(Newswire.net — May 26, 2014) Albany, OR — Apartments in Albany Oregon have taken steps to improve the neighborhood. The Washington Street Studio Apartments located at 1410 Washington Street SW, Albany, OR 97321 used to be known as the Jolly Motel. The Jolly had a well-deserved bad reputation that the new buyer and current owner is spending time and money to turn into a safe, enjoyable and affordable residence. This site underwent about $400,000 in renovations in 2007 and 2008 helped by $39,000 in grant funding through the Central Albany Revitalization Area. The Albany Police report that the property gets fewer and fewer calls. One long term tenant Clyde Waters who witnessed the change first hand says “it’s 100 percent better now!”
The apartment complex’s improvements in appearance and safety have been used as an example of the Central Albany Revitalization Area’s success by Kate Porsche, Albany’s Urban Renewal Manager. As reported in the Albany Democrat-Herald, during a presentation first given at a town hall meeting in July 2012, Porsche said that investments at eight CARA-funded addresses have reduced police calls by 140 a year, leaving police with more time to deal with other crime.
Nate Crider, manager of the Washington Street Studio Apartments, said that “We’ve been focusing our time and enery in trying to make this place nice and clean for our tenants. If someone acts out in violation of the rental agreement we react quickly to move them out.”
Recently, a common picnic area has been added including a barbeque and picnic table. Tenants are invited to use this area to enjoy the landscaping and vegetable gardening area. Crider believes this creates a “community feeling of trust and mutual respect.” More information is available at www.albanyoregonapartments.com.