Q&AZ: What's replacing the Deck Park Vista apartments in downtown Phoenix?
Demolition is underway at a downtown Phoenix apartment complex that once housed low-income seniors. That led one listener to ask through KJZZ's Q&AZ project: What's the status of the Deck Park Vista apartments?
Those seniors were forced to move out of Deck Park Vista apartments last year. The 56-unit complex near 3rd Street and McDowell Road is being demolished to build a five-story complex called the Moreland.
Joe Keeper is director of real estate development with Native American Connections, the nonprofit working with Phoenix on redeveloping the city-owned parcel.
“Their goal is to increase density on the site, create more affordability options, so we’ll go up to 236 units on that property all said and done,” he said.
Keeper says the goal is to move the displaced seniors back into the property if they want to and if they meet income and eligibility requirements required as part of the development’s tax credit program. That means residents who move in during the first phase late next year cannot have household incomes above 60% of the area median income.
Keeper said they hope to increase income eligibility for the second phase, which should open in 2024. A property management team will work with residents to offer support services to fit the community needs.
“It might be food security, it might be programs for youth, it might be socialization, whatever the need is,” Keeper said.
In a report, the city’s housing department said the Moreland, “will be designed to attract renters utilizing current urban development practices including incorporating green building techniques, pedestrian friendly design, community amenities and ample green space and parking.”
