ALTON - Four months after the first tenant moved into triplexes that replaced a troubled public housing complex, the collaborative effort that led to it is getting praise.
The developer celebrated Thursday with a ribbon-cutting attended by city, state and county officials and construction representatives. Each speaker lauded Alton Pointe.
"We're proud of this facility," said developer Greg Lee, senior vice president of asset management for Gundaker Commercial Group of Chesterfield, Mo. "John Hamm had a vision and we tried to work with the city of Alton. When John came on board, he had more vision than his predecessor. We appreciate everything he had to do for us."
Hamm is executive director of the Madison County Housing Authority and mayor of Madison.
Hamm praised cooperation of the MCHA board of trustees and Gundaker. "We are increasing the awareness of public housing and making it work. And we are staying on top of the crime issues. We're making changes in the county."
The MCHA is redeveloping the Lee Wright complex in Venice into "Meachum Crossing" homes.
The $9,438,000 redevelopment is on 8.94 acres, the site of the former Sullivan Homes housing complex north of Riley Avenue at Della Avenue. It has 28 triplex buildings with 84 units, 54 of which are occupied or have leases. Lee said he expects to have the complex filled in 60 days.
Lee said there still are openings because units are designated for people paying market price rent; those needing handicapped-accessible apartments; and low-income tenants.
"Some of the units are set aside while we find applicants who fit (the designations), he said. "We also are trying to be selective with people, not only checking their credit, but also their criminal background. Our goal is to move them in, and they will rarely move out."
There are 10 one-bedroom and 26 two-bedroom garden apartments with 808 and 943 square feet, respectively. There are 28 936-square-foot two-bedroom townhouses; and 20 1,209-square-foot three-bedroom apartments.
Five apartments are fully accessible, meeting Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. There also is a playground and management-community building with computers for residents' use.
Lee said he hopes to have the complex filled within 60 days. Anyone wanting information on the apartments can call (618) 462-2660.
Shannon Davidson, 34, moved into one of the garden units July 9 after she was well enough to leave a nursing home. She smiled broadly when asked if she likes living in Alton Pointe.
"They are awesome," she said of the apartments. "It's quiet and the neighbors are pretty nice." Davidson, who uses a wheelchair, said the complex is convenient and a Madison County Transit District ACT bus takes her to a shopping center and restaurant not far away.
Contegra Construction Co. Inc. of Edwardsville was general contractor. The city demolished Sullivan Homes in January 2005. The complex, managed by the MCHA, was crime-ridden, in disrepair and decreased in population over the years.
State Rep. Dan Beiser, D-Alton, praised the development.
"I just applaud the way the mayor (Alton Mayor Don Sandidge), Mayor Hamm and Alan Dunstan" worked together, Beiser said. Dunstan is Madison County Board chairman.
"Sometimes it had a bad reputation, and sometimes it was well-deserved," Beiser said of Sullivan Homes. "It was turned into something we can be proud of."
Dunstan called the development "a very long process" and related how when he became County Board chairman, he learned of problems at the MCHA.
"I was told it was hands off," he said. "We took it by storm." He named James Gray of Alton and Bobby Collins of Godfrey to the MCHA board and appointed Hamm as director.
"This is just the beginning of what John Hamm is going to be doing throughout Madison County. And people should be proud of what Don Sandidge did. Instead of putting our heads in the sand, we found a solution. This is housing that anyone in Alton, Madison County or the region should be proud of."
Sandidge said he and Phil Roggio, Alton director of development and housing, tried to get something done about Sullivan for a long time.
"We made many trips to the MCHA (Collinsville) to get things done, but we got nowhere" before Hamm came on board.
"As a retired police officer, I spent a lot of hours here," he said. "I'm amazed at the improvement we have here. Before, you would have been afraid to drive through it."
Gray said it is a "blessing" and "godsend" for the city to get Alton Pointe.
"It brought a new meaning to what housing is," he said.
Mike Hejna, president and chief executive officer of Gundaker promised: "We will be here through the duration. We are creating a community that has continuity and longevity. We are very proud and privileged to be a part of your community."
Gundaker has a 99-year lease with MCHA to initially pay $1,000 per year rent, which will increase over the years. MCHA is providing an operating subsidy for 21 of the housing units, according to the lease.
Gundaker obtained 10-year federal tax credits, a loan and trust fund loan from the Illinois Housing Development Authority, plus a $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant money to pay consulting fees.
