Independence Landing gives intellectually and developmentally disabled adults a home of their own

By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer

For awhile it seemed like nothing else mattered. All eyes were on Jeremy Richard as he walked into the clubhouse at Independence Landing.

Dressed in all black, with a cowboy hat, someone greeted him as “cowboy.” He acknowledged just about everyone close by him as he kept walking.

Richard went directly to the computer area and stayed there until a visitor struck up a conversation. It was as if he anticipated the first question would be about living in a community built exclusively for intellectually and developmentally disabled adults.

“I like it here,” he said. “It’s my home. I’ve always wanted to be here. This is for me. I enjoy this because I like it.”

Richard, the 25-year-old son of State Rep. Allison Tant, is one of 51 tenants who have settled into the 20-acre Independence Landing apartments. 

Several of the residents were present last Tuesday evening for a ribbon-cutting ceremony that highlighted the grand opening of the resident located on School House Road, adjacent to Florida High in Southwood.

Several government officials, including Mayor John Dailey and City Commissioner Curtis Richardson also attended the grand opening. Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce ambassadors supported the event.

Independence Landing is the only housing complex built exclusively for intellectually and developmentally disabled adults west of Jacksonville. It is one of five such exclusive communities in Florida, said Kim Galbán-Countryman, executive director at Independence Landing.

The gated property has 60 apartments, 50 of them built as one-bedroom and 10 are two-bedroom. Residents pay their rent through a Medicaid waiver or private pay through an on-site resource provider. Rent ranged from just over $470 to about $1,000 per month.

Each tenant decides their level of independence. For example, Galbán-Countryman said, some chose to cook for themselves. Many of the residents are experiencing a level of independence that they never had before.

 “They are thriving,” said Galbán-Countryman. “They have been underestimated their entire lives but they are thriving and are integrated into the community at Southwood and are doing amazing.”

There is an on-site staff that helps with household cleaning and arranges transportation to doctor’s appointments. The staff also assists residents with a schedule that allows them get out of the building and socialize.

Day trips to places like San Luis Mission Park are among a list of options that residents have. Attending athletic events at nearby Florida High or attending First Friday at Railroad Square are among other things that residents could do.

“We make sure they are going and having fun,” said Galbán-Countryman.

Inside of the clubhouse, there is a commercial kitchen that many will use for training as part of a workforce development partnership with RedEye Coffee. A gym and a movie room are also in the clubhouse.

The complex for intellectually or developmentally disabled adults is a first for Southport Development, said  Brianne Heffner, vice president of the company.

 Tant’s concern about her son’s wellbeing when she becomes older was the impetus for Independence Landing being developed. Seven years ago, she began to search examples of what could become housing for intellectually and developmentally disable adults. 

She found the The Arc Jacksonville Village and went to work, forming a board to direct the project. Funding was worked out through the Florida Finance Corporation and a partnership was formed with Southport Development. Royal American Management was later brought aboard.

The property had a soft opening last fall. Tant was ecstatic during the ribbon cutting, obviously relief that her son has a judgment-free place of his own.

“I want him to live his life, his very best life,” said Tant. “Have a life in which he felt independent, fulfilled, happy; the things everybody want for their own child.

“He is the happiest he has ever been.”