by Onajídé Shabaka - 16 May, 2007

  Sailboat Bend Artist's Lofts Meeting

    by Onajídé Shabaka

My 4th art related meeting in 6 days. This time it was about the low income Sailboat Bend Artist's Lofts being built in Fort Lauderdale. These lofts are part of a larger complex but, are designed for low income "artists." Thirty-seven (37) units are specifically designated for artists. They are rentals, not condos for purchase. Qualified applicants that are accepted must then requalify every year to make sure they fall within the income guidelines. With a 1br/1bh at 1000 sq. ft., high ceilings and, a supportive community, how can you go wrong? This project was put together by Artspace, out of Minneapolis, MN, that has mostly renovated older buildings all across the US.

Podcast of the meeting Click here to Listen Now!

The rental figures are approximate rental rates based on Federal guidelines effective currently. They are subject to change without notice. Lower rents for a given unit type reflect units available to those earning 50% Area Median Income or less; higher rents reflect units available to those earning 60% Area Median Income or less.

When we were told about the low income requirement, one woman stormed out and a few other trickled away over the next few minutes. However, the financial qualifications are more complex than just that a person has to be low income. Everyone's circumstance is different.

I was very much interested in this meeting but, I would prefer to have the opportunity to buy something. So, this situation to rent is probably good for some and not good for others. It would be nice to live in an area that has older buildings available for renovation but, we don't have much of that.

Layouts of the units (link opens into a new window)

The building will be 3-stories tall, in a U-shape. Check these construction pictures. Right now, Sailboat Bend is estimating construction completion sometime in late summer or early fall 2007.

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