ROCKFORD — New lifestyle is becoming breathed into Concord Commons, and inhabitants — for the most component — welcome the variations.
It’s been just more than a 12 months because Alabama-primarily based home developer Envolve Communities ordered the 212-unit reduced-money housing complex at a expense of $6.4 million from Rockford Housing Advancement Corp. with a assure to revitalize the assets.
Travel into Concord’s key entrance at 552 Elm St. and site visitors will promptly recognize development trailers and workers toting supplies and machines to and from the flats.
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Each and every apartment is obtaining new windows, new lights fixtures, new flooring, doorways, new vitality-economical kitchen area appliances, countertops and cabinetry, new A/C units and baseboard heating. The upgraded bathrooms include new vanities and tubs and chrome plumbing fixtures.
“It seriously has been a long time due to the fact this property has had any authentic get the job done performed to it,” new home supervisor Tequila Brown reported of the 51-yr-previous housing advancement.
‘Big-time upgrades’
The interior of all the residences is being completed initially.
Prepared exterior improvements to the properties and grounds include new entryways, refurbished breezeways, new siding, spruced up landscaping throughout the complex, a new playground and updated lighting.
“I am definitely thrilled about the local community heart,” Brown said of a creating that has however to be constructed but will include a prevalent region with a big Tv set, a kitchenette, and a laundry facility — a a great deal-desired would like-record item among residents.
Each individual apartment renovation usually takes about 10 times to complete.
Brittany Ellis, 22, and her 3-12 months-aged son have been citizens of Harmony Commons for three months. She stated the parade of contractors coming in and out of her apartment in the course of the working day is not perfect, but she appreciates the stop final result will be really worth the inconvenience.
“We’re getting major-time upgrades,” Ellis said. “The stove, the fridge and microwave are all like three periods bigger than what was in there ahead of.”
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Aundrea Evans, 35, a 3-calendar year resident of Concord, is presently experiencing her refurbished device.
“I really like it,” she reported. “It’s all up to date.”
The condominium renovations begun in March and are predicted to be complete by the close of the 12 months, Brown stated.
Transforming look, way of thinking
Concord Commons, at times a haven for drug peddling and gun violence, was bought to Envolve in section simply because of its reputation for proudly owning, renovating and successfully controlling inexpensive housing developments across the place.
In addition to upgrading amenities, just one of Envolve’s initially tangible steps was to replace Metro Enforcement with new protection firm, Condition Security Providers.
The firm’s safety guards are tasked with implementing an 11 p.m. curfew, cracking down on loud parties and late-evening disturbances, and promptly eliminating individuals who have been banned from the property.
Brown claimed several of the principles being enforced now have normally been in place but ended up not constantly enforced.
And while not all of the residents agree with the curfew, Brown reported it serves as a deterrent.
“A lot of the concerns that Harmony has is not from the citizens of Harmony,” she reported. “A good deal people see this as an out-of-sight, out-of-mind community and think it really is effortless to appear over in this article and commence difficulties.”
Brown stated Envolve is not only dedicated to changing the overall look of Harmony Commons, but also the attitude of its residents.
“We quite a lot want persons out listed here to be happy of exactly where they stay.”
Chris Green: cgreen@rrstar.com @chrisfgreen
