A new long-term lease has been signed for The Orchard Apartments in the Midway District and tenants in the sprawling, 563-apartment complex were informed by management that security is going to be beefed up and that major renovations will include a new clubhouse.

On March 31, Michael Drogin, president of Central Management Inc. and managing general partner of The Orchard, addressed residents of the seniors’ complex. The property has increasingly been plagued by problems with theft and homeless people wandering unescorted through the premises, which presently has unrestricted access.

“I’m sure you’ve heard about the homeless, the unsheltered, and the associated impact it’s having on our community,” said Drogin. “I’m here to find solutions. We all want the same thing: a secure, safe community for all of you.”

Noting the City owns the property, which is leased, Drogin said: “We just renewed the lease for another 50 years, which I’m very excited about. It allows us to address many of these issues that we’re talking about. And it can’t come soon enough.”

Referring to homeless encampments that have been spreading up and down Hancock Street, which runs from Rosecrans Street through Midway’s warehouse district to Sports Arena Boulevard, Drogin noted, “It’s impacting us, and I’d like to focus on (security) ideas about what we can do here.”

The Orchard Apartments is a low-income senior community for active seniors aged 55 and up. The Orchard consists of two phases. The first, built in 1977, has 275 units. The second phase, built in 1981, has 288 units. The seniors complex, at 4040 Hancock St., has studio and one-bedroom apartments and a clubhouse with a large community room, leasing offices, a pool room, a community kitchen, a library, computer lab, restrooms, and an administrative office.

Drogin urged residents to call 911 to report crimes or related problems encountered to the police. “Let them know there’s a crime in progress,” he said. “That gets their attention.”

“We need to organize better,” said Drogin, asking residents to inform management as well of problems that arise.

Drogin talked about some of the planned improvements. “We’re going to be securing the property,” he said. “It’s very involved. “We have to change the locks, automate the doors. We’ve gotten bids. And the improvements we have planned for The Orchard are really going to address a lot of those (issues).”

Drogin said management would be hiring an additional security person to patrol the property in the daytime as well as at night. He noted management is looking into electronically locking laundry rooms and pedestrian gates, along with locking dumpsters at night. He added they’ve updated outdoor lighting and are looking into locating cameras strategically around the property.

“The things we can do immediately – those have been done,” Drogin said.

Residents at the March 31 meeting complained of a lack of parking and of some residents, who park in the complex’s designated parking lot, using their vehicles for storage rather than mobility.

“We’re trying to adapt, as best we can, within our 10 acres,” responded Drogin, adding future plans including razing the existing clubhouse structure, and replacing it with a brand-new facility, which he said will take about a year.

Drogin will return in May at a town hall at The Orchard to inform residents in greater detail about proposed changes and improvements.

Proposed renovations at The Orchard:

Widening walkways to enhance accessibility.

Replacing fire lanes and site drainage.

Interior apartment remodels include replacing kitchen cabinets and counters, appliances, single-pane windows, and updating vinyl and carpet floorings.

Installing drought-tolerant plants and updating irrigation.

Installing a security fence and a gate system on all property entrances.