Athens Housing Authority, Jonathan Rose Companies, and Columbia Residential Celebrate Grand Opening of The View at NoDA

ATLANTA – May 2, 2025 – Athens Housing Authority and their development partners, Columbia Residential and Jonathan Rose Companies, gathered today with Mayor Kelly Girtz, community leaders, financial partners and residents to celebrate the grand opening of The View at NoDA, a new 120-unit mixed-income housing development located at 101 Madison Avenue in north downtown Athens. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by tours of the new community.

The View at NoDA represents the first phase of an ambitious four-phase redevelopment project spanning over 12 acres adjacent to downtown Athens. This transformative initiative revitalizes the former Bethel Midtown Village housing development, preserving existing affordable housing, while significantly expanding workforce and affordable housing options in the area.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from key stakeholders, including Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz and representatives from the Athens Housing Authority, Columbia Residential, Jonathan Rose Companies, and financing partners. 

“This celebration honors both our residents and the many partners who have contributed to creating this beautiful mixed-income community,” said Sheila Crisp, Executive Director of the Athens Housing Authority. “Through this unique public-private partnership, we’ve positioned The View at NoDA for long-term affordability, operational excellence, and financial sustainability. We’re proud to provide high-quality housing that serves residents across income levels while strengthening the North Downtown Athens neighborhood.”

Carmen Chubb, President of Columbia Residential, emphasized the development’s community impact: “The View at NoDA is a powerful example of what can be achieved when visionary local leadership, engaged residents, and committed public and private partners come together around a shared goal.  We’re proud to be part of this transformative redevelopment, which delivers high-quality, inclusive housing that will enhance the quality of life for Athens residents for generations to come.”

“The thoughtful planning and design of The View at NoDA reflects Jonathan Rose Companies’ commitment to creating communities that foster well-being, resilience, and connection,” said Sabrina Barker, Director of Development at Jonathan Rose Companies. “We were proud to partner with Athens Housing Authority and Columbia Residential to incorporate energy-efficient features, quality amenities, and strategic proximity to transportation and downtown resources for the community. This project provides affordable housing that supports both environmental sustainability and community prosperity, setting a high standard for the important revitalization effort in Athens.”

Community Features

The View at NoDA offers thoughtfully designed 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartment homes with designer-inspired finishes, including:

• Energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® appliances
• Spacious walk-in closets
• Washer/dryer connections
• Private patios or balconies (select units)
• Luxury vinyl plank flooring
• Ceramic tile baths

Community amenities include an onsite leasing office, community room, fitness center, laundry center, business center, playground, landscaped courtyard, outdoor grilling area, bicycle storage, community access control, and an access-controlled parking garage.

Project Background

The development began as a redevelopment plan for the former Bethel Midtown Village and College & Hoyt senior community. Master planner and architect, JHP, designed the new community based on extensive community outreach with north Downtown stakeholders. This collaborative approach earned the project team a 2023 Best-in-Category Award for Public Involvement from the Georgia Planning Association.

Once completed, the entire development will feature over 500 units, more than doubling the affordable housing options in downtown Athens. The community’s strategic location just a quarter-mile from the University of Georgia and Sanford Stadium provides easy access to downtown Athens, the Classic Center, public transportation, and nearby parks.

Financing

The $49.8 million development is being financed through a diverse mix of public and private construction and permanent financing sources, including:

• $23.1 million construction loan from U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance
• $22.1 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity provided by U.S. Bank
• $11.4 million permanent loan from KeyBank
• $4 million construction/permanent loan from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs
• $9.2 million construction/permanent loan from Athens-Clarke County
• $1.5 million construction/permanent loan from the Athens Housing Authority
• $600,000 construction/permanent loan from the Athens Downtown Development Authority
• $1 million developer contribution

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and its residents supported the redevelopment with a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), providing $39 million to purchase the existing Bethel property and support infrastructure for all phases.

About Athens Housing Authority

Established in 1938 under state enabling legislation and the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, the Athens Housing Authority (AHA) has a long-standing mission to provide secure, affordable, and high-quality housing to the community. Today, AHA owns and operates 1,291 public housing units and continues to expand its efforts through innovative housing initiatives.

In addition to traditional public housing, AHA promotes homeownership by supporting homebuyer lending and constructing new in-fill housing. The Authority is also a recognized issuer of multifamily tax-exempt bonds and notably completed the first true private mortgage on a HUD property in the United States. Since 1985, AHA has issued over $200 million in 19 tax-exempt bond transactions, supporting the development and preservation of affordable housing in Athens and throughout Georgia.

AHA is also deeply committed to community partnerships. In 2010, the Authority joined forces with the local school district and government to repurpose a historic gym into a new Boys & Girls Club. In 2011, AHA partnered with Columbia Residential on a transformative, award-winning $60 million redevelopment of one of its aging neighborhoods into a vibrant, mixed-income community.

Currently, AHA is a partner in a multi-phase redevelopment project aimed at revitalizing North Downtown Athens. Additionally, the Authority continues to collaborate with private developers to expand access to affordable housing in the greater Athens area.

About Columbia Residential

Founded in 1991 by the late Noel Khalil, Columbia Residential is an award-winning Atlanta-based developer, owner, and manager of affordable and mixed-income housing. Celebrating its thirty-four-year anniversary in 2025, the company operates in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas with an active development pipeline. It manages 10,000 affordable and mixed-income housing units in some 75 communities. Columbia Residential is a place-based developer and makes a lasting commitment to each community it plans, builds, and services by providing a continuum of stewardship that powers long-term investments. The company’s unique development and property management approach features strong local partnerships and an innovative model for resident services, including comprehensive onsite programming and additional resources provided through strategic partnerships with local entities that foster a strong home life and growth mindset for every resident. For more information, please visit: https://www.columbiares.com

About Jonathan Rose Companies

Jonathan Rose Companies is one of the country’s leading developers and investors in sustainable, affordable, and mixed-income multifamily real estate, with more than 19,000 units owned. Founded in 1989, Jonathan Rose Companies is a mission-driven company focused on enhancing the health and wellness of its residents with green, energy-efficient property improvements and through its Communities of Opportunities programming. With offices in New York, Connecticut, Colorado, Ohio, and California, Jonathan Rose Companies has developed or acquired more than $4.5 billion of real estate. For more information, please visit: https://www.rosecompanies.com