Just a little east of the Roy Walker Recreation Center, and just south of Clovis City Hall, isn't exactly what anybody would consider a prime living area, but a developer with a history in the region is hoping to upgrade the area into five dozen energy-efficient apartments.

CNJ staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Apartment complexes currently unused, enclosed by Rencher and Mitchell streets, Grand Avenue and Second Street, are targeted for redevelopment into 60 energy-efficient affordable housing units.

Tierra Realty Trust, which has developed two housing projects in the city and is working on finishing Hotel Clovis Lofts, next plans to tackle two blocks surrounded by Rencher Street, Mitchell Street, Second Street and Grand Avenue.

The goal, Clovis Realtor and agent for the project Gayla Brumfield said, is to rehabilitate four buildings currently housing 15 apartments, build four new buildings for 45 more apartments, and add in another building that will be a 5,700-square-foot community center.

The affordable housing project would be comprised of mostly two-bedroom apartments with the rest one-bedroom. Square footage for the apartments range between 500 and 1,100 square feet. Brumfield said rental prices haven't been established yet, but assumes they will fall in the range of $400 to $800 per month.

Like other Tierra projects in Clovis and throughout the state, developer Stephen Crozier is seeking tax credits from the Mortgage Finance Authority to fund the project. To qualify for the tax credits, Tierra intends to meet standards for a green building emerald rating and a Passive House Net Zero Community. A passive house requires about 85 percent less energy for heating and cooling as a structure built to standard specifications.

The project does not involve any city money, and the Clovis City Commission approved a letter of support for the apartment complexes during its regular meeting Jan. 17.

Tierra Realty has a company policy not to speak with media.

"He's constantly looking at different communities," Brumfield said of Tierra's Stephen Crozier. "He likes to refurbish older areas. That's what he really likes to do, particularly in a downtown area. He's got a lot of vision, because I don't see some of it."

Applications for the tax credits have been sent to the state Mortgage Finance Authority, and Brumfield said there should be a definite answer in May. Representatives with the MFA were not available to comment on the application Friday afternoon.

Brumfield said having well-maintained housing in the area would be a benefit, as the location is a short walk from either downtown Clovis or the recreation center, and residents would have quick access to 60/84 from Mitchell Street.

"It's going to be a good project for that area of town," Brumfield said. "It's going to be a real asset, a real benefit to the community."