Neighborhood Patterns An update on Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s real estate initiatives Summer/Fall 2010 FY10 Volume 2
Inside This Issue... • Neighborhood Spotlight on Church St./Huntersville
Sales Brisk at Nearly Complete Maplewoods The Maplewoods @ Olde Huntersville, Virginia’s largest green-built townhome community, is nearly complete in the 1500 block of the revitalized Church Street corridor. The 27 new townhomes, ranging from 1,500 to 2,100 square feet, are being built to EarthCraft/Energy Star standards. As of early summer, sales were brisk with more than half the units either sold or under contract.
• New Townhomes @ 26th St. “The Maplewoods @ Olde Huntersville adds one more remarkable chapter to the long and storied history and Hampton Blvd. of Church Street,” Mayor Paul Fraim said. “The addition of 27 new townhomes will enhance the renewal of one of Norfolk’s most vibrant and exciting communities.” Over the past 20 years, NRHA has invested
• Lamberts Point Community more than $20 million in the redevelopment of the Church Street community. Center Opens • Lamberts Point Senior Apartments Rise
Of the 27 units, 12 are three-story with approximately 2,100 square feet and 15 are two-story with 1,500 square feet. Floor plans range from 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths to 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. Plan types offer variety and options such as a first floor bedroom. Twenty units have one- or two-car garages. Others have parking pads or storage sheds, but may add a garage as an option.
• Ocean Dream Demo
The townhouses are served by a mews system that allows rear parking, improving street front quality and livability. All units have private, fenced yards. The exteriors are 75 % brick veneer with remaining • Earthcraft Virginia Builder materials being durable fiber cement siding. The residences are diverse in appearance, with a different Award style and presence created on each of the three streets. All utilities are underground.
• PRIDE Program • 2010 Fall Homearama @ East Beach • First-Time Buyer Program
Neighborhood amenities, convenience and walkability abound. The new Church Street Executive Center is one block away and in close proximity are the Attucks Theatre, Virginia Zoo and Five Points Community Farm Market. Church Street also has a dedicated bicycle lane. The townhouses join two other recent residential developments on Church Street – West Church and The Townhomes at East Church. A grand opening event for The Maplewoods @ Olde Huntersville is expected in Fall 2010. Sales Contact: Associated Contracting Services (757.465.1440) Howerin Construction (757.440.0036)
Attucks Lights Up Church Street The Attucks is noted as the nation’s oldest remaining theatre that was completely financed, designed, constructed and operated by African-Americans. The theatre was named in honor of Crispus Attucks, an African-American who was the first person to die in the Revolutionary War. It opened in grand fashion in 1919, showcasing plays, concerts, vaudeville and movies. During its heyday a host of legendary performers graced the Attucks’ stage. In 1953, the Attucks ceased to function as a theatre. Fund-raising efforts to restore the theater began in the 1990’s. In addition to private contributions, NRHA subsidiary Hampton Roads Ventures facilitated more than $7 million in investments for the $10 million project. NRHA also served as construction project manager to the magnificent renovation completed in 2004. Today, the theater offers diverse and fabulous entertainment options. 1010 Church St. • Norfolk, VA 23510 • 757.622.4763 • www.attuckstheatre.org
Olde Huntersville Conversations Dr. Linda Horsey, Former NRHA Commissioner and Immediate Past President of Olde Huntersville Civic League
Dr. Linda Horsey is Human Service Lecturer at Old Dominion University and previously served as Executive Director of the Therapy Center in Norfolk. She served as president of the Olde Huntersville Civic League for three years, until February of 2010, and has been a resident of Olde Huntersville for 20 years. Dr. Horsey holds an undergraduate degree from Franklin College, as well as a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University, an MBA from New York University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Columbia University Teachers College. She has served on the boards of the Norfolk Community Services, ODU Institutional Review, Tidewater Children’s Foundation, Norfolk Interagency Consortium, Hunton YMCA as well as Norfolk Juvenile Courts Citizens Advisory Committee. In addition, Dr. Horsey is a former NRHA commissioner and currently serves on the Norfolk School Board.
