LOAN MULLED TO FUND SENIOR LIVING CENTER.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

PALMDALE - In the next steps toward revamping a downtown neighborhood, city officials are considering seeking a $5 million federal loan and signing an agreement aimed at creating senior apartments and a new senior center.

With 13 parcels owned by the city and an additional 26 parcels still to acquire for the Courson Connection project, city officials say the federal loan would be used to acquire the remaining properties, relocating tenants and demolishing aging apartments.

``We're asking for $5 million that we would repay over 20 years,'' said Mayor Pro Tem Mike Dispenza. ``We believe it will cost $4 million for the parcels. We will have $1 million for contingencies.''

The proposed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development loan would be repaid out of the city's annual community development block grant allocation from the federal government.

The Courson Connection is aimed at demolishing run-down apartments on three downtown blocks and creating a pleasant, senior citizen-friendly neighborhood between Courson Park and the Civic Center. The work is to be done in phases over several years.

``This project will address the blight and deterioration of residential buildings in the area bounded by Ninth and 10th Street East, and Avenues Q-9 to Q-12,'' according to a staff report prepared by Michael Adams, housing manager, and Danny Roberts, assistant executive director of the city's redevelopment agency.

``By eliminating the problems in this area and replacing them with new affordable housing project units targeted for senior citizens, walkways, landscaping, and new commercial buildings, the agency will create a pleasant and beautiful connection between City Hall facilities, Courson Park, and the Palmdale Playhouse.''

To help set up the first round of construction, the city is considering entering into an agreement with Southern California Housing Development Corp. to acquire a portion of the neighborhood for $1. The nonprofit company would build senior housing and a new senior center on the property.

The first phase planned covered by the agreement is the construction of a 74- or 75-unit apartment complex that would stand either two or three stories high. The apartments would be built north of Avenue Q-11 between Ninth and 10th streets east.

The next phase includes a 12,000-square-foot senior center built on 3.5 acres south of Avenue Q-9 and east of Poncitlan Square. That phase would also include up to 80 units of senior apartments built on six acres next to the senior center.

Southern California Housing Development Corp., based in Rancho Cucamonga, plans to seek up to $7 million in funding for the project from HUD.

The nonprofit organization has worked with the city in the past, refurbishing more than 290 apartment units in Palmdale's downtown area.

Their projects included acquiring the run-down El Rammuny apartment complex and refurbishing the 54-unit apartment complex now known as the Summerwood apartments.

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Courson Connection