Nearly a year after a teenager was killed at the Central Court apartment complex in West Tampa, plans are underway to renovate the building.

Last July, 16-year-old Javon Neal was shot and killed by Tampa police at the apartments on 2510 North Central Ave. Authorities say he was armed with a gun.

Neal's death shed light on crime and problems at the complex that residents say they'd be complaining about for years. 

"It used to be the wild, wild west around here. Pow, pow, pow, pow," said resident Vernette Jackson.

It was the July shooting that prompted councilman Frank Reddick to take action. He urged developers to clean up the place.

Today, Reddick and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn held a press conference to say change is on the way.

"They're going to put a security gate out there that will have to be accessible by the card so that will eliminate a lot of the outsiders from coming in," said Councilman Reddick.

City leaders are hoping the gate will help curb crime at the apartment complex. About $3 million in renovations are planned for the place. 

"This is going to change a whole lot of other kids lives up in here and maybe they will be able to live in peace instead of having to dodge and run from bullets," said Kethessa Fordoms, Neal's mom. 

The Vice President for Southport Development Michael Molinari, says their company has been trying to get funding to make renovations for 3 years.

"We started working on it, well in advance of the tragedy," Molinari said.

Residents like Vernette Jackson are excited to hear it. For 13 years, she's called the place Cell-Block H, after a prison show. Her family refuses to come visit.

"None of them like to come over here," Jackson said. "And I don't blame them, but I tell them there fixing to be a change."

The changes are not only on the outside, renovations will be made inside the complex as well. Each of the apartments will get new cabinets, dishwashers, and central air. 

Upgrades will also be made to the plumbing and electrical wiring. The renovations will begin next month. None of the residents will be displaced.