Central air conditioning, a new security system, new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and a redesign of common areas are just a few of the upgrades residents at 1474 Columbia Road NW will see after renovations are complete in 2015. Work is expected to start on the affordable housing property in spring 2014.
Jubilee Housing, a nonprofit faith-based organization that provides affordable housing and supportive services to economically disadvantaged residents of Adams Morgan, is in the predevelopment and redesign stage on the project, says Constantine Caloudas of Jubilee Housing. The apartments are for people making 30 to 70 percent of the area median income (AMI). A family of four in Washington, D.C at 30 percent AMI makes $32,200 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website.
"We redeveloped this property with the current tenants’ incomes in mind," says Caloudas. He adds that the residents will be given a budget during the renovations to temporarily relocate offsite.
The existing 65-unit apartment building known as The Maycroft was constructed in 1922 and was designated a historic landmark in 2011. While some of the exterior will remain unchanged, the building will receive some much-needed updates inside. The building will lose one full apartment to help make room within some of the existing apartments for additional bedrooms. More modern amenities and refurbishments are also being added for the residents.
The project also entails a small increase in the number of parking spaces and three ground-level community centers: a Family Resource Center, a Child Development Center, and a Teen Renaissance Center. The child center can help look after 70 children at a time with 25 full-time staff on hand, and the Teen Renaissance Center, with four full-time staff, can handle a max of 30 teens. The Family Resource Center will offer workshops and classes for parents, residents and locals.
"The [children-geared] community centers represent a continuum of support to underserved children and youth…starting from four-weeks-old to college-age," says Caloudas.
The Historic Preservation Review Board has signed off on the project, however, special exceptions at the BZA are still being considered and some “additional financing” is being considered this month, says Caloudas.
Construction is expected to finish within 12 months from start date.
Lisa Spinelli is Elevation DC's development editor as well as a freelance journalist, copy editor and mother of two. After receiving her Master of Science in print journalism from Columbia University in 2004, Lisa worked across the country and in Italy as a journalist, editor and Web editor. Her website
LisaSpinelli.com has links to a smattering of her published clips.