The Monroe Plaza Apartments in Green Bay. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — New life could be coming to an affordable housing building in downtown Green Bay that police have deemed a nuisance property the past four years.
It seems it’s rare to have a day without an issue at the 197-unit Monroe Plaza Apartments on the corner of Main and Monroe.
“We constantly get the fire department and the police coming here with some problem or another,” said Jeffrey Bailey, who has lived in the building the past 11 years. “Every time you turn around, someone is not watching their cooking and then they cause the fire alarm to go off.”
In the past year, the property has had 589 calls for service, according to the Green Bay Police Department.
The city hopes a new owner, new management and a pricey remodel will help turn things around.
“There’s been some code issues, and I think some management issues,” said Cheryl Renier-Wigg, the city of Green Bay development director. “They have been working with us, but I know it’s been a challenge for the last couple of years.”
The city’s Housing Authority has agreed to provide Monroe Plaza Housing I, LLC, a group based in California, up to $27.5 million in tax-exempt conduit revenue bonds to buy and remodel the apartments.
The developer, SDG Housing Partners, has renovated more than 45 other affordable housing properties across the country.
“Trying to make it look like it’s a modern market rate property,” said Michael Arman of SDG Housing Partners. “Just because it’s affordable housing, there’s no need for it to look like affordable housing.”
Just as long as the rent stays affordable is what matters most to tenants like Bailey.
“I can’t afford really to be looking for another apartment,” said Bailey.
The plan would be to start the work next year, which would include new windows, enhanced security, improved common areas, new lighting and signage and painting.
Developers say tenants would temporarily live in other units while their unit is being worked on.
The group is also planning to apply for tax credits in December.
Despite the issues with the property, occupancy has been 97%. City officials say that is an example of the dire need for affordable housing in the area.
Comments