Harrison School Apartments

Pros

• The Harrison School Apartments have a significant history.
• It was originally one of Roanoke's first Black public schools under legendary educator Lucy Addison.
• It later became a museum for African American culture and art.
• The building was renovated into apartments, now serving both market-rate tenants and subsidized residents.
• It is a nice apartment for older people, based on income.

Cons

• Elmington Property Management took over on October 28, 2024 and has done nothing to improve the property.
• Despite numerous attempts to contact them since October, there has been no response.
• Elmington's contact has consisted of odd text messages from a number that disconnects when called.
• A new website was added, but there is no information for current residents to use the rent payment portal.
• Calls to the management have gone unanswered and there has been no return call.
• Management does not come to the property.
• Some residents have overrun the building with drugs, leaving doors open.
• Visitors are being threatened, and nothing is being done about it.
• It is baffling why Elmington would take over without adequate staffing.
• The reviewer suggests legal action and paying rent to the courts if mismanagement occurs.

Review

The Harrison School Apartments, a historic building with deep roots in Roanoke's African American community, has recently become the center of renewed controversy for residents and observers. Since Elmington Property Management took over the property on October 28, 2024, many residents report a sharp drop in the quality of service and communication. The transition has been marked more by silence than by updates, with residents describing a management presence that feels virtually nonexistent. Compounding the frustration is the arrival of a new website that supposedly serves residents, yet offers no accessible portal or clear instructions for paying rent, leaving tenants in limbo about a core everyday task.

Efforts to connect with the new management have repeatedly fallen short. Numerous calls and messages sent since October have gone unanswered, creating a perception of being abandoned by the company responsible for upkeep. Some residents report receiving only sporadic, odd text messages from a number that disconnects when called, adding to the sense that communication channels are unreliable or broken. The lack of responsive contact has transformed what should be a straightforward rental experience into a frustrating, unresolved ordeal for many tenants.

Safety and day-to-day maintenance concerns have also been highlighted as major issues under Elmington's oversight. Residents allege that the management team does not come to the property, leaving problems to fester. There are troubling claims of drug activity among some residents, with doors reportedly left open to the building and threats directed at visitors - situations that would reasonably require swift and visible intervention. In short, the current conditions are described as deteriorating from what had once been a safer and more orderly living environment.

The overall assessment from at least one resident is stark: Harrison School Apartments deserve two stars. The takeaway is that Elmington's takeover has failed to translate into improvements on the ground. The property is described as lacking adequate staffing, which many readers interpret as a root cause for the ongoing neglect and lack of timely responses. In a strongly worded part of the message, the reviewer even suggests that those facing similar management issues consider legal action and, in extreme cases, pay rent to the courts if mismanagement persists - an exhortation that underscores the depth of frustration felt by tenants.

Yet there is also a recognition of the building's rich history and potential. The Harrison School Apartments were originally one of Roanoke's first Black public schools, guided by the legacy of Lucy Addison, a beacon in local education. The site later served as a museum for African American culture and art before being renovated into apartments. Today, the building accommodates both market-rate tenants and subsidized residents, bridging a past rooted in education and culture with a present focused on housing. This historical arc adds a layer of importance to the property beyond its immediate living conditions.

Residents also note a sliver of positive context amid the turmoil. For some, the apartments remain a "nice apartment for older people that's based on income," suggesting that the housing model can be well-suited to certain tenants. The contrast between the potential benefits of income-based housing and the current management failures creates a complex portrait: a historically significant building with a strong community legacy, facing practical and administrative challenges that threaten to erode its value to residents.

In conclusion, the Harrison School Apartments hold a meaningful place in Roanoke's history and offer potential as a stable home for older residents with income-based housing. The current management transition to Elmington, however, is being experienced as a period of neglect and miscommunication, marked by a lack of visible on-site presence, unanswered inquiries, and safety concerns arising from drug activity and unsecured doors. The historical significance of the building remains intact, but residents are calling for concrete improvements, better staffing, and more reliable communication to restore confidence and ensure that the property fulfills its promise as a safe, well-run place to live.

This part of Roanoke, Virginia, offers a wide range of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to live in the area. With multiple physicians' offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and restaurants nearby, residents have easy access to healthcare and dining options. Additionally, the proximity to parks and cafes provides opportunities for leisure activities and socializing. The presence of places of worship allows for spiritual engagement within the community. Overall, this area offers a convenient and well-rounded living environment for seniors in Roanoke.

Physicians

• Carilion Internal Medicine (0.2 miles)
• City of Roanoke Employee Health (0.7 miles)
• Lions Sight Foundation of Virginia (0.8 miles)
• Carilion Clinic Wound Center (1 miles)
• Carilion Clinic Urogynecology - Roanoke (1 miles)
• Pediatric Clinic-Carilion Center (1 miles)
• Carilion Diabetes Management Program (1.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Big Lick Brewing Company (0.5 miles)
• Tuco's Taqueria Garaje (0.5 miles)
• Jefferson Center (0.7 miles)
• Domino's Pizza (0.7 miles)
• Martin's Downtown (0.7 miles)
• Billy's (0.7 miles)
• Clutch Smoked Meats (0.7 miles)

Transportation

• Roanoke Higher Education Center Smart Way Stop (0.5 miles)
• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Washington Park (0.6 miles)
• Elmwood Park (0.9 miles)
• Wasena Park (1.1 miles)
• Vic Thomas Park (1.3 miles)
• Norwich Park (1.6 miles)
• Mill Mountain Park (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Sweet Donkey Coffee (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Johns Episcopal Church (1 miles)
• Rescue Mission Ministries (1 miles)
• St James Episcopal Church (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital (1 miles)
• Carilion Clinic Inpatient Rehabilitation (1 miles)
• Roanoke Ambulatory Surgery Center (1.2 miles)
• Carilion Health System (2 miles)
• Roanoke Memorial Hospitals (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Wonder Drug Southeast Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Carilion Clinic Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)