Parkview Villa

Pros

• Parkview Villa is described as a great place with friends and close proximity to shops.
• Keairra Cardriche is an excellent site manager overseeing 900+ units.
• Rochelle Homes is learning the process and doing a fine job assisting.
• Mary Ann Prado is indispensable, keeping residents informed and organizing events.
• The maintenance team, including Alex, Jim Carmichael, and Anthony Lor, is caring and skilled.
• Corinna Lowe is approachable.
• The Resident Council Members are hardworking and help the community thrive.

Cons

• There are negative opinions about the facilities.
• The heating problem leaves residents freezing in winter.
• The resident regrets moving out of Parkview Villa.

Review

Parkview Villa in Columbia Heights stands out as a place that left a warm, lasting impression on me. I used to live there and I really liked it - it's a community that felt close to shops and all the everyday conveniences that make life easier. I made friends, found a sense of belonging, and I regret moving out. If the chance came to move back, I would take it in a heartbeat because Parkview Villa, in my view, is a great place to call home.

A big part of the appeal comes from family ties and the social fabric of the building. My mom and stepdad also live there, and they've never had any problems with the place. They occasionally hop on a bus with other Residents to enjoy fun outings, which speaks to the supportive, community-oriented environment that Parkview Villa fosters. It isn't just about where you live; it's about the opportunities to connect, socialize, and participate in activities that make daily life richer.

Parkview Villa offers multiple housing options, including market-rate housing as well as a nine-floor subsidized building. This mix helps create a diverse and inclusive community, where residents with different needs and budgets can share the same campus and access the same services. The variety of living arrangements contributes to the sense of liveliness and practicality I've always appreciated about the place.

As an elder in my community, I bring years of experience and a broad perspective, and I've observed the leadership and daily operations with care. The site is led by Keairra Cardriche, who manages a sprawling portfolio of more than 900 units. I remember when she started as an assistant manager and began to learn the site management process here; she has grown into her role with evident competence. The Assistant Site Manager, Rochelle Homes, is also learning the ropes and doing a fine job assisting Keairra as the processes are put into practice. Their teamwork - along with the hands-on support from Mary Ann Prado, the Resident Connections Coordinator - creates a smooth, well-organized front office where residents' questions are answered and needs are met with courtesy and attention.

Mary Ann Prado is indispensable in her role, keeping a steady pulse on all things resident-related. She organizes in-house events, coordinates trips, and makes sure every resident's questions are addressed. Her hands-on approach helps the front office stay aligned with what residents want and need, and she works tirelessly to ensure no one slips through the cracks. In addition to Mary Ann, the Resident Council Members - both past and present - play a crucial role, providing insights into how the community can work better. It's clear that the staff and volunteers function in a true partnership with residents to keep Parkview Villa informed about everything from vendor visits and snow removal to waste management, heating and cooling issues, elevator service, parking lot construction, pest control, neighborhood watch updates, and a broad range of programming and announcements.

Maintenance staff has also been a strong point of Parkview Villa's appeal. I've seen how the team has evolved over time - from a former maintenance technician, Alex, who was very helpful, to two newer additions: Jim Carmichael, Maintenance Technician, and Anthony Lor, Building Technician. I've had the chance to get to know them a little, and I've found them to be good people - caring, skilled, and able to blend in smoothly with the residents. Their presence gives me confidence that maintenance issues are being handled with care and competence. I also had the opportunity to meet Corinna Lowe, Portfolio Director, briefly; she came across as approachable, and I appreciated the chance to say hello.

All of this teamwork - between staff, residents, and volunteers - creates a thriving and vibrant community at Parkview Villa. I'm grateful for the sense that the management and the resident leadership work hand in hand to keep everyone informed and engaged. The building feels like a place where people look out for one another and where questions and concerns are addressed with a proactive spirit. It's clear that the people who serve Parkview Villa are dedicated to making it a welcoming, well-functioning home for the diverse residents who live there.

There is one caveat I'd mention: the heating. Keairra is awesome and she genuinely strives to get things done, and the new maintenance staff also do their part, but the heat problem remains in winter. The building can get freezing cold, and solving that issue would go a long way toward making a good situation even better. Still, I'll add that Keairra is the manager I respond to most positively, and I've seen the new maintenance team push hard to address issues. There were other good staff experiences too, including a positive note about Kara - the warmth and reliability she showed when she was involved. Taken together, the overall experience is one of a community that I want to be a part of again; it's rare to find such a combination of strong leadership, capable maintenance, active resident involvement, and a genuinely caring culture all in one place.

In sum, Parkview Villa is more than a residence to me - it's a vibrant, well-supported community where my family members feel at home and where I believe the staff truly cares about residents. The blend of market-rate and subsidized living, the proactive front-office team led by Keairra and Mary Ann, the capable maintenance crew, and the active Resident Council all contribute to a setting that feels alive, connected, and resilient. If I had the chance to return, I would embrace it gladly, standing by Parkview Villa as a place that deserves recognition for its dedication to residents and its commitment to maintaining a welcoming, engaged community - even as certain issues like heating continue to require attention.

This area of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, offers convenient access to essential services for seniors looking to settle in a friendly community. With several pharmacies nearby such as CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, medical needs are easily met. The close proximity to parks like Silverwood Park and Boom Island Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There are also various dining options available, including Steele & Hops and Cowboy Jack's, catering to different tastes. For medical care, there are reputable hospitals such as Unity Hospital and Hennepin County Medical Center within a short distance. Public transportation is accessible through the Minnesota State Fair Transit Hub, adding convenience for getting around the area. Overall, this location offers a mix of amenities that can cater well to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment in Columbia Heights.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Park Nicollet Clinic (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Silverwood Park (1.1 miles)
• Boom Island Park (3.6 miles)
• North Loop Dog Park (4 miles)
• Mill Ruins Park (4.3 miles)
• Twin Lake Beach Park (4.5 miles)
• Gateway Dog Park - Off-Leash Play Area (5 miles)
• Central Park Playground (5.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Steele & Hops (1.1 miles)
• Cowboy Jack's (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Tony Jaro's River Garden (2.3 miles)
• Jimmy's Bar & Lounge (2.5 miles)
• Sociable Cider Werks (2.6 miles)
• Indeed Brewing Company (2.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Dunn Brothers Coffee (5.4 miles)
• Roundtable Cof (5.7 miles)
• Spyhouse Coffee (6.2 miles)

Physicians

• Fairview Clinics (2.2 miles)
• Eye Care Center (2.7 miles)
• Fairview Fridley Clinic (3 miles)
• Cardiovascular Systems (3.2 miles)
• Aesthetic Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (4.6 miles)
• HealthPartners Health Center for Women Clinic St Paul (5.4 miles)
• Eyeklinic of Edinburgh (5.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Fridley United Methodist Church (3.1 miles)
• North Heights Lutheran Church (4.4 miles)
• Elim Church Center (4.4 miles)
• Westminster Presbyterian Church (5.1 miles)
• Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Rosedale 14 (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Unity Hospital (4.4 miles)
• Hennepin County Medical Center (4.9 miles)
• University of Minnesota Medical Center - East Bank Campus (4.9 miles)
• Csc Gi Lab (4.9 miles)
• Regency Hospital (5.5 miles)

Transportation

• Minnesota State Fair Transit Hub (5.3 miles)