conference on Tuesday morning at the Peabody/Englewood Apartments in Peabody Square, where some work has already begun.

The scope of work will vary, but most of the BHA complexes will see upgrades to common areas, including fresh paint and flooring, ceilings, and furniture. At the Peabody/Englewood building, the amenities include a new flat-screen television in a community room where Walsh and McGonagle explained the plan to residents. Other local buildings that will be see some updating include the Groveland and Hassan Apartments in Mattapan and the Annapolis, Ashmont, Bellflower, and Pasciucco apartments in Dorchester.

Jean Patterson, 86, spoke on behalf of residents at the Englewood and praised the mayor and McGonagle for choosing the complex as the first to be fixed up. Patterson noted that Walsh was a familiar face at the Peabody Square complex. As state representative, Patterson recalled, Walsh would sometimes visit to help residents fix appliances that were on the fritz. When residents grew frustrated with waiting for the city to install a new flagpole, Walsh paid for its installation himself and had a friend dig a hole and get it upright.

“I’ll be honest: the first building that popped in my head is this one,” said Walsh, who added that he used to visit the complex in his old House district two or three times a year. “I remember when you had the big cage over the TV in here. And somebody still stole it.”

Still, even an old friend who happens to now be mayor is not above receiving a quiet scolding from Patterson, who has been a resident activist at the building for 25 years. “When I walked in the front door this morning the first person – this very shy woman to my left, Jane – grabbed me and said that you “haven’t been in here enough.’ And she’s absolutely right,” Walsh said.

Patterson, who spoke at the press event, credited both Walsh for McGonagle for being responsive to residents in senior housing.

“I love this building,” said the retired horse trainer. “We are very, very fortunate. We have a wonderful manager and a dedicated custodian who keeps this building the way it’s supposed to be. And he needs more help by the way. But I want all of you to know how lucky you are. First of all, you got up this morning, which doesn’t happen to all of us. And second of all you live in a senior Boston housing development.”