Neighborhood Patterns An update on Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s real estate initiatives Spring/Summer 2011 FY11 Volume 3
New Case Study Demonstrates NRHA’s Significant Economic and Quality of Life Impact on Norfolk
Inside This Issue... • Neighborhood Spotlight: Central Brambleton • Affordable Senior Housing • Neighborhood Patterns Recognized • Looking Ahead in South Brambleton • Moton Circle Comes Down • Robo Car Wash Site Cleared • NRHA Builders & Designers Guild • Village Gardens • Grandy Village Learning Center • Lambert’s Point Townhomes • Coastal Living’s Ultimate Beach House • East Beach Community • HomeNet
Groundbreaking for Central Brambleton Arch, 2001
In 1991, Norfolk City Council established a conservation effort to revitalize Norfolk’s Central Brambleton neighborhood. Bordered on the north by Virginia Beach Blvd., on the east by Park Ave., on the south by Brambleton Ave., and on the west by Norfolk Southern railway, the neighborhood had fallen into a steep decline and was considered a decrepit and unsafe community. The challenges were much too large for residents and private enterprise to overcome alone. Lofty goals were set by the city for the project. If the neighborhood was to be returned to a viable community it was crucial to increase the tax base, reduce crime, improve employment opportunities and further economic development. NRHA, with the cooperation and participation from city agencies, non-profits, Central Brambleton Civic League, Norfolk State University and other private partners was to lead the comprehensive effort. Since the early 1990s, approximately $22.7 million has been spent in neighborhood improvements. The expenditure has resulted in a significant economic impact and a greatly improved quality of life for area residents, according to economists, Dr. Roy Pearson and Dr. Scott Swan, of the Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary. The research team was contracted by NRHA to study the economic impact continued on page 2
New Case Study cont’d. of Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) activities. Their feedback on the Central Brambleton conservation project is contained in an interim report, recently submitted to NRHA, the first results of a larger study currently underway. The report shows that, today, the Central Brambleton neighborhood has a greatly improved tax base, generating a significant $414,925 in property revenue for Norfolk in 2010, with an assessed property value of $37.4 million (an increase of 360% since 2001). The people living in the neighborhood are contributing tax payers – 435 jobs created since project inception, with an average wage of $45,285. Improvements increased by $15.3 million or 523%, and the underlying land values increased substantially, by $3.4 million or 420%. Pearson and Swan report that the Central Brambleton conservation project has more than delivered on its initial investment. What’s more, the team finds the analysis especially encouraging as a case study from just a single neighborhood, and think it projects with some confidence NRHA’s significant impact, both quantitatively and qualitatively, across the city. They conclude their analysis by stating, “NRHA has supplied necessary impetus by attracting federal money and offering the capabilities to pull it all together.” Looking forward, NRHA has plans for over 20 new townhomes and single-family residences in Central Brambleton, which would add about $4 million to Norfolk’s residential tax base.
What the Neighborhood says: Darnetta Saunders, past president of the Central Brambleton Civic League, summarized the general view, “NRHA is a tremendous help for Norfolk across groups and incomes. NRHA drives better contracting services. Home designs are out of the box. They do a great job of inspiring homeownership…owning your own property gets people involved. My property value is up 100%. Greenery and lighting say a lot about the community…big improvements in how the neighborhood looks and it is built to a higher code. They have gotten rid of blight… and there is a lot better collaboration among police, the civic league and residents.”
Rezoning at Tidewater Drive & I-64 Will Make Way for Affordable Senior Housing NRHA submitted a 9% housing tax credit (LIHTC) application on March 11, to the Virginia Housing and Development Authority (VHDA), for a proposed 43-unit senior-only apartment building. The project would be constructed on an assembled two-acre site at the northeastern intersection of Tidewater Dr. and I-64, adjacent to the existing 114-unit Robert Partrea senior apartments. The new units would provide housing for seniors making less than 50 percent of area median income (oneperson household making less than $23,900), by using project-based housing choice vouchers. The building will be four stories, and is designed to meet Earthcraft standards for energy efficiency. On March 8, Norfolk City Council approved rezoning of the site. The application for funding is competitive and an award announcement from VHDA is anticipated in June 2011. If successful, construction is planned for March 2012, with both completion and leasing availability in September 2013. The estimated cost of the project is $7.8 million.
Neighborhood Patterns Recognized with Top Prize in VAHCDO Competition NRHA’s “Neighborhood Patterns,” Summer/Fall 2009 newsletter took home the top prize in the Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials’ (VAHCDO) first annual Outstanding Newsletter competition, held in late fall 2010. This very first issue of “Neighborhood Patterns,” competed against a variety of veteran publications submitted by VAHCDO’s member agencies, and was judged as deserving of the first place prize because of its clean, easy-to-read layout; well-written and uplifting content, and the overall good feeling these winning characteristics convey. Four judges, all with experience in marketing and public relations reviewed and scored the newsletters. They included Bob Halloran, marketing director, VHDA; Tamara Talmadge-Anderson, director of public relations, Virginia Tourism Corporation; Anne Moss Rogers, copywriter and marketing consultant; and Suzie Bird, creative team leader, VHDA.
