By Lyndsie Ferrell
SOUTH FORK— Formally known as South Fork Heights, the newly named South Fork Garden Walk Apartments were the recipients of a USDA rural housing award. Garden Walk was the recipient of the 2017 Colorado Multi-Family Housing Property of the Year Award. The award is gifted to low-income rural housing complexes that go above and beyond for not only their residents, but for their communities as well.
“We were really thrilled to receive such a wonderful award for our work here and in the community. We have worked really hard to bring the apartments back to life and help enhance the community of South Fork by doing so,” said resident manager Brandy Wilson. The USDA looks at several factors for the award and that includes the work an organization does on affordable housing facilities within rural communities like South Fork.
A company called Belmont Management purchased the property three years ago with hopes of receiving funding from HUD Housing to help with a remodel project. Over the course of the three-year wait, the buildings fell into disrepair and tenants found themselves in less than appropriate conditions.
The long wait was over in the spring of 2017, when word that the entire facility would receive enough funding to completely remodel every unit, refurbish sidewalks and parking lots, add in a new playground and community building as well as new laundry facilities and landscaping. The entire project was federally funded through the HUD program, bringing the income-based apartments up to code and ADA compliant.
The project began in August 2017 and required the current residents to move to the front four buildings on the property while the back four units were completely gutted and remodeled. Each of the one, two and three-bedroom units received wood flooring, ceiling fans, forced central heat, new fixtures throughout the units and new appliances in the kitchens and bathrooms. Then the project moved outdoors where siding and outdoor fixtures were replaced.
The back parking lot has been completely repaved and the sidewalks around the back units are brand new. In addition to the remodel and paving projects, the funding will also allow for new landscaping in the spring and a new community building that will house a small library, public computer and family event space. The outdoor area behind the complex to the east will have a picnic area complete with a pergola and barbeque pit.
After work was complete, Belmont Management contacted Wilson to schedule a grand opening and ribbon-cutting that will take place on June 7. “It is going to be a really great time and we invite everyone to come and join us. It will be a catered event with a ribbon-cutting with the South Fork Chamber of Commerce,” said Wilson.
The event kicks off at noon with lunch and the ribbon cutting will take place at 1 p.m. Financing for the entire remodel project came from HUD, 42 Equity Partners, AEGON USA Reality Advisors, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, USDA Rural Development and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.