Riverside Plaza sits near the blue and green line light rail and several bus stops, so people get around pretty easily if they don't drive, and it's home to residents of many backgrounds, including East African and West African communities, which gives the place a real sense of diversity that you don't always see, plus there's a focus on keeping the community spirit strong with events and activities for everyone. The property itself is large-it has 1,303 units spread across six buildings, and architect Ralph Rapson designed the unique floor plans. There are options for studio, 1, 2, or 3-bedroom layouts with a range of square footage and rents, and since Riverside Plaza works with the LIHTC program and Sherman Associates manages it, they offer more amenities than some other affordable housing programs, but not every unit takes Section 8 vouchers-they've got their own project-based rental assistance for some apartments. Larry Mitchell serves as the manager, and about 15 people work on staff, providing on-site management, maintenance, and 24-hour emergency support, though some residents say it takes a while to get help and that repairs sometimes don't happen as fast as they'd like, and issues like elevator breakdowns, unsanitary conditions, pest problems, and security concerns like theft and intruders do come up more often than folks would hope for a place this size.
Older adults at Riverside Plaza can choose from several care options depending on what they need day-to-day, including independent living with a maintenance-free setup, social activities, and meals served fresh in a common dining area, assisted living with personal care, help with daily activities, medication tracking, and more, specialized memory care in secure areas for people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, plus skilled nursing for those who need wound care, full nursing support, or even physical rehabilitation. There's even respite care if family caregivers need a break. The staff has a reputation for being kind and helpful, and there's a daily program focused on social, mental, and physical activities, plus access to outings and local transportation. There's a playground, two outdoor play areas for kids, and the Mississippi River trails nearby for walks or biking, and the surrounding neighborhood has schools like Cedar Riverside Community School and Seward Montessori, along with on-site day care and retail shops, a cafe serving coffee and pastries, and a cozy lobby that visitors say is inviting, even though package theft sometimes happens.
Security features at Riverside Plaza include controlled access entries, surveillance cameras, a security staff, courtesy patrols, video patrol, and a fire sprinkler system, but even with these, many residents still report feeling unsafe due to violence or drug activity, especially in the common areas and halls, and package theft is a frequent complaint, particularly in the front lobby. Building amenities cover laundry rooms, an elevator, oversized windows or even floor-to-ceiling glass with views, balcony or patio spaces, on-site maintenance, central heating and air, and utilities rolled into the rent, plus parking that comes in garage, surface lot, or assigned spaces, so most daily needs are covered on site. Units are available to people who meet income requirements, and the Plaza accepts Section 8 vouchers in some cases, though restrictions apply for certain rent-subsidized apartments.
Even with its historic status as a Ralph Rapson building on the National Register of Historic Places and the range of unique offerings, the Plaza faces criticism for old infrastructure, slow or insufficient repairs, broken fixtures, roaches, mice, bed bugs, access problems when elevators go down, and a lobby prone to theft. Some residents say management doesn't always respond quickly, sometimes closing the office or not answering calls. Still, Riverside Plaza has a strong sense of community and offers housing, medical help, meals, activities, and support for a large, varied group of people, making it a mainstay in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood, even though there are real areas that need improvement.
