DeKalb Center has a new name, new management and is taking steps to change its image.

Sixth Ward Ald. Jamie Pennington said the apartments, renamed Char-Lot, 1100 W. Lincoln Hwy., are mostly free of code violations and are continuing improvements.

Pennington said the management is working on plans to offer GED and self-defense classes, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and daycare in the building.

He said the building is at half capacity and has between 150 and 200 residents, a mix of students and non-students.

“There’s been a cooperative effort by management and tenants to make some overall improvements,” Pennington said.

Pennington said in addition to the new programs, the management has added security, a lounge in the basement, and gotten rid of some problem residents.

“I think we’re seeing results. If things go well, there’s talk of building a basketball court,” Pennington said.

“A lot of the problems they used to have stemmed from some of the clientele they had. There were some crooks and thieves,” Pennington said.

“The security will help because problems were sometimes caused by friends of tenants, or people who just wandered in. It had a reputation as a nice place to hang out and cause trouble,” he said.

According to the office of DeKalb Building and Community Services, the building was in violation of 104 codes two years ago.

Last spring, 10 families were forced out of their apartments when water damage occurred from a fire. Damage was estimated to be about $100,000.