Mid City Townhouses moving forward

The Gulf Coast Housing Partnership has filed for a building permit for Mid City Townhouses, its $4 million residential development at the site of the former Olinde’s furniture store at N. 19th and North streets.

The four-building development will consist of 32 two-story townhomes — 11 two-bedroom units and 21 three-bedroom units — according to plans filed with the city-parish. Three of the buildings will be on the west side of North 19th between North and Gayosa streets, while another and a pavilion will be on the east side.

Gulf Coast would not comment on the development, citing a new policy against discussing projects before they are completed. But the city-parish approved the development in March. In prior interviews, Gulf Coast has said townhomes there will be offered for lease-to-own for households making $35,000 a year or less.

Gulf Coast would partner with the Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance, which would provide counseling to qualified buyers to get them into the homes. The pavilion area would include barbecue grills, water fountains and an open basketball court to serve the townhomes and community.

Construction is slated to take a year, which would put the completion at summer 2013 if work begins on schedule.

Gulf Coast is involved with other projects around the city, with an emphasis on Midcity. They are:

• The $8.4 million One Stop Homeless Services Center, which opened late last year in the former Scott Elementary School at North 19th and Grace streets.
• The Elysian, a 100-unit, mixed-income development nearby on Spanish Town Road, which got Planning Commission approval last year and is now under way. That project is being done with developer Donnie Jarreau.
• A $10 million condominium and retail development at Terrace Avenue in Old South Baton Rouge, announced a few years ago, is waiting on financing.