As an owner of a successful property management company, Blake Evetts has made a significant investment in the Shoals area.
But the Russellville resident wanted to invest in his own community, so Evetts recently purchased the former Lawrence Place assisted living facility on East Lawrence Street, where he's making more than a $1 million investment.
Renovation is well underway on Evetts' Russellville venture, which will be called 'The Jameson: Efficiency Living.' The Jameson will feature 37 studio efficiency apartments, with one monthly fee for rent, utilities and WiFi.
Pre-leasing is going on now through Evetts' company, H&H Property Management, with a projected move-in date of November 1, 2022.
Each unit will have secure entry, and will include a kitchenette with a two-eye stove, sink and refrigerator.
Evetts, a 2007 Phil Campbell High School graduate, had been looking for the right project to dive into in Russellville, and he found it in a property he drives by every day as he's going to work.
“It's been empty for a while and it's already zoned multi-family, so thee was no rezoning required,” Evetts said. “The wheels started turning and I started thinking this could be something successful.”
With a dearth of conventional rental housing available in Russellville, Evetts decided it was the right time to move forward with The Jameson Apartments, which he hopes will be the first of several properties he'll develop in Russellville.
“We have a real need for conventional housing in Russellville. These are not going to be government subsidized homes. I am just trying to fill a need in my community,” Evetts said.
Russellville City Councilman Jamie Harris' District Five includes The Jameson Apartments. When Harris learned of Evetts' purchase of the property, he reached out to offer his assistance.
“We are very appreciative of Mr. Evetts' investment in Russellville and his vision to renovate and design this property to meet the need for affordable rental housing in our community,” Harris said. “I enjoyed talking with him and hope The Jameson is the first of many developments Mr. Evetts makes in Russellville.”
While Evetts wanted to invest in his hometown, he also is a businessman with a goal of earning a return on that investment, something he's confident will happen with the Jameson.
Major renovations include new HVAC units in each apartment, new windows, flooring, kitchenette and electric and plumbing updates. Residents will have access to onsite laundry, vending and Evetts plans to build onsite storage units in a second phase of the renovation.
“As much as I love Russellville and doing something for my community, I'm also doing this for economic reasons. I believe the return on (The Jameson) will be very solid,” Evetts said.
For more information on The Jameson: Efficiency Living, call 256-718-2000.
For Spanish speaking inquiries, call 256-284-1306.
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