Old Fourth Ward adds 80 affordable apartments; more on the way

For years, Boulevard in Old Fourth Ward has had the reputation as a rundown corridor, saddled with dilapidated public housing and vacant lots. More recently, signs of stability — namely impactful investment nearby and community involvement — have brightened the Boulevard outlook.

Now, thanks to the steady replacement of the aging Bedford Pine community with an emphasis on affordability, things are looking up for residents — and especially seniors — in the district.

This week, Wingate Companies and Columbia Residential unveiled the first building in a multi-phase revitalization of largely abandoned lots around Boulevard and Angier Avenue — the eastern extension of downtown’s Pine Street.

The first phase, City Lights, features 80 one-bedroom apartments for seniors. But far from the dated garden-style walk-ups that dominate the area, the new building offers plenty of amenities such as a sundeck, state-of-the-art fitness center, a community kitchen, plenty of programming to keep residents active, and WiFi.

Who said seniors on fixed incomes shouldn’t be able to enjoy the amenities that’ve become standard in apartments across the city, right?

For its successes, the project has been recognized with the “Gold Achievement Award” by the National Association of Home Builders for best 55 and over development.

Google Maps

With City Lights complete, work will soon begin on a 96-unit apartment building across the street, officials said this week.

The five-story Station 464 apartments will replace four aging apartment buildings between Boulevard and Latta Street.

Look for construction to launch on that project in 2017.

• Old Fourth Ward’s Boulevard could see new condo, hotel tower [Curbed Atlanta]