Wakeland Housing Replaces Blighted Building with New Energy-Efficient Complex
January 1, 2007
The Tower Lodge Motel, a source of high police activity in recent years, has been removed and will be replaced by an energy-efficient apartment complex by Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation. The removal of the motel is one step in the continued revitalization efforts of the City of Chula Vista in the redevelopment area. The new project, Los Vecinos, will benefit the community as a “green”, multi-family affordable housing complex in the place of a once crime ridden building.
The Tower Lodge Motel was included in a crime study regarding exorbitant calls for service at Chula Vista motel locations. According to the Chula Vista Police Department, in the operational period of 2004, the former Tower Lodge Motel was the location with the highest calls for service per room in the City of Chula Vista. Ongoing attention drawn to the condition of the property and the identification of the motel as a crime hot spot prompted the eventual closure of the motel.
Wakeland’s removal of the building relieves the City of a source of blight and offers rejuvenation in the area with an energy-efficient replacement. In its place, Wakeland will develop 42 units of multi-family affordable housing. Councilmember, Steve Castaneda said of the plans, "The Los Vecinos Project provides welcomed redevelopment of an existing blighted property and much needed affordable housing for families struggling to make ends meet.” Utilizing information obtained through the pilot program of the City of Chula Vista to incorporate green building into multi-family housing, Wakeland created an eco-friendly design. Electricity generated by rooftop solar panels and energy-smart construction will support 90% of the project. Castaneda notes, “The energy efficient, 'green design' features integrated into the project offer one more example of how Chula Vista leads the way in sustainable building."
As with all Wakeland projects, future residents of Los Vecinos will benefit from free resident programs. Programs such as Computer Training, “Neighbor 2 Neighbor,” and After School programming will offer opportunities for residents.
Not only will the demolition of the motel remove the burden of a deteriorated crime magnet, but it makes way for new environmentally friendly, affordable housing where services will be provided for the residents.
The Tower Lodge Motel, a source of high police activity in recent years, has been removed and will be replaced by an energy-efficient apartment complex by Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation. The removal of the motel is one step in the continued revitalization efforts of the City of Chula Vista in the redevelopment area. The new project, Los Vecinos, will benefit the community as a “green”, multi-family affordable housing complex in the place of a once crime ridden building.
The Tower Lodge Motel was included in a crime study regarding exorbitant calls for service at Chula Vista motel locations. According to the Chula Vista Police Department, in the operational period of 2004, the former Tower Lodge Motel was the location with the highest calls for service per room in the City of Chula Vista. Ongoing attention drawn to the condition of the property and the identification of the motel as a crime hot spot prompted the eventual closure of the motel.
Wakeland’s removal of the building relieves the City of a source of blight and offers rejuvenation in the area with an energy-efficient replacement. In its place, Wakeland will develop 42 units of multi-family affordable housing. Councilmember, Steve Castaneda said of the plans, "The Los Vecinos Project provides welcomed redevelopment of an existing blighted property and much needed affordable housing for families struggling to make ends meet.” Utilizing information obtained through the pilot program of the City of Chula Vista to incorporate green building into multi-family housing, Wakeland created an eco-friendly design. Electricity generated by rooftop solar panels and energy-smart construction will support 90% of the project. Castaneda notes, “The energy efficient, 'green design' features integrated into the project offer one more example of how Chula Vista leads the way in sustainable building."
As with all Wakeland projects, future residents of Los Vecinos will benefit from free resident programs. Programs such as Computer Training, “Neighbor 2 Neighbor,” and After School programming will offer opportunities for residents.
Not only will the demolition of the motel remove the burden of a deteriorated crime magnet, but it makes way for new environmentally friendly, affordable housing where services will be provided for the residents.