Irvine, CA – Jamboree Housing Corporation, a leading developer of affordable housing in California, announced today the grand reopening of Emerald Cove Apartments in Huntington Beach, California on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Program participants include Huntington Beach Mayor Joe Carchio, members of the Huntington Beach City Council, Jamboree executives, partnership representatives and one of the property’s original residents since 1985. Interview and photo opportunities are available.
Prior to the reopening ceremony, Jamboree’s Resident Services Group, Housing with HEART, will also host a two-hour “HEARTwarming” for all Emerald Cove residents. This special event, a tradition at most Jamboree property openings, provides residents, community groups and local vendors a chance to socialize and celebrate while they experience the property’s many new amenities in a relaxed and festive setting. The event introduces residents to onsite services, the staff and management team. A welcome kit will include local community information, a maintenance request form, a sample property calendar or newsletter, information about unit inspections, tips on how to care for the apartments and how to get the most from ENERGY STAR appliances, lights, etc. Community partners – including the City’s extensive network of senior services – will feature resources that can assist residents with services such as transportation, medical assistance, utility subsidies, educational programs and more.
Originally built by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach in 1985, Emerald Cove has received a complete renovation and modernization upgrade following Jamboree’s recent acquisition of the property.
“With more than 20,000 seniors living in Huntington Beach, the modernization of Emerald Cove is in complete alignment with the City’s priority to provide affordable housing to its vibrant and active senior community,” says Laura Archuleta, president of Jamboree, one of California’s largest active affordable housing developers. “We are excited to bring our passion, skills and experience to this city and these residents.”
“What Jamboree has accomplished in such a short time and on a limited budget is exactly why we chose them,” says Joe Carchio, Mayor of Huntington Beach, “They provide the experience and understanding of how to maintain a successful property, and offer the high quality services we desire for our residents. They really understand our heart for seniors.”
Another key to the successful renovation – especially given the age and unique needs of many of the residents – is the swift, quality work performed by Santa Monica, California-based ICON Builders, a general contractor that specializes in the renovation and new construction of multifamily and senior affordable housing apartment projects with more than 15,000 residential units completed.
“Our partners at ICON did some amazing work with a very quick turnaround,” says Michael Massie, Jamboree’s housing development manager, “We’ve worked with them for ten years, and their work is always top quality. They were able to complete several major renovations, and the longest displacement time experienced by any Emerald Cove resident was only four days.” Massie notes that the quick turn-around was a high priority for both Jamboree and the City during the renovation. Collaborating with Overland Pacific & Cutler, Jamboree’s preferred relocation partner for many years, residents were given several choices for temporary housing during the rehab of their individual homes – a temporary visit with friends and family, a staycation at a local hotel or remain onsite in hotel units set up in one of the empty buildings.
“It was an honor to partner again with Jamboree on this project,” says Kelly Sands, president of ICON Builders. “The type of renovation at Emerald Cove is our specialty. Our team worked closely with the residents and management staff to make the work and coordination as stress-free as possible. There’s such a wonderful sense of community at this property. When residents returned to their “new” home, ICON gave each of them a recyclable move-in bag of household goods with a note expressing our appreciation for their cooperation. We look forward to many more projects such as this one.”
Located at 18191 Parktree Circle, Emerald Cove is situated near Beach Boulevard at the corner of Talbert Avenue and Jolly Lane – and not too far from Happy Drive. This garden-style community consists of nine two-story residential buildings with 164 studio and one-bedroom apartments, each with private outdoor spaces. Two of the apartments will be home to the onsite management staff.
Resident services will be provided by Jamboree’s Housing with HEART to Emerald Cove residents. Offered at more than 38 of Jamboree’s properties, Housing with HEART’s onsite resident services coordinator provide resident services that foster learning, health, community building to enrich the quality of life and are tailored to the specific needs of Emerald Cove residents – activities such as health and wellness programs, holiday celebrations, one-on-one resident attention, and assistance with access to the City’s extensive network of local community services. The John Stewart Company will handle onsite property management.
The neighborhood offers nearby retail, commercial and recreation opportunities within walking distance. The property is a few hundred feet from local transportation and just minutes from the City’s thriving Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center, downtown Huntington Beach, the Huntington Beach Pier and surrounding beaches. Emerald Cove is a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property and Jamboree’s second development with the City of Huntington Beach.
Financing for the development includes $8 million in permanent and construction loans from the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach, $3.6 million in tax credit equity from WNC, $7.75 million in permanent and construction loans from U.S. Bank with bonds issued by the County of Orange.
Extensive renovations to the property’s exterior include the repair and replacement of roofs, paving, fencing, new windows, doors, stucco, and wood siding. The 3,245 square-foot community building was gutted and redesigned to enhance interaction, accessibility and accommodate current needs of the residents. The main room was opened up and carpeting was replaced with hardwood, making it easier to navigate in a wheelchair or walker. Restroom facilities were increased and new meeting rooms, offices and three computer stations were added. The existing management office was converted into a more resident-friendly concierge/lobby-style transaction counter. An automatic handicap-accessible entry door was installed and the expanded patio area features drought-tolerant landscaping and new furnishings. Older ceiling light fixtures were replaced with combination fan/light fixtures to improve air circulation and lighting.
Renovations in the residences include kitchen and bathroom upgrades with new cabinets, countertops, ENERGY STAR appliances, and water-saving plumbing. New air conditioning units were installed, electrical wiring was repaired and updated, water heaters were replaced, and new paint and floor coverings were installed in each home.
In keeping with Jamboree’s commitment to sustainability, Emerald Cove is a transit-oriented development that features ENERGY STAR refrigerators and heaters in each apartment, water-saving fixtures in kitchens and bathrooms, CRI Green Label carpeting, and low-VOC interior paint and adhesives.
About Jamboree: Founded in 1990, Irvine, CA-headquartered Jamboree Housing Corporation is an award-winning, broad-based nonprofit housing development company that develops, acquires, renovates and manages permanently affordable rental and ownership housing throughout California for working families, seniors and people with special needs. HOMES, Inc. and Housing with HEART are 501(c)(3) organizations and comprise Jamboree’s Resident Services Group. A leading nonprofit developer, Jamboree is committed to sustaining excellence with high quality affordable housing that is good for the environment, the economy and local communities. It currently has about $250 million in affordable housing projects in its development pipeline and a $1 billion asset portfolio that includes the development of and/or ownership interest in more than 6,700 homes in more than 64 California communities. Currently, Housing with HEART programs and services that foster learning, health and community building are offered at 38 Jamboree communities with designated staff at each location. For more information, go to www.jamboreehousing.com.