Mayor Brad Cole has been admittedly pushing new housing complexes to be built in Carbondale with hopes it would force other landlords to keep houses and apartments up-to-date, but several property managers aren’t feeling the pressure.

Property managers for Wedgewood Hills, Saint Germaine Square and University Apartments agreed that they are remodeling their homes out of sheer necessity, instead of from the city’s nudge.

A new housing complex, Aspen Court, is in the building process and will add 299 units to Carbondale’s booming east end next fall. The complex will have one to four bedroom apartments.

Since Cole was elected three years ago, he said he has been trying to clean up property in Carbondale. He also said when older housing is demolished new apartments can be brought in.

“New rentals are going to provide a new option for people, and it also … brings in new competition,” Cole said. “Whenever there is something new, it makes the other stuff either get replaced or get some updates.”

Property manager, Ben Melby, said renovations are always necessary and if landlords want to keep renting good quality property, they will update on their own, without pressure from the city.

Melby, who manages University Apartments, also said the 45-unit apartments are at maximum capacity and doesn’t see new housing affecting their rentals because single-person housing is always needed.

Loretta Cooley, owner of Wedgewood Hills, said she is in the process of getting rid of her mobile homes and replacing them with townhouse-duplexes because it was time to upgrade. She said her property is extending from 80 to 130 units, and Cooley said she wasn’t worried by Aspen Court’s new appearance in Carbondale because vacancies for housing will always exist.

Tammy Charles, property manager for Saint Germaine Square, said their 122-single unit property is under renovation and won’t be complete until May. She said new management is the reason why they are renovating.

“It was way past time to upgrade, so we are in the process of doing that,” Charles said.

Reporter Matthew McConkey can be reached at [email protected]