Returning home
Columbia Gardens at South City
welcomes residents to new apartments
Photo by St. Clair Murraine
By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer
Not too far away from where construction workers are putting the finishing touches on some apartments, residents are slowly moving into Columbia Gardens at South City.
The new three-story buildings make what was Orange Avenue Apartments a distant memory.
Marilyn Lynn lived there and hardly wants to remember anyway. She recently completed her move into one of the new second-floor apartments.
“It feels good to come back,” said Lynn. “I love it. It’s real nice.”
Lynn was one of the individuals who occupied the old apartments until two years ago when demolitions started. Tallahassee Housing Authority, which owns the property, had relocated her to Joe Louis Apartments.
Lynn became the fifth person to return to the all-new property. In all, 130 apartments are ready to be occupied, said Brenda Williams, executive director of THA.
Families who have returned and others who have taken tours, have expressed astonishment at the transformation from the old brick buildings.
Photo by St. Clair Murraine
“People are amazed at what has occurred,” Williams said. “I don’t think anybody thought that we would build something so beautiful.”
Lynn certainly is loving it. From her patio, she can peer at the newly installed walking trail and over the west side of Orange Avenue.
Inside, she is fascinated by the spacious kitchen in the one-bedroom apartment. The appliances are black and gray, with a built-in microwave over the stove.
“I like that,” Lynn said, turning to place an ornament she unpacked from a box. “I don’t have to have it on the counter top.”
Photo by St. Clair Murraine
By the third day of her move-in, Lynn’s Wi-Fi was hooked up to make television viewing possible. Occasionally, the security chimed as a friend who was helping with the move-in entered the room.
Every apartment will have the amenities that Lynn is enjoying, said Williams. Finishing touches were being put on some of the outdoor conveniences such as a pool, a playground and an area for socializing where grills will be set up.
Former residents like Lynn will occupy 53 of the completed apartments, while the remaining 77 units will go to individuals who haven’t lived in the old apartments.
Columbia Residential, which is handling the redevelopment also is managing the property for THA. The decision was made after a tour of properties that Columbia developed in New Orleans, Orlando and Atlanta, Williams said.
“Their other properties were well-managed,” Williams said. “I expect to see the same thing here.”
Residents will make up a mixed income community. In addition to the returnees, qualified renters will have the option of moving in on housing choice vouchers or at market value rate.
Phase two of the development is expected to be completed with 160 apartments this fall. That will be followed by constructions of 110 apartments in phase three. Another 110 units are also in the works to accommodate senior citizens and disabled individuals.
Demolition of the old units on the east side of County Club Drive is expected to begin in July, Williams said.
Meanwhile, the focus is on getting former residents into the new apartments. THA will provide a moving company or finance the move back, Williams said.
“Everyone who wants to come back, we are going to bring them back,” she said. “It’s not going to be a problem.”
