Briefly in the news

A project to build 150 apartments for low-income seniors is expected

to begin construction in late 2002, city officials announced Tuesday.

The project, on Lower Bayview Landing near Coast Highway at Jamboree

Road, will be managed by the Related Cos. under a lease from the Irvine

Co. Construction is scheduled to be done by late 2003.

The announcement comes a week after just-appointed Mayor Tod Ridgeway,

a professional developer, announced that creating low-income housing in

the city would be a top priority.

Residents 55 and older, with an income no greater than 60% of the

county median, may reside at the new one- and two-bedroom apartments.

About 40% of the units will be reserved for seniors with incomes below

50% of the county median. So, seniors with incomes slightly more than

$30,000 a year, which is 60% of the county median, will be eligible for

the one-bedroom apartments. Rent of about $650 and $780 will be adjusted

annually.