Community Works
At Montage Development, we believe we have a responsibility to the communities where we build. Our commitment is based on a belief in community empowerment; in providing working people with the opportunity to live the American dream of home ownership; and in creating better and safer neighborhoods. It is the very fabric of who we are and what we do. And it is why whenever we have the opportunity to leverage our skills and resources for long term community betterment Montage can be counted on to do so.
What follows are brief descriptions of just a few of our recent community service oriented projects.
Fire Station 81
Built almost a half century ago as a temporary facility, Fire Station 81 has never been improved. The result is a cramped station with nowhere for the firefighters to congregate, bond and eat. Councilman Tony Cardenas asked Montage to enlarge the stations kitchen facilities. We gladly accepted. How could we not? The fire fighters are there to support and protect the entire community, including many Montage homeowners. To meet our goal of building safe, welcoming neighborhoods, we work closely with all safety and law enforcement agencies. The benefits are obvious: Better conditions for the firefighters and a safer community for the tens of thousands of Arleta residents that Fire Station 81 serves.
Christ Tabernacle Church of God In Christ
The Tabernacle church, built in 1962, sat on 5 acres and was terribly rundown and burdened by back taxes. Montage worked closely with the church Pastor and the local community to develop a win-win situation that benefited the neighborhood and the church. In return for building 12 homes on 3 of the acres, Montage would provide the money, planning and time to remodel the church facility. The rebuilt church will serve the community for many years to come.
Montage Neighborhood Watch Programs
Montage’s responsibility for its neighborhoods doesn't’t end after our homes are built and sold. The safety and security of residents is of ongoing concern. Which is why we set up the Montage Neighborhood Watch program in all of our communities. Acting as a leader and catalyst, Montage brings existing and new residents together with the local Lead LAPD Officer to discuss ways to reduce crime and enhance their neighborhoods. The sharing of information and concern that is generated in these meetings goes a long way in creating neighborhoods that work together and neighbors who look out for each other, empowering themselves in the process. The benefits to this program are enormous: closer communities, reduced crime, shared responsibility and a safer place to live for the tens of thousands of people in the area.
Jewish Home for the Aging
Home-Aid partnered with Montage to remodel a home to house seniors. We agreed to lead the entire process beginning with permits through to completion. Montage staffers and our subs reviewed, evaluated, planned and built a state of the art senior housing facility. We paid particular attention to the tiny details that would make this home specifically well suited for the seniors who would be living here. We included ramps, appropriate height counters, easy to grasp door knobs and easily accessible showers. The new facility will be home for four residents at a time, many in the future, and we hope will inspire other builders to follow suit with a similar commitment.
Heschel West Middle School
As a member of the Board of Directors of Heschel West School, Steve Ross was acutely aware of the school’s need for upgrading and expanding their existing space. At the behest of the Board, Montage built two new classrooms and upgraded the facilities to serve the over 300 students of the school. The long term benefits are immeasurable since it keeps Heschel viable and able to expand even further. Besides permits, the biggest obstacle was time: Montage had the students’ summer vacation to complete the expansion. One day late, and school would not open.
There are many more Montage stories of community involvement from Pacoima Beautiful to the Familas Unidas Peace March. It’s just our way of giving back to the neighborhoods and people who have given us so much.
