GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Many have noticed the bright purple buildings, now constantly changing in color as the exteriors draw closer to completion, off Ford Avenue here in Gridley. They are another part of the development boom kicking off here in town.

These apartments are some of the first of many developments set to begin construction throughout the Gridley area. The Ford Oaks Apartments will be the first apartments to be built in our community since the completion of the Washington Court Apartments. Also set to begin construction is the Sunrise Senior Apartments, which will feature 37 units, and which is set to be developed off Hwy 99.

According to Gridley’s Planning Commissioner, Donna Decker, the two residential, three-story buildings, of the Ford Oaks Apartment site will feature 24 two-bedroom units at 797 sq. ft. each and 12 three-bedroom units at 1,024 sq. ft. each. The complex will also feature a single story, 1,830 sq. ft. community building. The Ford Oaks community will have a total of 72 parking spaces, providing for 25 percent compact sizes.

The apartments are part of the effort to bring affordable housing to the Gridley area. Decker says these units will serve “families with incomes of 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% income levels of the Butte County Average Median Income (AMI).” At this time there is no firm date of completion, but construction of the Ford Oaks Apartments is moving along quickly, and they are expected to be move-in ready sometime later this year.