Wilson apartment complex remains empty with no developer to renovate

The C. Bruce Rose Plaza Apartments, formerly Tasman Towers, have sat empty since residents were moved out starting in 2019 due to poor conditions.

The Wilson Housing Authority has been working to redevelop the space ever since. Wilson Housing Authority President Kelly Vick said the HA has only been able to gather half of the funding that is needed for the project.

"We have not been able to put enough money together to see the 10-million-dollar need that we have to renovate that property,” he said.

Vick said the space needs a complete renovation after structural issues were identified and mold was found.

The HA said it frequently works with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to get grant funding to transform properties across Wilson, but the funding is competitive.

“Everyone in the country is needing that money,” Vick said. “There is a very limited amount of funds.”

If renovated, The C. Bruce Rose Plaza Apartments contain 10 percent of the total existing affordable housing in the city.

Andre Watson is one person who knows how crucial affordable housing is.

“People out there without jobs…they need a place to stay,” he said.

Andre Watson relies on public housing to survive.

“I’ve been living on the housing authority for about 7 years,” Watson said. “Right now, I am losing my eyesight.”

With a growing need for housing and no luck from grant funding, the HA is searching for developers to apply for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to transform the property.

However, Vick said it’s not easy to find developers to take on a project like this.

The apartments were previously targeted at seniors in need of affordable housing. The HA said the plan is for them to remain that way after renovations.