Q: What has been your neighborhood’s greatest stride in the last two years? A: Increased neighborhood activity and a greater sense of peace and safety. Q: What is your neighborhood’s greatest challenge in the next two years? A: To maintain private property ownership and decrease the number of absentee landlords.
Q: How do you motivate your neighbors to take an active part in the community? A: By helping them to understand that THEY are the ones to best own and manage their property. No one is going to care about what is theirs better than they will.
Church St./Huntersville Redevelopment Snapshot Church Street
TOTAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2008
CDBG $9.3 million CIP $2.2 million TOTAL $11.5 million
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PLAN OBJECTIVES
· Acquisition of the entire project area - 175 buildings and 30 vacant lots. · Relocation assistance to residential and non- residential concerns. · Redevelopment of area into commercial, industrial and institutional uses. · Rehabilitation of buildings of architectural or historical significance. · Provision of public improvements including open spaces, street system and upgraded public utilities. · Retention of established businesses and institutions in the area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES
· Acquired 145 properties. · Relocated 167 displaced residents and businesses. · Demolished 130 structures and 1 parking lot. · Disposed of 10 properties, including land for Post Office and MLK Park. · Completed surveys for highways, utilities and boundaries. · Designed and constructed Church St. and Church St./Brambleton Ave. intersection. · Installed 53 street lights, walkways and landscaping. · Developed MLK Park. · Attucks Theatre developed.
Huntersville BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PLAN OBJECTIVES
· Acquisition of all land and demolition of all structures in Huntersville II. · Provide relocation assistance to residents and businesses. · Improve public facilities including under ground utilities, improved streets, curbs, gutters and other site improvements. · Provide land for redevelopment by public and private entities for residential, commercial, institutional and public uses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES
· Acquired 633 properties. · Relocated 661 residents. · Demolished 786 structures. · Disposed of 24 parcels, includes parcels for McCloughs Paradise Apartments, Mt. Car mel Church, United House of Prayer, Garden Prayer Temple, Graves Funeral Home, Attucks Square and Attucks Square West, Barberton and Medi Center. · Assisted 69 households with rehabilitation loans. · Designed and realigned Church St. from Goff to Virginia Beach Blvd. · Completed site development work for the Barberton/Attucks Square. · Installed street lights. · Completed new streets in the area of Anne
and Outten Streets. · Developed Huntersville Park at Goff Street & Tidewater Drive. · Developed 4 parking lots to serve new com mercial development. · Installed drainage improvements and retention pond the serve Goff and Smith St. area. · Provided 95 loans for new construction through the HOME program. · Renovated and expanded the Attucks Theater. · Developed 32 single-family houses in West Church, 24 at Attucks Square West, 28 at Attucks Square. · Provided 3 Facade Improvement Grants for Businesses. · Constructed 12 Townhomes @ East Church. · The Maplewoods @ Olde Huntersville, 27 townhomes, opening Fall 2010.
TOTAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENTS THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2008
CDBG $18.9 million CIP $1.25 million HOME $325,000 OTHER $560,000 TOTAL $21 million
Contemporary Townhomes in Lamberts Point Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) selected Howerin Construction to develop 14 EarthCraft townhomes along the south side of 26th St. at Hampton Boulevard in Lamberts Point. NRHA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in December and received responses from three builders. Site improvements to the area are underway and consist of rebuilding and reconfiguring West 26th Street west of Hampton Boulevard including the intersection with Bowdens Ferry Road. Improvements to 26th Street include a parking lane, widened sidewalks, new landscaping and upgraded storm drainage. New water and sewer lines and all overhead utilities will be placed underground. The project includes improvements to the west side of Hampton Boulevard between 25th and 27th Streets to create a gateway entrance to the new townhouses. The site concept includes incorporating the Elizabeth River Trail into the overall scheme, capturing the south side of 26th Street visually as part of the residential redevelopment on the north side. There is a proposed Elizabeth River Trail (ERT) “waterwave” pattern in the new 10-foot-wide sidewalk. Hedges on the north side will be planted and maintained in the same “waterwave” pattern. The south side of 26th Street will have pink flowering Crepe Myrtles, similar to 37th Street, to screen industrial properties to the south. Reflecting a departure from the usual styling of local townhouse projects, the concept of this new development will strike a balance between the traditional architecture of Norfolk’s heritage neighborhoods and full-fledged modern design. The units will feature two and three bedrooms, with options of two master suites, ranging from 1,280 to 1,440 square feet. These twostory units feature higher quality and higher amenity levels over larger size. The residences will be distinctly positioned in the market with competitively projected sales price points (expected $189,000 to $215,000), fresh contemporary architecture and urbane interior design appealing to young professionals. Units will have rear garages and on-street visitor parking. Units will meet EarthCraft standards by including low voltage and energy efficient fixtures, programmable thermostats, EnergyStar appliances and equipment, tankless water heaters, dual-flush toilets and flow-restrictor shower heads. Interior finishes will include recycled material countertops and flooring, renewable forest wood flooring and cabinets, natural or recycled fiber carpeting and padding and more. Green construction methods are expected to be employed, such as pre-engineered wall sections, a maximum of 5% materials waste and donation of surplus materials to the Habitat for Humanity Store in Norfolk for recycling. Construction is expected to begin in September 2010.
