Atlantic/Pacific Communities (A|P Communities), a subsidiary of Atlantic/Pacific Companies (A|P), and partner Palmetto Homes, along with local officials recently celebrated the grand opening of Island Living Apartments, a 70-unit, mixed-use, affordable housing development located in the heart of Overtown.
Attendees included Miami-Dade County Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson, Miami Commissioner and Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (SEOPW CRA) chair Keon Hardemon, Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez, Miami Commissioner and SEOPW CRA vice chair Wifredo “Willy” Gort, and SEOPW CRA executive director Clarence E. Woods III.
The evening commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, declaring the official grand opening of the new building. Guests were then greeted by an authentic Bahamian Junkanoo band leading them to the third floor terrace for the continued celebration.
Island Living is part of the overall revitalization of the Overtown neighborhood. It is the first project to be completed of four new affordable housing buildings planned for the area in partnership with the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (Park West CRA), a City of Miami agency dedicated to spearheading new development efforts to benefit revitalization of the Overtown area and beyond.
“The Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency is proud to be a part of the development of this beautiful building,” said Clarence E. Woods III, SEOPW CRA executive director. “Like most communities across the nation, there is a great need for more affordable housing. This project is a perfect example of our efforts, in partnership with Atlantic/Pacific Communities and Palmetto Homes, to expand housing opportunities and provide a better quality of life for our residents.”
Island Living is an 11-story multi-family rental building, featuring one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, offering high-quality, affordable housing for local residents. The property’s ground floor space will house appealing retail serving both the building’s residents and the overall community. In addition to the 5,000 square feet of commercial space, the fully occupied building offers residents pedestrian friendly streetscapes, a playground area, community room, gym, and computer lab.
Island Living is particularly unique in that it has contributed to the Overtown community from the ground up. Ario Lundy, president of Palmetto Homes and a partner on the Island Living development, launched a special campaign at the onset of construction when he hired Overtown residents and young people from Miami-Dade County’s Boot Camp program to assist in the construction of the property. Boot Camp offers young men and women who have been convicted of a crime an alternative to prison, while teaching them a trade and allowing them to earn an income.
For more information about A|P Communities, visit www.apcommunities.com. For more information about A|P and its array of real estate services including development, property management, affordable housing, and construction, visit www.apmanagement.net or call (800) 918-1145.
