Byline: THERESA TWISDALE, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
John Knox Towers, rising above Colonial Avenue in Norfolk's Ghent section, is a unique 14-story apartment complex. The average age of its tenants is 75.
The minimum age to rent an apartment is 62 unless you have a mobility impairment that John Knox can accommodate.
Knox Towers, uses federal guidelines on income to set rent for its 150 apartments. The complex is at full occupancy now and has a six-month waiting list. ``The resident here are all your grandmas and grandpas,'' says Toni VanDyke of Lawson Realty and sales representative for Knox for nine years.
The facility is named for John Knox, a Scot and founding Presbyterian, and his picture hangs on the upstairs wall of the building.
``It is a different type of building to be an apartment manager for,'' VanDyke says. ``Your are more service oriented than you are trying to sell an apartment. The apartments pretty much sell themselves because of the low rent structure with all utilities being included, and the elderly need affordable housing. They're (the units) cute, small, and five different floor plans are available.''
One-bedroom flats containing 422 to 562 square feet range from $300 to $435 per month, depending on income and other factors. A two-bedroom with 692 square feet can go from $345 to $462. Eighteen units are wheelchair accessible. Stoves and refrigerators come with each apartment. Mobile Meals are available for tenants who cannot cook.
Laundry facilities are on the mezzanine floor. Upstairs, three large rooms serve as a meeting area, which is also used on Thursday evenings for church services. An activity room with a piano in the corner, and a sitting room with books - some from the city public library. An important attraction for the women is the hair salon on the first floor.
Social functions and activities are geared for the residents by Lawson Realty.
Daily activities such as bingo or crafts are posted on the bulletin board. Outside volunteers help out, making life a little easier. Norfolk Health Department officials come by regularly for blood-pressure screening and weight checks and to make sure the residents are taking their medicines.
The local senior center frequently buses residents to Williamsburg. Physicians and podiatrists regularly stop in. Optometrists come by to give eye and glaucoma testing. All these services are free and are set up in John Knox Towers meeting room. Churches donate food at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hardees caters with chicken. Local supermarkets provide van service twice a day to and from their stores.
The four full-time employees perform services from hanging pictures to reading mail. VanDyke also puts together the monthly newsletter. ``I also remind them of rules of the dos and don'ts,'' she says, ``and they say it's my way of yelling at them. They really look forward to the newsletter, and let me know when one doesn't come out.''
But the residents also give to the community. Last year they dressed teddy bears for the Salvation Army; for King's Daughters Children's Hospital they made booties and hats. ``They focus on something they want to do to give back to the community,'' VanDyke says, ``and they do it, and it's wonderful to watch them.''
Nancy Horne, a resident of one year, moved to Norfolk from Salisbury, Md. ``I have family here and have always wanted to move to Ghent, she says. ``It's very well kept, very comfortable, and quiet. It's very communal, and it helps people to be communal.''
Marion Gray, a tenant for 14 years, keeps a cockatiel that amuses her neighbors.
Residents also pitch in to keep the towers running smoothly. A sitting room available with enclosed glass windows opens about noon by the residents, who take turns making coffee and serving doughnuts. It closes about 4 p.m. After business hours, four on-duty residents (they take turns one week a month) answer the phone and call for help should they encounter an emergency. They also have access to the employees' beeper numbers.
Security at Knox Towers is not a problem. The main doors are locked at all times and the residents have keys. A phone system outside buzzes guests in. The residents ``police'' the area and are aware when an unfamiliar face shows up. At 11 p.m. residents on duty doublecheck the doors to make sure they are locked.
Free parking is available for residents. At present, 45 residents have cars, and those who don't can get a bus nearby.
For exercise, the tenants walk to the Chrysler Museum and Waterside but also walk inside the building. The halls are equipped with handrails and some walk down the 12 flights of stairs.
They also get exercise from working in their ``roof garden.'' The garden is equipped with an awning, a sitting area and water for the garden. Gardeners each have their own ``territory'' in which their pots of vegetables or flowers take bloom. Some residents consider their plants a No. 1 priority.
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