Categories
Family Communities

Partners Southeast Highlights Completion of Cypress River Lofts with Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting

Baton Rouge, LA (February 11, 2025) – Partners Southeast, the development arm of the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority (EBRPHA), is proud to announce the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed Cypress River Lofts on February 19, 2025. The event will take place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 1382 Duane St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802.This momentous occasion celebrates the completion of the third phase of the River South initiative, an ongoing commitment to transforming South Baton Rouge with quality housing options. The investment continues EBRPHA’s efforts to invest in South Baton Rouge, which began in 2002 with the awarding of a HOPE VI grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This multi-phase development started with River South Phase I, a scattered- site community that consists of thirty-three (33) homes. Phase II includes an additional forty-six (46) homes.


The $8.5 million Cypress River Lofts community consists of nineteen (19) modern, one- and three- bedroom, loft apartments designed to foster a vibrant, sustainable community.


“Cypress River Lofts is more than just a beautiful housing development—it is a testament to what’s possible when vision, dedication, and collaboration come together to transform communities. This new community is about providing working families and professionals with not just a place to live, but a foundation for stability, opportunity, and growth. At Partners Southeast, we are committed to creating spaces that uplift people and neighborhoods, ensuring that every family has ACCESS to the dignity and security of a well-built home. Today, we celebrate progress, but more importantly, we reaffirm our mission to build a stronger Capital Region —one community at a time,” said J. Wesley Daniels Jr., CEO of Partners Southeast.


The ribbon-cutting event will feature remarks from local officials, including Mayor-President Sid Edwards, as well as a tour of the new community. The ceremony will showcase the advanced features of Cypress River Lofts, which include modern designs and energy-efficient amenities that promote a quality living environment for all families to live, work and play.


Cypress River Lofts was made possible by financial investment from the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) through its HOME Investment Partnership Program and Neighborhood Landlord Rental Program (NLRP). Home Bank provided both construction and permanent financing for the community. EBRPHA executed a long-term ground lease to ensure sustained affordability of the site.


“We’re proud to continue investing in Baton Rouge and the Capital Region,” said Janelle Brown, COO of Partners Southeast. “The success of this project, along with our past phases of River South, demonstrates the potential of combining public and private capital to drive growth, enhance neighborhoods, and create new housing opportunities.”


Cypress River Lofts joins the rapidly developing Nicholson and Highland Road corridors, which are being transformed into key areas for growth and innovation. The community is located near major areas such as the Water Campus and the 30-acre Nicholson Drive development led by Commercial Properties Realty Trust (CPRT).


About Partners Southeast
For the past 20 years, Partners Southeast has sought to use housing as a vehicle to make measurable impacts in Education, Economic Opportunities, and Health & Wellness in communities throughout the Southeast. Partners Southeast provides and develops quality housing opportunities for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization. Focusing on strategic investments in People, Neighborhoods and Housing, seamlessly mixing market-rate and affordable units, Partners Southeast creates vibrant and diverse communities. For more information on Partners Southeast, visit www.partnerssoutheast.com

Categories
Family Communities

Partners Southeast Teams up with Banyan Foundation to open Capstone at Scotlandville

For Immediate Release

For More Information: Otey White at 225-907-6839 or Angela deGravelles at 225-202-5073

 

Formerly Elm Grove Gardens apartments, The Banyan Foundation, Inc. and Partners Southeast officially open their newest community in East Baton Rouge Parish, Capstone at Scotlandville, on August 2, 2023. Located at 8900 Elm Grove Garden Drive, the new community constructed by Milton J. Womack boasts 84 modern two and three-bedroom units, offering affordable housing for families struggling in the current housing market. 

 

In 2018, due to the neglect and deplorable living conditions by the previous property owners, the property was shut down. To assist in relocating families, the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority provided emergency housing vouchers, providing an opportunity for families to relocate to better living conditions. The Banyan Foundation purchased the 6.4-acre property in 2020, launching the planning process of reimagining the community beyond providing quality affordable housing but also providing access to social, health and educational services that include job training, GED classes, and financial wellness training.

 

Through a collaborative effort, The Banyan Foundation and Partners Southeast were able to bring to fruition the $23 million community, with the support and partnership of the Louisiana Housing Corp. (LHC) affordable housing tax credit and supplemental funding programs. The City of Baton Rouge Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) financing and rental assistance by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).

 

EBRPHA and Partners Southeast CEO J. Wesley Daniels Jr. explained. “It’s really about quality affordable housing. We have many families living in substandard housing, so this is a great opportunity for our families to thrive.”

 

The property also features a fitness center, basketball court, community garden, picnic area, playground, clubhouse, business center, and paved walking trails. They provide residents of Capstone at Scotlandville Apartments with access to an online Resident Portal. Here residents can pay rent, request maintenance, and review their past payment history.

 

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said, “Our administration has been focused on uplifting disinvested communities, and when you think about the Old Elm Grove apartments that were there prior, it was deplorable, it was an eyesore, it was a pain for the community.” Marlee Pittman, interim director of community development with the Mayor’s Office, added, “It’s not just about housing, it’s about bringing wrap-around services that have educational and enrichment activities, especially for this apartment complex.”

 

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For the past 20 years, Partners Southeast has sought to use housing as a vehicle to make measurable impacts in Education, Economic Opportunities, and Health & Wellness in communities throughout the Southeast. Partners Southeast provides and develops quality housing opportunities for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization. Focusing on strategic investments in People, Neighborhoods and Housing, seamlessly mixing market-rate and affordable units, creating vibrant and diverse communities. For more info on Partners Southeast, Call: 225.923.8112

 

 

The team of The Banyan Foundation has spent twelve years learning how to be responsible with their donor’s generosity.  It’s now time to take the effort to an entirely different level that leverages its relationships, experience, and philosophy to make a huge impact for our members and their kids, deserving children, and our surrounding communities.  Our board members are passionate about the new model because it accomplishes everything; transparency, empowerment, education, sustainability, and cost efficiency.

 

 

Year Completed

Planned Fall 2022

Type

Senior | Units: 99

Management

Integral Property Management

Phone

225-923-8121

Cypress at Pinchback

501 Gardere Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Located behind St. Jude off Highland Road, close to great shopping and restaurants this tranquil and modern new construction community offers modern one- and two-bedroom apartments for seniors 62 years and older. Apartments are ADA compliant and come with a dishwasher and washer and dryer hook-up. Amenities include an exercise room, computer room, elevators, community room, walking trail, community garden, small gathering/reading rooms on each floor and social, health, wellness, and educational activities programmed for active seniors.