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Forest Park officials outline $700,000 stabilization plan and redevelopment push for Park at Fort Gillum
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Summary
City and URA staff told the council that emergency repairs have restored sewer flow at the Park at Fort Gillum, officials have committed an initial $700,000 for critical infrastructure work (86% committed as of March 9), and a comprehensive master plan for long-term redevelopment is now underway.
Rochelle Dennis, Forest Park's economic development director, told the city council on April 6 that emergency repairs to the Park at Fort Gillum have restored proper sewer flow and addressed immediate health and safety concerns while the city and its URA prepare a longer-term redevelopment plan.
Dennis said the property's failing lift station (built c.1945) and a clogged main sewer line were identified in December 2025. "The system is now fully operational with proper flow restored," she said, summarizing recent pump repairs, line clearing and biological disinfection efforts. The city's URA approved an initial $700,000 for critical infrastructure repairs on Feb. 12; Dennis said roughly 86% of that allocation had been committed as of March 9 after a competitive bid process.
Nicole Olive, director of operations for TI Asset Management, the property's on-site manager since Nov. 1, 2025, outlined next steps: completed roof repairs, identification of 22 units with microbial growth (the first 10 slated for remediation by the end of next week), phased unit renovations, and pavement work scheduled for May. "We are complete with the critical repairs of the roofs," Olive said, adding that remediation and heavy unit turns will prioritize life-safety items such as HVAC, water heaters, smoke and CO detection, and mold remediation.
TI Asset Management and city staff described a broader property assessment (about 600 pages) that identified structural repairs, mapping of sewer lines that had not previously been located, and a shift from "patch" maintenance to a preventive, master-plan approach. Dominique Clotter, the on-site leasing agent, said staff are maintaining daily on-site presence and are using multiple communication channels (text, email, door notices) to keep residents informed. "If anyone has any concerns, they have my number personally," Clotter said.
Council members and resident speakers pressed staff on outreach and transparency. One council member asked whether residents had received the assessment and repair plan in writing; Olive said the property team maintains an open-door policy, posts notices on doors and uses mass communication tools where legally permitted. Dennis confirmed the URA's strategic retreat had approved moving forward with a comprehensive redevelopment master plan that will align with the city's broader vision for the Fort Gillum area, but she said no rent changes have been adopted and any future rent adjustments are only under consideration.
Background: the URA acquired Fort Gillum in 2012; a 25-year ground lease with a previous operator ended October 2025 and the URA resumed oversight. Staff characterized the property as 125 naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) units and said stabilization, health-and-safety repairs, and resident-centered engagement are the immediate priorities.
Next steps: staff will continue the prioritized repairs and provide updates to council; the URA and city will proceed with the comprehensive master plan and report back on schedule and costs. Residents and council members requested continued and clear resident-facing communications and committed to follow-up meetings as repair milestones are reached.