Staff Contact: Michael Clark 757.533.4697 • mclark@nrha.us
Senior Apartments Rise Near ODU Village Gardens, a cooperative effort between NRHA and Retirement Housing Foundation (Long Beach, CA), is in final construction stages and scheduled to be completed for move-in this winter. This affordable community for seniors will have 39 one-bedroom units and an apartment for an on-site manager. Apartments include a full kitchen, bathroom with safety amenities, a living room/dining area, individually controlled heat and air conditioning and an emergency call system. Village Gardens is located adjacent to Village Pointe, a 59 unit affordable housing apartment community for seniors. Income limitations are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Village Gardens is financed through a HUD 202 grant and design enhancement funding from The Norfolk Foundation.
Retirement Housing Foundation 562.257.5100 • TDD 800.545.1833 ext. 359
Ocean Dream Demo The “luck of the Irish” was with NRHA on St. Patrick’s Day as the derelict Ocean Dream Apartment building in Willoughby was razed. Norfolk City Council members, NRHA staff, Willoughby residents and the media watched as the Ocean Dream apartments were demolished, while enjoying a festive Irish breakfast. The event received heavy media coverage. The old Ocean Dream apartments, originally a hotel converted to 15 efficiency apartments at 1128 Little Bay Ave., had become a source of problems for the neighborhood. At the request of the Willoughby Civic League, NRHA acquired the property for $600,000.
Redevelopment plans for the parcel are pending. Approximately $3 million has been spent on improvement in the Willoughby conservation area to date. In 2009, a 16-unit apartment building was demolished on First View St. The property was divided into three lots for single-family homes, expected to be under construction this fall.
Contact: Steve Barney 757.533.4687 sbarney@nrha.us
First Annual Builder Awards EarthCraft Virginia hosted their first Builder Awards Ceremony March 25 in Richmond. Builders, developers, non-profits, Home Buyer’s Associations and other EarthCraft supporters from around the state were Russell Ward (NRHA) and in attendance to celebrate the success Joe Ketchum (ACS) of the EarthCraft program. NRHA builder partner, Associated Contracting Services (ACS) (pictured), received the award for Single Family Affordable Project of the Year. The entry was the Structural SIPS House Insulated Panel System (SIPS) house, designed by architect Greg Frech, located in Central Brambleton. Both ACS and Frech are members of the NRHA Builders and Designers Guild. Contact: Russell Ward 757.314.2079 rward@nrha.us
The EarthCraft House Program is a voluntary green building program that can accommodate any size and type of home by following the technical guidelines, which include things such as airsealing the building envelope and its mechanical systems, insulation standards above basic code, water conservation measures and the use of Energy Star appliances. The program was created in 1999 as a partnership between the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface Energy Institute. It became a statewide program in Virginia in 2005.
