The Mulholland Group—a Whitestone, N.Y.–based company that breathes new life into run-down housing complexes with the assistance of federal, state and local government—celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 5, at which Mayor Lee Leffingwell and City Council members Mike Martinez and Kathie Tovo were in attendance.
"TMG believes in more than bricks and mortar, that we should do more than the simple provision of shelter," said Royce Mulholland, president and CEO of TMG. "That's what we have set out to do here in this community."
The Palms, located at 8600 N. Lamar Blvd., has 476 apartments with studio and one- and two-bedroom units available. About 1,500 residents live in The Palms, and 150 of them were residents of the Malibu Apartments who chose to stay at the renovated complex. As of Dec. 5, the complex was 100 percent leased. To qualify for living at The Palms, residents must earn at least 60 percent of the average median family income.
Mulholland said that the Malibu Apartments had become run-down and were known for having issues with drug use and prostitution.
"We've given it new life and want to give an opportunity to our residents, our customers, to flourish as well," he said.
The Palms also partnered with Front Steps, a nonprofit that runs the downtown homeless shelter, to pay rent for 14 apartments for chronically homeless residents. Front Steps also supplies donated furniture, said Shawna Williams, a housing coordinator and case manager at Front Steps. She said TMG additionally gave each of the 14 residents a welcoming package with dishes, pots and pans and towels.
"We were almost moved to tears," she said.
All 476 units received new energy-efficient and water-saving appliances, and 48 of the renovated units follow Americans with Disabilities Act standards for accessibility.
Mulholland said the clubhouse was expanded by about 1,500 square feet and the company built a learning center where The Palms can hold English, fitness, nutrition and other instructional classes. Residents also have access to free wireless Internet throughout the complex.
TMG purchased the property in 2010 from a company in Utah and received a loan insured by the U.S. Department of Urban Housing. The state provided $15 million in housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The City of Austin provided a $3 million loan from a $55 million bond package that voters approved in 2008 for affordable housing.
Leffingwell said the city would like to support future affordable housing projects like The Palms.
"The need is so great, and we've got so far to go," he said.
The complex is the first project that TMG has undertaken in Texas, and Mulholland said he would like to see more get done.
For more information about The Palms, call 837-5556 or visit www.thepalmsonlamar.com.
Latest Comments