Looking Ahead in South Brambleton Clear Blight and Make Room for Transit Development Demolitions are underway for the Family Car Wash, Shell gas station and Pollard’s Chicken located at the intersection of Brambleton and Park Ave. These properties were acquired as part of the South Brambleton Redevelopment Plan. The site will eventually be used for transit-oriented development adjacent to the Norfolk State University light rail station on Brambleton Ave.
On March 25, the City of Norfolk and NRHA were presented with a $250,000 check by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Choice Neighborhoods Grant to revitalize St. Paul’s Quadrant. Pictured left to right are: NRHA CEO Shurl Montgomery, HUD Virginia Field Office Director John Hall, U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott, Norfolk ViceMayor Anthony Burfoot and NRHA Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Bob Layton. The grant was one of 17 awarded nationally and the only grant awarded in Virginia.
Obsolete Moton Circle Apartments Make Way for Future Residences The long-anticipated demolition of Moton Circle Apartments came to fruition April 27. The NRHA Board of Commissioners hosted a picnic lunch following remarks by Mayor Paul Fraim, Vice-Mayor Anthony Burfoot, State Senator Yvonne Miller, as well as HUD representatives, Congressional staff and former residents.
NRHA has requested $1 million for planning services for site development and infrastructure for 70 market rate residences. The preliminary site plan calls for a total of 110-130 rental and homeownership units at final build-out.
Clearance of the 11 acres at 2500 Jamaica Ave. will make way for the further “broadening” of the vibrant Broad Creek mixed-use and income community. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved the NRHA’s application to demolish the 58-year old Moton Circle assisted-rental complex in May 2010. The application was made on August 2009, after NRHA had determined that “the development was obsolete as to physical condition, location or other factors, making it unsuitable for housing purposes, and no reasonable program of modification was costeffective to return the public housing project(s) or portion of the project to useful life.” Following demolition, site planning and obtaining financial commitments, NRHA will construct affordable rental units as well as affordable and market-rate homeownership residences. These new dwellings will accommodate displaced residents who want to return to the community and who meet the criteria for re-occupancy.
On site at The Maplewoods at Olde Huntersville, NRHA Architect Nat McCormick speaks about the advantages of green building practices with students from Suffolk’s Pruden Center for Industry & Technology.
Robo Car Wash Site Cleared as part of Revitalization Central Hampton Boulevard The remains of the defunct Robo Car Wash, at 2613 Hampton Blvd. were demolished in early March as part of an overall City of Norfolk initiative to upgrade the Central Hampton Blvd. corridor. This effort will create a gateway for 14 new EarthCraft townhomes that are being constructed on 26th St. between Hampton Blvd. and Bowdens Ferry Rd. Overall goals for the full revitalization effort include improved traffic flow, enhanced walkability, resolution of existing land-use conflicts and fostering of a vibrant mixed-income community. A specific re-use of the car wash site has not yet been determined.
NRHA Builders & Designers Guild Welcomes 2 New Contractor Members Two contractors, both new to the NRHA Builders & Designers Guild, have stepped forward in response to an NRHA Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purchase and development of 13 singlefamily, detached residential lots. Hughes and Long Construction, LLC of Chesapeake, will build out two parcels located at Indian River Rd. and Whitehead Ave. in Norfolk’s Berkley neighborhood. Home Builders I, Inc. of Suffolk will develop two parcels located on Shipp Ave. near Norfolk State University. Five other parcels were awarded to another Guild member builder, Richardson Homes, Inc. of Norfolk. Construction on the awarded parcels will begin in late spring 2011. The homes, with a price range of $155,000 to $300,000 will be priced affordably for working-class families. Expected home sales should total $1.8 million.
Village Gardens Ribbon Cutting NRHA Chief Executive Officer Shurl Montgomery, community leaders and Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF) officials celebrated the recent ribbon cutting at the 40-unit Village Gardens, a three-story senior apartment community on West 39th St. in Lamberts Point. Village Gardens is a cooperative venture between NRHA and RHF of Long Beach, Calif. The complex is financed through a HUD 202 grant and design enhancement funding from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
Grandy Village Learning Center Certified as First LEED Gold Structure in Norfolk
NRHA’s Grandy Village Learning Center (GVLC) was recently certified with a “Gold” designation by the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, making it the first building so designated in Norfolk. The 15,000 square foot, $4.1 million GVLC, which opened in 2010, is 30-40% more energy efficient than conventional buildings. The GVLC, located at 2971 Kimball Loop, showcases state-of-the-art environmental design, wetlands reclamation as well as aquatic education and recreation on the Elizabeth River. To achieve LEED Gold standing, NRHA and its partners concentrated on meeting standards critical for certification:
• The prevention of construction activity pollution and material waste through the purchase of local and regional building materials, and recycling • L ocating the building near public transportation, and providing reserved parking for fuel-efficient vehicles • M aximizing natural light and utilizing lighting control; installing solar and geothermal heating systems tilizing efficient landscaping plumbing fixtures • U stablishing controls for indoor air quality and monitoring • E During construction, approximately 70% of building materials were recycled. Structural insulated panels and four inches of expanded foam were used, and double-glazed low-E windows were installed, all in order to lower heating and cooling costs. Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints were used to further insure a healthy interior environment. Above: Ed Begley Jr. congratulates Paul Cramer, energy system engineering manager; and Rusty Carlock, senior architect; for achieving the first LEED Gold building in Norfolk, for the Grandy Village Learning Center. Begley, a noted Hollywood star, is also one of the nation’s leading environmental advocates. The actor was in town to keynote the Old Dominion University “Engineering Unplugged” conference.
