Council OKs $13M for revitalization

Connie Baker

The City Council approved $13 million in funding to revitalize a

deteriorating apartment complex in the Peyton- Grismer area.

The Redevelopment Agency and the Housing Development Corp. are

close to acquiring an 84-unit apartment building in the 1800 block of

Grismer Avenue.

The resulting renovation will result in 70 apartment units and a

new activity center along Grismer and the 1700 block of Elliot Drive.

“The project obviously comes with a very expensive price tag,”

Vice Mayor Marsha Ramos said following Tuesday’s council meeting.

“But we should expect to pay good money to create a good community.”

The project will integrate affordable housing with market-rate

rentals. The development will also provide for the expansion of

several units from smaller two- bedroom units to three bedrooms.

“It’s very difficult to find larger affordable rentals these

days,” Ramos said. “This will help a great deal for the low- and

very-low-income families.”

Ten buildings on the site are considered “substantially

deteriorated” and parking is below existing city code.

The area falls short on adequate recreational space, and the poor

layout, according to city staff, creates dangerous conditions in the

event of an emergency. The new activity center will offer family

services with the intent of blending younger families into the larger

community.

Duane Solomon, the city’s housing development manager, said 90-day

notices to vacate the complex would be sent out at the end of

October, with demolition beginning early February.