City Council Votes to Support Garfield Square Apartments

Monday nigh, the Duluth City Council was voting whether to support awarding low–income housing tax credits to Garfield Square Apartments requested by Center City Housing Corporation.

If it goes through, that could be where residents of the Esmond Building will end up.

The Esmond Building is in need of repair but the restoration can not be completed unless the building is unoccupied.

A couple blocks down the street is the Garfield Square Apartments and if they are rewarded low-income housing tax credits, Esmond Building occupants could be moved there.

There are many benefits to the Garfield Square Apartments. One big one is the location.

“We really do not want to end up with all of our low income housing down town because that just creates some problems,” said Councilor Barb Russ.

The Garfield Apartments would provide single bedroom apartments instead of rooms. It would also give tenants addition security.

“There’s going to be a 24-hour desk when you come in. So there’s going to be less of a problem than we’ve had with police calls, so I think that’s going to be an important part of that project,” said Russ.

The council voted yes Monday night to support the apartments application to receive low–income housing tax credits.

It’s important to remember that this bid could still be denied, even with the city council’s support.