TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A long awaited development has come to Tallahassee's Frenchtown community.
It's a brand new apartment complex, providing affordable housing to families in a part of town with a rich history.
A dream years in the making is now a reality.
"It's just a great day for the neighborhood," said Tom Lewis, Chief Financial Officer with Big Bend Community Development Corporation.
Casanas Village isn't just more housing for Frenchtown. It's affordable housing.
Rent for some of these units start under $400.
"We rent to anyone who qualifies, but we're not labeled as a student property," said Kenyetta George, Property Manager at Casanas Village.
The complex includes 88 units, a fitness center, and playground.
"We think that being able to provide quality affordable housing, we are excited about the quality of this project," said Lewis.
The complex is named after Aurelio Casanas, a Cuban musician who made Frenchtown his home. The neighborhood has deep roots in African-American history.
"It's the culmination of so much frustration about the deterioration of Frenchtown after World War II and then its renaissance and revitalization," said Tim Wheat, Regional Vice President at Pinnacle Housing Group.
Developers say the hope is that this project spurs more development in the area and encourages more people to call Frenchtown home.
And part of a way to preserve Frenchtown's history, the leasing office is actually inside a replica of the original Casanas family home on Georgia Street.
