"Profile of Essex House Apartments Takoma Park, Maryland" December 1995 Before CPDC's acquisition of Essex House Apartments in 1994, this 12-story, 135-unit high-rise building in Takoma Park, Maryland, was a conveniently located, affordable, but distressed housing resource. The community of Takoma Park is one of the most ethnically, racially, and economically diverse populations in the Washington metropolitan area, and has a long history of community concern and activism. Even as a deteriorating property, Essex House had many assets that would qualify the 33-year-old property as a strong candidate for preservation as an affordable housing resource--an attractive setting, convenience to the Metro, and access to schools, library, hospital and other community facilities. The property features an unusually large number of two- and three-bedroom apartments well-suited for families with children, and provides offstreet parking for 200 vehicles. When purchased by CPDC, Essex House was occupied but in a state of deterioration. Virtually all systems, other than a 10-year-old boiler, were original to the property, and were worn out. Frequently, residents were left without basic services. As the property declined, the social fabric of the community deteriorated, as evidenced by increased vandalism, crime and illegal drug sales. CPDC's goal was to preserve and improve the community by substantially rehabilitating the physical asset to ensure long-term viability and affordability and linking residents to the broader community through community service programs. Restoring Essex House to good condition entailed complete renovation over a one-year period. CPDC's most important goal was not to displace tenants during the renovation process, and to ensure that the rents would not be increased as a result of the capital improvements. All basic systems in the property were replaced or updated (heating, cooling, plumbing), as were the roof, windows, exterior lighting, balcony rails and landscaping. Interior work included improvements in every apartment unit: upgrades and replacements in the kitchens and bathrooms, including water-saver toilets; plaster repair, painting, new carpeting, mini-blinds and energy-efficient lighting fixtures. Seven units were specially equipped with wide doorways, grab bars and other amenities for disabled residents. Smoke detectors were installed throughout the property. Common areas were upgraded--ranging from the rebuilding of the elevators and replacement of the laundry room to creation of a community room for use by the residents' association and as a location for community service programs. New, onsite professional management was brought to the property through the services of Edgewood Management Company. With renovation completed in October 1995, Essex House is home for more than 300 residents, many of them families with children. Since Essex House is meeting its goals as a mixed-income property, the population is economically and culturally diverse. CPDC's goal at Essex House has been to ensure preservation of this affordable housing community as an asset for Takoma Park well into the future. Public/private partnerships have been instrumental in the acquisition and renovation of the Essex House Apartments. Financing, grants and other participation includes: The Richman Group of Arlington, the State of Maryland, Montgomery County, Federal Home Loan Bank through Loyola Bank of Baltimore, and PEPCO.