EarthCraft Virginia 1431 W. Main St. Richmond, VA 23220 804.225.9843 www.ecvirginia.org
PRIDE B e f o r e
Purchase Renovation Program Offers First Products
A f t e r
The PR IDE (Purchase Renovation Investment and Development Enterprise) Program is the Authority’s recently established purchase-renovation program. The goal is to identify and acquire existing houses in our conservation areas in good condition and offer them to developers for comprehensive renovation and resale. In most cases, NRHA will provide selective demolition and abatement of hazardous materials prior to the offering. The Authority has prepared proposed renovation plans and specifications establishing quality standards for the work. NRHA facilitates the partial interior and exterior demolition
The first PRIDE house, a 1,600 square foot bungalow,
of the unit. Detailed construction specifications are then
has been completely renovated by Hughes and Long
prepared by the NRHA Design and Construction Services
Construction. Located at 517 W. 36th St., the house has
Department. In general, the scope of work for PRIDE units
three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an eat-in kitchen
includes the installation of a new roof, new siding, new
and upstairs laundry. The property has become a catalyst
windows, mechanical systems, insulation, kitchen fixtures
for the renovation of adjacent properties on the block.
and appliances, toilet/bath accessories and landscaping.
The developers have also started the renovation of 236
Once the property has been sold to a developer, NRHA
W. 35th Street and anticipate completion in late summer.
monitors the renovation through completion, utilizing the same inspection process as if the unit was new construction. Staff Contact: Michael Clark • 757.533.4697 mclark@nrha.us
2010 Fall Homearama Returns to East Beach Tidewater Builders Association has announced that Norfolk’s East Beach community will host its Fall 2010 Homearama showcase of homes October 16-31, 2010. The event will feature up to 16 homes, with prices expected to be in the $450,000 to $700,000 range. It will mark the second time this premier new urbanist coastal community has hosted the event. In 2004, Homearama featured the neighborhood’s original 16 homes, highlighting porches, bay front greens, park-like open spaces, sidewalks and other elements of a traditional neighborhood development. Today, more than 250 families make it their home. East Beach is situated on 100 acres along the Chesapeake Bay in Norfolk. Surrounded by water, the neighborhood is fashioned after classic southeastern seaboard coastal villages. The master plan for this $500 million development includes 700 residences, neighborhood restaurants, boutique shops, a Bay Front Club, unique parks and public places. East Beach is a unique initiative between the developers, East Beach Company LLC, NRHA and City of Norfolk. NRHA and the City are co-sponsers of this year’s event.
*From Tidewater Builders Association Press Release
C o m i n g Neighborhood
What
Builder
S o o n Pricing
Status
West Ocean View at First View st.
Three single-family homes
Associated Contracting Services (ACS)
$225-265K
Construction to begin summer/fall 2010
BerkleyLiberty St.
Six single-family residences
Howerin Construction
$179-240K
Construction to begin summer/fall 2010
HOME Program
The HOME Investment Partnership Program, known as HOME, was implemented by the City of Norfolk and NRHA to expand quality affordable housing to low-to-moderate income households who choose to purchase a home in Norfolk. The HOME Program assists eligible first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a forgivable, no interest and no monthly payment “soft second� mortgage loan with a principal residence requirement, affordability period, forgiveness term, recapture restrictions, and refinance restrictions. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocates HOME funds to the City of Norfolk annually. NRHA administers the HOME Program for the City of Norfolk. NRHA has established and invites partnerships with Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), mortgage lenders, real estate agents/brokers and HUD-certified housing agencies to allow homebuyers access to substantial homebuyer benefits such as Sponsoring Partnerships and Revitalizing Communities (SPARC). Rebecca Burrus 757.314.2108 rburrus@nrha.us
Cora Lott 757.314.2088 clott@nrha.us
Office Hours Monday - Thursday 6:30am - 5:00pm
Vision Quality housing choices in neighborhoods where you want to live.
NRHA Board of Commissioners W. Sheppard Miller, III - Chairman Bob Layton - Vice-chairman Curtis Anderson Hattie Anderson F. Nash Bilisoly Robert Soble
Mission Provide quality housing opportunities that foster sustainable mixed-income communities.
About NRHA: Founded in 1940, NRHA is a national leader in community revitalization and fostering sustainable mixed-income communities. As the largest redevelopment and housing authority in Virginia, NRHA plays a key role in making Norfolk the city of choice to build, work, live and play. Published by NRHA Communications and Marketing Department 757-314-1645