The Atlanta Housing Authority has tapped developer Columbia Residential to renovate the Juniper and Tenth high rise in Midtown into housing units to serve low-income seniors and persons with disabilities.
Constructed in 1974, the renovated building will have 149 affordable housing units, with 30 apartments will be reserved for residents earning 50 percent of area median household income, and 119 units will be reserved for residents earning 60 percent of area median household income.
Along with enhanced energy efficiency (including Green Building Certification) and fully renovated apartment units, the building will have a fitness center, a business center, upgraded laundry facilities, an exam room, a community room, a recycling center, a covered terrace and an outdoor patio. Renovations are expected to be completed in January 2018.
Surber Barber Choate + Hertlein Architects, Long Engineering and J.M. Wilkerson Construction Co, Inc. make up the development team. Financing was made possible through partnerships with the Atlanta Housing Authority, Wells Fargo and Sugar Creek Capital.
Due to the extensive nature of repairs needed, all current residents of the building were relocated during the construction process. Atlanta Housing Authority and Columbia worked with each resident, service providers and other property owners to create relocation plans that provided residents with a variety of options and supportive services. All costs for housing searches, moving costs and application fees and costs for new properties have been covered. Additionally, residents have been given the right to return to Juniper and Tenth following the renovation. At this point, more than half of residents have elected to return to the high rise following renovations.
