From left: Infanzon, Rodriguez,
Hughes

LOS ANGELES-Abode Communities has kicked off construction of a 65-unit seniors complex in Bell Gardens, and Amcal Multi-Housing is readying the opening of a 34-unit project that is the first of its type in Palos Verdes, also a seniors project. The Abode development is called Terra Bella and is designed for low-income seniors with rents from $756 to $851, while the Amcal project is designed as seniors work force housing with rents beginning at $325 versus $1,325 for comparable market rate units.

Officials from Los Angeles-based Abode and the City of Bell Gardens unveiled plans for Terra Bella, a $21 million development, this week at a ceremony marking the demolition of a blighted complex on site at at 5720 Clara St. The city is providing redevelopment funds for the demolition and the new seniors complex. Construction is anticipated to start in late summer at Terra Bella, which will feature one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 560 square feet to 750 square feet, with rental subsidy provided by the county.

From left: Crespo, Aceituno, Hughes, Rodriguez, Infanzon

The complex that will be razed at the 1.75-acre site, which has been vacant since December 2007, includes a 16-unit apartment building and a commercial building previously used as a medical clinic. Both buildings are blighted and have become magnets for transients, drug and gang violence, graffiti and vandalism, according to an Abode news release.

Robin Hughes, president of Abode Communities, noted that Terra Bella will provide comprehensive social services and community resources, including assistance with daily living activities, health and wellness programs to prevent or delay physical and cognitive decline, recreation and civic engagement to prevent isolation and foster social interaction, and financial and legal services to provide access to benefits and prevent fraud. The Human Services Association will provide additional third-party services. The property will also feature a community room, laundry facilities, a community garden, and a mind-body fitness area.

Amcal's Mirandela Project

The building will incorporate environmentally conscious features in a design that incorporates many LEED for Homes building practices. Bell Gardens officials on hand for the ceremony this week included Mayor Jennifer Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Sergio Infanzon, council members Pedro Aceituno, Daniel Crespo, and Priscilla Flores and city manager Steve Simonian.

Amcal's grand opening of its Mirandela project, at 5555 Crestridge Rd., is slated for March 2. The Agoura Hills-based company notes that, after previous developers could not produce a feasible plan, the city selected Amcal to build the project, which was designed by Withee Malcolm Architects. Amcal is headed by Percy Vaz, CEO of the Agoura Hills-based company.

Mirandela is a 100% affordable project that is available to qualified seniors who earn between 30% and 60% of the area median income. Five percent of the apartments are currently built as accessible units to tenants who are disabled or in wheelchairs, while the remaining apartments are constructed as adaptable units that can be converted as tenants age.

Community amenities include a barbecue and seating area with trellis and gazebo, a 1,400-square-foot community clubhouse, computer lab and media room. Mirandela residents will also have access to a variety of free services, including personal finance classes, computer training and wellness activities courtesy of LifeSteps, a non-profit provider of social services for residents of work force housing in California.

Amcal and Las Palmas Foundation secured the necessary financing to build Mirandela. The development was financed with an award of $7.27 million in 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, which were awarded in 2009, and cost over $12.78 million to build. Equity, construction and permanent loans were provided by Bank of America and public financing from the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Redevelopment Agency. Amcal General Contractors was the general contractor on the development and completed the community ahead of schedule and within budget.