Senior Housing opens on Tidwell

COMMONS OF GRACE consists of 108 one and two bedroom units in attractive 3 story buildings on Tidwell.

By Gilbert Hoffman
NORTH FOREST– A ribbon cutting on Thursday morning, April 17 marked the opening of a new Senior Housing project at 9110 Tidwell that brings attractive new housing units to the North Forest community, and promises to serve as a catalyst for continued improvements in the area, according to the sponsors.
Attending the ceremony were representatives from the city, and the Grace Cathedral Community Development Corporation, who sponsored the project and since 2000 have worked to bring it to realization. Participants included Houston Mayor Bill White, Pastor Charles H. Taylor, Sr. of Grace Cathedral Church, and Executive Director of GCCDC Lady Belinda E. Taylor. Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Willie R. Taylor, CDC president. Others that were present included State Representative Senfronia Thompson, Senator Mario Gallegos, and City Controller Annise Parker. City Council Members that sent representatives included Jarvis Johnson, Sue Lovell, and Peter Brown. Also attending were Board members from CDC and their advisory board, and church members from Grace Cathedral. A total of over 100 persons attended the event.

The project was conceived in 2000, and took advantage of a state program for tax credits that helped with the financing and the rental levels. The Homes Funds grant in the amount of $700,000 was received in 2005 from the City of Houston, allowing the project to move forward. Groundbreaking took place in February, 2007. Construction development proceeded with the help of NRP Group LLC, a national specialist in senior housing, with offices in San Antonio and Cleveland, Ohio.
Residents of the project must be at least 55 years old. There are two types of apartment homes. The one bedroom unit has 750 square feet, and the two bedroom, two bath unit has 987 square feet. Each type of unit includes an outdoor balcony/patio, a laundry space in the unit, and a desk/work area as well as a kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms with walk-in style closets.
Residents also have use of the clubhouse, which has meeting rooms, fireplace, swimming pool, fitness center, computer center, picnic area with barbecue grills, and more.
The site is on a METRO busline, and has a gated entrance for security. Pets will be welcome at the project, according to the management. For senior living, there will be planned activities and social events.
In addition to Senior Housting, the GC CDC has received grants to fund Summer Youth Programs for children in the area.
The housing was built on land that Grace Cathedral Church originally purchased in 1997, according to Pastor Charles Taylor, Sr., Founder of the GC CDC and Senior Pastor of the church.