COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Wardlaw Apartments, a historic housing complex located in downtown Columbia, has been sold to a Florida-based developer, leaving the current residents facing the challenge of finding new homes.
The Wardlaw Apartments have served low-income seniors like Keith Gills for years. Recently, residents like him received a letter, notifying them of the sale and giving them 60 days to vacate the property.
"I was disappointed because it didn't give us enough time or give us any notice – nobody spoke to us, we just got a letter,” said Gills.
According to city documents, the new owner, Jay Biggins, plans to renovate the building. Renovation work will include power-washing the exterior, re-roofing, repainting, and the conversion of the auditorium into office space. Additionally, improvements to the parking lot and landscaping are also part of the redevelopment plan.
In a bid to preserve the historical character of the property, Biggins has requested certification under the Bailey Bill from the City’s Design/Development Review Committee, which allows historic renovations to receive a special tax assessment. The committee is scheduled to discuss the plan during their upcoming meeting this Thursday.
Gills said residents who signed a lease won't have to leave until the end of it.
Gills and his fellow residents are now faced with the challenging task of finding new housing options.
“I gotta find somewhere to live. That’s the bottom line,” said Gills. “Time is very much ticking.”
Sue Berkowitz from the SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center noted that the property owner has followed the law, leaving residents with limited legal options.
"If they don’t leave, they would be served with a notice to vacate and then they would have 10 days to respond, and they could ask for a jury trial. I would encourage them to continue to pay their rent or hold onto their rent if they get served with a notice to vacate."
Residents are encouraged to reach out to Senior Resources or the State and Local Department on Aging for assistance during this transitional period.
Using getcaresc.com, individuals can type in a keyword and zip code to find providers.
Gills is hoping to move into a new apartment next month, but he expressed concerns about his neighbors
"A lot of people moved in 10, 15 years ago, so they're on a budget. Maybe $500, $600 dollars a month. So to go somewhere now, decent, you're not gonna find any place for $500, $600 dollars,” said Gills.
News 19 attempted to contact the property owner for comments but has not received a response at this time.