Renovated Colony Arms Apartments in Detroit reopens with new name

DETROIT - Colony Arms Apartments in Detroit was once the most problematic building in the city. Now, it's one of the nicest affordable housing developments in Detroit.

On Friday, Jan. 27, the developers and investors in Colony and Fisher Arms Apartments, 9303 E. Jefferson Ave., invited community leaders to the the 161-unit building for a renaming ceremony.

After four years of renovation, Colony Arms is now River Crest Apartments.

Developers Detroit nonprofit Cinnaire and Baltimore-based Chesapeake Community Advisors took on the building to renovate it and make it a safe, secure home for residents, said Mark McDaniel, Cinnaire president and chief executive officer.

The nearly century-old brick building features a mail room, wash room, new appliances, paint, carpets, central air conditioning, security cameras and secure parking. River Crest Apartments has lobbies with paneled walls, tile floors and new gas fireplaces.

"It is a completely different place," said Mayor Mike Duggan, who lives two blocks away in the Manoogian Mansion. "This is the quality we're going to continue to build for the people of the city of Detroit."

Detroit is trying to grow its population, Duggan said, and that means there has to be a place for people of all incomes.

River Crest Apartments has a Section 8 housing contract for another two decades, McDaniel said.

McDaniel said the renovation was a challenge given the building's history.

Police have called the building the most problematic in the city. The Detroit News reported Detroit Police had 600 calls to the building in a single year.

Duggan and Detroit Police Chief James Craig remembered the police raid on Nov. 15, 2013 that resulted in 32 arrests, a day that marked the start of the building's turnaround.

Detroit police arrest 32 in massive raid on apartment building

"I'll never forget residents who lived here as we were running through the halls, saying, 'thank you. Thank God the police are here,'" Craig said.

Since then, the building and surrounding neighborhood has gone through a transformation. Detroit Police, the city and neighboring businesses have helped clean up the area.

Brenda Jones, Detroit City Council president, awarded McDaniel with the Spirit of Detroit award to honor Cinnaire and everyone involved for improving the quality of life in Detroit. She gave him the Spirit of Detroit pin off her collar.

"Detroit appreciates you and all that you have done," she told him.