The Ladybird, an independent living facility developed by DMA Development Company, has a rich history in the city of Austin. Located at 1320 Art Dilly Drive, the community boasts affordable living mixed with senior-friendly amenities including a fitness center, library, business center and movie theater. The Ladybird also boasts garage parking, access to Ladybird Lake and downtown shopping, restaurants and activities.

Community Impact sat down with Clarke Heidrick, chair of the board of the Austin Geriatric Center, to talk about the history of The Ladybird and how it benefits the community.

What is Austin Geriatric Center’s involvement with The Ladybird?

Heidrick: The Austin Geriatric Center was the owner of the Rebekah Baines Johnson Senior Living Center beginning in the late ‘60s. A board of directors was appointed for the 16-story tower and this senior apartment community has been operating successfully since it opened in 1973. In 2009 we decided that we were going to need to do something about the building because it had gotten pretty aged. Our plan was basically to sell some of the land and use that as a down payment to build more units adjacent to the tower, allowing us to move our senior residents into the new facility and then rehabilitate the tower. We did that, and the Ladybird is the mid rise building placed into service two years ago.

What is the overview and plan for The Ladybird?

Heidrick: It's an affordable housing community that's right on Ladybird Lake. It's a great location and has a lot of real estate. The goal is to end up here in a year or so with about 504 affordable housing units at that location. Right now, we have 279 units in the Ladybird, mostly affordable to seniors at or below 60% of the area median income. What will happen in a year when the RBJ Tower is finished is that many of the Ladybird residents will move back into the Tower. We'll need to lease a bunch of apartments next spring. We still have a few vacancies now.

How is the property participating in the tax credit program?

Heidrick: Our partners are corporations that receive tax credits for investing in affordable housing. For every dollar they invest, they get $1 of tax credit back. The hope for nonprofit partners like us is that at the end of a 15-year period you'll be able to buy the investors out, and you're able to continue to operate a project that is truly affordable for people who really need it.

What benefits does the property bring to Austin and the senior community?

Heidrick: Having affordable housing for seniors close to downtown and close to other services is a real advantage. It is so hard to find affordable, independent living facilities anywhere close to downtown, and it means that people who have families who want to come visit them can come visit without going too far. Having older people in the mix in a neighborhood that has a whole bunch of younger people is a good healthy one. It's healthy for the city and certainly healthy for our neighborhood. It offers our seniors a great place to live in, in the company of nice neighbors, and with access to a lot of different facilities.

To learn more about The Ladybird and its future, visit the website.

The above story was produced by Community Impact's Senior Multi Platform Journalist Sierra Rozen with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.