Carlson Gardner Development Wins Preserve Missouri Award

Carlson Gardner Development of Springfield was presented with a Preserve Missouri Award for Walnut Apartments in Springfield from Missouri Preservation. The award was presented by Gov. Matt Blunt during the 2006 Annual Awards Ceremony held March 2, in Jefferson City in the Missouri Capitol Rotunda.

The awards recognize the outstanding preservation efforts and projects around the state.
The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation -- also called Missouri Preservation -- is Missouri's only statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, supporting, and coordinating historic preservation activities throughout the State. Founded in 1976 as the Missouri Heritage Trust, Missouri Preservation has evolved into a respected grassroots network of individuals, organizations, and preservation commissions throughout Missouri.

The Walnut Apartments were nominated by The Urban District Alliance. Built in the early 1900’s, the four buildings are located in Springfield, Missouri at 700, 708, 716 and 720 E. Walnut Street where they were originally built for individual residence and as multiple dwelling apartments. All buildings are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Missouri Housing Development Commission awarded Rental Housing Tax Credits to Carlson Gardner to accomplish a historic restoration that preserved the architectural integrity and beauty of all the buildings while providing 32 modern, safe, comfortable, and affordable one and two bedroom apartments.

The affordable housing family rental apartments rent at $325-$350 per month for a one-bedroom and $395 per month for a two-bedroom.

Each apartment features central heating and air conditioning, dishwasher, microwave, garbage disposal, range and oven, refrigerator, carpeting, and mini-blinds. The lobby and common area include on-site offices as well as sitting and reading areas throughout the buildings. Affordable cable and internet packages are available at below market rates to provide a technology accessible environment for the residents.

Located just minutes from downtown Springfield, the apartments target working professionals and small families who will use the reduced rent benefits to grow in their personal and career objectives, the basic tenet of the Rental Housing Tax Credit program.
 

###

MHDC is the state's housing finance agency. The Commission is dedicated to strengthening communities and the lives of Missourians through the financing, development and preservation of affordable housing. Since 1969, MHDC has encouraged and assisted in the production of affordable rental housing and provided homeownership opportunities for thousands of families while investing almost $4 billion in Missouri housing for rental housing developments, home mortgages, home improvement loans, loans to landlords for renovations, grants to neighborhood housing groups and other programs.  MHDC does not build or renovate housing itself; rather, it functions as a bank, providing financing directly to borrowers or through a network of private lending institutions. Most of MHDC's programs operate as a public-private partnership.