Buena Clinton began as a residential apartment neighborhood in the early 1960s, but by the 1980s, overcrowding, increasingly uninhabitable structures and a high rate of unemployment among residents resulted in Buena Clinton having the highest concentration of families living below the poverty level in Garden Grove. The community was also plagued with high rates of crime

By the end of the 1980s, however, the combined efforts of local government officials and residents produced a neighborhood revitalization strategy, and developed a public/private partnership to acquire and rehabilitate the buildings. “The reality of that commitment now spans 20 years, and Jamboree has been an integral part of that since 1996,” the company points out.

Laura Archuleta, president of Jamboree, says that the renovation of Grove Park “is a model for what can be achieved when a city makes a bold commitment to the future of its residents.” The redevelopment partnership works “because the City of Garden Grove and Jamboree share the same mission and goals: to provide stable, affordable housing to residents, with services that build community and a sense of community ownership,” Archuleta says.

Financing for the Grove Park renovation was accomplished through a public/private partnership including the City of Garden Grove, the Garden Grove Housing Authority and Union Bank. Stimulus funds were also accessed through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act .

Extensive interior renovations include new paint, window coverings, linoleum and carpeting; bathrooms and kitchens have new plumbing fixtures, counter tops and cabinets, new kitchen appliances, new windows, electrical upgrades to accommodate new air conditioning service, new light fixtures and smoke detectors. Exterior renovations include stucco repairs and new paint, asphalt repairs in parking areas, new landscape and upgrades to the irrigation system.

The rehabilitation of Grove Park also includes a variety of green features such as natural linoleum in all kitchens and bathrooms (without VOC adhesives), CRI Green Label carpet, materials for cabinets, countertops, and shelving that is free of padded formaldehyde, and all wall, ceiling and floor penetrations are sealed with laminates and/or a low VOC primer or sealant.

Gala Construction served as general contractor for the Grove Park renovation, and The John Stewart Co. will provide onsite property management.