Tax credits to go to 2 affordable housing developments
/
Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times file The proposed River View at Calallen Apartments would be built at this location in the 12000 block of Leopard Street.
A state award of tax credits is expected to boost affordable apartment options as the city struggles with a housing crisis.
Late last week, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs awarded tax credits to two proposed developments in the city, said Eddie Ortega, director of the city's Housing and Community Development department. One would demolish and rebuild an existing apartment complex in Flour Bluff, and the other would construct a new apartment complex in the Calallen area.
The tax credit awards are good news, not only in helping to address the housing situation, but also in offering opportunities to children of families who will live in those locations, said Mayor Nelda Martinez.
"These are two excellent school districts where (the) children will have a great opportunity to get a quality education, no matter the socioeconomic background they come from," she said.
One development receiving tax credits would tear down an existing complex at 711 Glenoak Drive and replace the 40-year-old structure with a $13.8 million development that would include new amenities, such as after-school programs and tutoring, city documents state. According to a council presentation, the households that would be served make less than 50 percent of the area's median income. Average median income in Corpus Christi is $47,481.
Demolition of Glenoak could begin as early as May, said Raymond Lucas, an independent assessment manager with Housing and Community Services, a developer of the project.
City Councilwoman Colleen McIntyre, who represents the area, said Tuesday that work on the 40-year-old apartments is greatly needed. Coupled with additional updates such as masonry exteriors and computer labs, the demolition and rebuild will create a better environment for residents who live in the complex and also enhance the surrounding community, she said.
The second tax credit award would help push forward the construction of a complex called River View at Calallen in the 12000 block of Leopard Street. City documents show plans for 120 new units that would serve households bringing in less than 60 percent of the area median income. A presentation shown to the council lists Madhouse Development Services as the developer of the property. Representatives could not immediately be reached for comment this week.
New apartment complexes, particularly those intended to be affordable, frequently see controversy. Common arguments against the construction of apartment complexes include concerns ranging from increased traffic, noise and crime to drops in property value.
Proponents generally dispute those fears, frequently citing a "NIMBY" sentiment: "Not In My Backyard." Advocates also emphasize that the new affordable housing complexes don't look as they did in the 1960s and 1970s, but are now designed as attractive top-market apartments.
The City Council in February approved without dissent resolutions of support for five developments. The city was eligible for the award of tax credits for two developments this year.
The resolutions matter because the state weighs community support heavily when considering tax credit awards.
Last year, resolutions of support for three proposed developments in the Calallen area failed in a 4-4 vote by the council after concerns were raised about overcrowding in the school district.
City Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn, who has represented the Calallen area since January, said Tuesday she hoped residents would respond favorably to the proposed complex at the corner of Leopard Street and Callicoatte Road.
"Everyone has to have a place to live," she said.
