Alexandria Commons Readies for Renovation

Alexandria Commons, a 22-unit apartment complex located at 25A, 25B and 27 E. Bellefonte Ave., is preparing for renovations that will raise rents between $200 and $300, according to city documents.

Existing tenants were given 120-day notices to vacate the property May 25. Sunday is the final move-out day.

When the notices were distributed in May, just 11 of the 22 units were occupied. Borger Management, Inc., which oversees Alexandria Commons, hasn’t leased units in 11 months.

“Although the property has been generally well maintained, extensive renovation and modernization is needed to the buildings and systems,” reads a city document concerning relocation plans for tenants.

Renovations include a long list of repairs and upgrades to the 57-year-old structures, including installation of energy efficient central air conditioning for each unit, washers and dryers for each unit, new bathroom fixtures, repaved parking lots, construction of tenant storage lockers, floor-to-floor sound attenuation, upgrades to electrical service and newly-constructed canopies, steps and security entry systems.

Construction is expected to take about 45 days. Once renovations are complete, rents will increase about $200 to $300 per month per unit. New tenants will also be responsible for all utilities.

Current rents include utilities with the exception of tenant-paid electricity and a flat fee for water.

Relocation payments indicative of the current rents were handed out to tenants in good standing. One-bedroom tenants received $950, while two-bedroom tenants received $1,150. Tenants in the largest two-bedroom units that included dens received $1,350.

According to Alexandria City Manager Rashad Young’s June report, city staff from the Office of Housing attended two meetings with Alexandria Commons tenants at the Tenants and Workers United office in Arlandria, and a June 22 meeting at which the Borger Management presented tenants with a relocation plan.

"Housing staff report that all meetings have been very productive and positive, and management has cooperated well with City staff in developing a plan that complies with the City's voluntary [relocation] policy," the report reads. "This renovation is not intended to reposition the property, but will cause increases in rents and utilities."

Borger Management, which owns and manages properties throughout the region, also has plans to renovate Caylor Gardens, a nearby 102-unit property located at 4 E. Cliff St.