Ardmore Supporters Meet To Discuss Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan

Supporters of Winston-Salem's Ardmore and Cloverdale apartments expressed their concerns Monday over a proposed redevelopment plan for the area. Residents there are pushing one city councilman to fight for affordable housing.

About 150 people showed up and dozens spoke at the community forum, which was set up by Winston-Salem Councilman Dan Besse. Besse has lived in the Cloverdale apartments for the last five years, though he says he's given notice that he'll be moving out in September.

The supporters concern comes from a redevelopment proposal that would raze the historic Ardmore and Cloverdale apartment buildings in favor of a new mixed-use residential and retail area.

Alex Stone is a current resident at Cloverdale. He says he's concerned that demolishing the buildings will displace too many people who need affordable housing.

“I mean, their next option is almost outside the city,” Stone said. “I don't think the people who own this property really understand how many low-income people they're displacing who don't have a lot of other options.”

Supporters also say the post-war apartments are a historic part of the neighborhood, and the canopy of old trees throughout the area raises the quality of life.

Robin Team is president of Carolina Investment Properties, the project developer. He says the aging buildings need significant and expensive upgrades, and the owners hope new development will add even more vibrancy to the neighborhood.

He also says the concerns of Besse and other residents are being heard.

“We certainly want to listen to what the neighborhood has to say,” Team said, “and we have certainly committed to Councilman Besse that we would work with him on some compromises where compromises make sense.”

Team says those compromises could include working with the city to keep low-income residents in affordable housing, providing residents help with moving, and potentially working to preserve more of the neighborhood trees.