Council Clears Laurel Gardens Redevelopment

The redevelopment of Laurel Gardens took a major step forward Wednesday night with a decision by the Laurel Council to allow additional apartments at the project.

The Council unanimously approved the site's conceptual plan as part of a revitalization of the area. Laurel Reality Co., the site’s developer, is proposing to spend about $10 million to demolish the existing complex and build garden apartments and townhomes.

Wednesday’s vote allows for the construction of 114 units, up from the 96 units that were originally planned. The complex sits along Park Avenue, Ninth Street and Phillip Powers Drive.

Residents of the complex and those living nearby by made a final appeal to Council members to curtail the project.

Kathy Tisman, a resident of the complex, told the council it was one of the few buildings in the region that she could afford on her salary as a florist. Fighting back tears, she told the Council she had a nervous breakdown after hearing the complex would be demolished.

“Most of the tenants are struggling people,” she said. “People who work hard.”

The complex would be demolished in phases, though no timetable has been set.

Residents contend they have been shut out of the planning process and fear the redevelopment could wreak havoc on traffic along the roads in the neighborhood.

“There’s been a lot of talk and we feel that we’re being overlooked,” said resident Anthony Tassallo. “We’ve lost all hope here in knowing a time table.”

Representatives for the developer said the building was constructed 60 years ago and that Laurel Reality has been losing money on it for the last few years.

C. Philip Nichols Jr., whose family owned Laurel Realty and built Laurel Gardens in the early 1950s, said redeveloping the property was the only alternative.

“We’ve explored every reasonable [option],” he said. “I know change is difficult, but it’s [an] economic reality…[redeveloping] is a good and sound plan.”

Councilman Hayes Edward Ricks agreed that redeveloping the property was in the best interest of the city.

“I truly do feel for the people living in the apartments,” he said. “The economic bases are just not there for the apartments to continue.”

Mayor Craig Moe said the city will continue to address the concerns of residents as the project moves forward.

“There will be more dialogue with the community,” he said. “This is the first of many things.”