Affordable housing units open

Gone is the old produce warehouse, knocked down to make way for new, affordable housing on the outskirts of downtown Salt Lake City.

City housing officials on Monday gathered to officially open the second phase of the Jefferson School Apartments, 1011 S. West Temple. Residents will begin moving into the 84 units early next month, joining those living in the three-year-old first phase that Salt Lake housing authority administrators say helped revitalize a depressed neighborhood.

Authority executive director Rosemary Kappes said officials have long had great expectations for the area — an older neighborhood surrounded by commercial properties.

"Our faith is paying off, and we think this neighborhood is going to be the next hot thing," Kappes said, jokingly directing attendees to "go out and buy one of these dilapidated houses."

Many of the homes have been owned by absentee landlords who rent the properties, she said. But more and more young couples and professional singles are buying and refurbishing them, a transformation she said she sees each day as she drives to work along West Temple. "This whole neighborhood is going to change."

The Jefferson School Apartments are a mixed-income project, with half of the 168 units reserved for low-income families. Five units in each phase are deeply targeted for residents at 35 to 40 percent of the median income.

The project has one- and two-bedroom apartments, a soon-to-be-built clubhouse and pool and is within walking distance to a TRAX station and Franklin Covey Field.

A combination of bonds, tax credits and city and county funds paid for it.

Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon called the project a fulfillment of government's responsibility to make sure that all citizens have access to affordable housing. "As we know, housing in Utah and along the Wasatch Front is becoming more and more expensive." Without wages rising at the same pace, "having projects like this is very, very important."

Sam Guevara, chief of staff to Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, also thanked the housing authority and financial partners Enterprise Social Investment Coalition, US Bank and American Express Centurion Bank for their backing.

Also planned for the area are 24 condominiums to be ready for occupancy by spring 2006. The 2,000-square-foot units at about 1100 S. West Temple will be built on land that was owned in part by the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City. For more information on the Rowhaus Condos, visit www.blueconservancy.com.

For information on the Jefferson School Apartments, call 801-539-8700.

Second phase

Jefferson School Apartments, Phase II

One bedroom

Affordable: $540-$600

Market: $580-$745

Two bedroom

Affordable: $745

Market: $840-$875

More information, 801-539-8700

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E-mail: awelling@desnews.com