Emma Johnson, One of the First Friendship Court Residents, Looks Forward to the Redevelopment
Emma Johnson has lived in Charlottesville for a long time, mostly as a resident at Friendship Court Apartments. Originally from Nelson County, Emma moved back to the area after living in Ohio for much of her life. Emma said she knew she wanted to retire to this area where she spent her early years. She decided to move to Friendship Court after her youngest daughter started college at the University of Virginia because it was affordable and new. Emma, mother to six children, moved into the community after she had been living on Anderson Street, in the 10th and Page neighborhood in Charlottesville. At the time, Emma said they were still finishing the construction of Friendship Court. There was a church on the property where people would go for service on Sundays. Emma said she had her own church, but sometimes she would go to the one at Friendship Court and has fond memories of it.
When she was in her early thirties, Emma came to work in Charlottesville as a textile worker, not far from Friendship Court, at the historic IX building. Emma recalls Frank Ix fondly, saying she would ask him what he planned to do after he retired. She claims he would say simply, “Oh, I don’t know, Emma, I suppose I will just go home and do nothing.” At the time, she says, she always knew she could talk to Mr. Ix about any troubles she had and he would help straighten things out.
Emma leads a busy lifestyle for a 90-year-old. She opens her door often to any one of her 15 grandchildren and she likes to get out and do most of her own shopping. She enjoys reading and sewing and taking care of her home. Emma, who has lived at Friendship Court now for close to 40 years, said she is excited about the changes to come. “I think it’s going to be really nice. I like the idea of changes around here.” She likes the idea of being able to take an elevator up and down so she doesn’t have to take the stairs. Emma approves of the “hop-scotch” phasing approach to the redevelopment so that no one is displaced. She says it “all sounds just great!”
The neighbors take care of Ms. Johnson at Friendship Court. She said I believe in treating people the way you want to be treated and that’s just what she does, “I am nice to people and they are nice back to me. That’s how to be a good neighbor. I was brought up the right way.”
Emma said she has always been treated well at Friendship Court. Piedmont Housing Alliance looks forward to continuing to treat her well and to starting the positive changes at Friendship Court soon.