Retreat at Renaissance opening

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CHARLOTTE – Mayor Patsy Kinsey and members of City Council on Friday were scheduled to attend the grand opening of The Retreat at Renaissance, the first phase of a mixed-income community that will have 110 units for seniors on a fixed income. The building is at 3240 New Renaissance Way, near the intersection of West Boulevard and Billy Graham Parkway.

A joint venture of the Charlotte Housing Authority and Laurel Street Residential, the redeveloped property formerly known as Boulevard Homes will be funded in part through a $21 million Hope VI grant, which the Charlotte Housing Authority was awarded in 2010. Administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the program was developed by the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing to eradicate such housing.

The city of Charlotte has committed $7 million from its infrastructure funds and $5 million in housing trust funds to the redevelopment project.

The Renaissance’s communal areas feature a covered resident entryway with patio seating, a courtyard area with a gazebo and patio, a multipurpose room, an exercise room, a library computer center and garden plots.

The one-bedroom apartments range in size from 708 square feet to 771 square feet and rents are based on incomes. Residents have to be at least 62 years old to qualify.

Apartment amenities include fully equipped kitchens, hardwood cabinets, an open floor plan, large closets, shared laundry rooms on each floor and cable-ready hook ups.

The second phase of the redevelopment, The Residences at Renaissance, is for 74 mixed-income family units. Phase 3 will have 150 family units.

The village will feature a signature K-8 charter school, a five-star early childhood development center, a greenway connection and linkages to Southview Recreation Center.