One day an 83-year-old widowed landlord came to inquire whether or not our organization would be interested in owning a rental property. Her tenants were destroying the property and not paying the rents and she want to get out of the property management business, cash out and retire to Florida. Just so happens, an initiative was in its beginning stages of strategic plans which involved community redevelopment, housing and parking. Robert Thomas a real estate developer, founder of the MLK, Jr. Business Empowerment Center, an advocate for Minority Entrepreneurship and Repurposing Visionary was selected to spearhead the neighborhood renaissance. The 83-year-old widower’s need was in line with our plans and created win-win-win for all. The Landlord, the Community, and the birth of NACDC.
Long story short we embarked on a 17-step process to repurpose the properties. The steps were as follows:
Negotiations, Financing, Inspection, Meet with City Project Review Team, Relocations, Meet with Local and State Historic Commissions, Hire Architect, Survey, Determine Highest and Best Use, Hire Contractors to conduct mandatory environmental land clean-up, demolition, secure permit, construction, occupancy permits, rentals-safe and affordable housing for New Americans and property management oversight.