New Construction Update:
Lambert’s Point Townhomes Construction of 14 new EarthCraft townhomes at Lambert’s Point is anticipated this summer. The two- and three-bedroom contemporary-style townhomes, all with private garages at rear, will feature high-quality interiors, two master suites and EarthCraft certification (www.ecvirginia.org). Price points range from $175,000 to $215,000, likely the best townhome value in Hampton Roads, where new townhomes average $264,000. The neighborhood is conveniently located, within walking distance to Old Dominion University, and the Ghent commercial district. It is also just a short drive into Downtown Norfolk and Naval Station Norfolk. The sales center is open weekends from 12-3 p.m. Call Bobby Howerin at 757-477-6536 for an appointment. Buyer’s real estate agent receives 3% commission. To see if you qualify for up to $30,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, call the HomeNet Homeownership Center at 757-314-4202.
Follow the progress of Coastal Living Magazine’s Ultimate Beach House Now Under Construction in Norfolk’s East Beach Community Construction of Coastal Living’s 2011 Ultimate Beach House in Norfolk’s East Beach community broke ground in early 2011, and construction is now well underway. This year for the first time ever, members of Coastal Living’s building team will be publishing updates and behind the scenes photographs of the featured “Idea House” in progress via blog postings on the publications Website. They are encouraging East Beach residents and others to post updates and their impressions of the project as it moves along, as well. According to the first blog posting on March 21, the construction seems to be moving along nicely, despite the harsh late winter weather that the Hampton Roads’ region experienced. According to Angela Smith of East Beach Company, “Construction on the 2011 Coastal Living House began soon after the 2010 holidays. The first two floors of the house were framed, showing off what will soon be stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay through living room windows.” The home is scheduled to be finished in the fall of this year, in plenty of time for its featured debut in Coastal Living Magazine. The magazine urges East Beach residents to follow the construction progress and contribute updates and comments on the publications’ blog. Go to: http://dailycatch.coastalliving.com/behind-the-scenes/. * NRHA has been the shepherd of East Beach, guiding it through planning studies, assembling the land and removing 1,600 blighted structures, as well as securing the East Beach Company to make it a reality.
Norfolk’s East Beach Community Recipient of Award for New Urbanism Norfolk’s East Beach Community is the recipient of the 2011 Charter Award, presented annually by the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU). CNU is the leading organization promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions. The Charter Award recognizes those communities which best respond to Charter principles. East Beach was one of two communities to be recognized in the category of outstanding Neighborhood, District and Corridor. Judges noted the community’s unique and imaginative architectural design concept; the tremendous attention to green and public spaces; and the “nearly imperceptible transition of the streetscapes from the rural casualness of the beachfront streets, to the urban formality of the marina district,” which all work together to enhance the walkability of the integrated network of streets.” To learn more about CNU, and to see a complete list of this year’s recipients in other categories, visit http://www.cnu.org/awards.
The HomeNet program, a partnership between NRHA, local lending institutions, housing developers, real estate firms, financial counselors as well as local, state and federal housing agencies, serves as a housing resource center, linking families to the many housing choices in Norfolk, as well as to the resources needed to make their dream home a reality. The mission of the HomeNet Homeownership Center is to demystify the home buying process and empower participants to make informed decisions during the often complex home buying process. The program includes credit and purchase counseling, a VHDA-approved first-time home buyer education class, qualified lenders, realtors and attorneys and SPARC interest rate discount. For more information, call 757-314-4202.
Vision Quality housing choices in neighborhoods where you want to live.
NRHA Board of Commissioners W. Sheppard Miller, III - Chairman Bob Layton - Vice-chairman Hattie Anderson F. Nash Bilisoly Barbara Hamm Lee Trevor Robinson Robert Soble
Mission Provide quality housing opportunities that foster sustainable mixed-income communities.
About NRHA: Founded in 1940, NRHA 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. If an accommodation is needed, please give NRHA at least seven to ten days advance notice to meet your needs. Requests for additional information regarding 504/ADA should be forwarded to Ms. Erica Alston, 504 Coordinator at 201 Granby St. Norfolk, VA 23510, 757-623-1111. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (M-F), TDD: 800-545-1833. Published by NRHA Communications and Marketing Department 757-314-1645
www.nrha.us