(RICHMOND, VA) -- The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Gateway 6th District, today expressed her pleasure at the progress of the revitalization of Dove Street, in Richmond’s Gateway 6th District regarding the movement forward of a $35 million project with the recent approval by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) Board of Commissioners of a development partner (Crosland, LLC) and subsequent master developer agreement for the Dove Street redevelopment.
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
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COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
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Monday, 25 October 2010
Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson thrilled with progress of Dove Street redevelopment
RRHA moves $35 million project forward with approval of Dove Street Revitalization Development Partner
(RICHMOND, VA) -- The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Gateway 6th District, today expressed her pleasure at the progress of the revitalization of Dove Street, in Richmond’s Gateway 6th District regarding the movement forward of a $35 million project with the recent approval by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) Board of Commissioners of a development partner (Crosland, LLC) and subsequent master developer agreement for the Dove Street redevelopment.
“My commitment to the North Richmond community is to keep them engaged throughout this development,” says Councilwoman Robertson. “Families dislocated by demolition will be helped with relocation and employment assistance.”
Once the location of Dove Court, a public housing complex, operated by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA), plans for the area include building new mixed-income rental and for-sale housing on the former Dove Court site and the site of the former Carrington Gardens-Northridge Apartments. It will also include redevelopment of a former Virginia Army National Guard Armory building located there and the creation of for-sale housing.
Councilwoman Robertson has planned for this community project to coincide with the reclamation of the Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway, a 1.4 mile heavily-wooded ravine which is part of the area and adjacent to Richmond-Henrico Turnpike between Valley Road and Craigie Avenue. This project has been moving forward and her plan for this green space is for it to be transformed into a modern family-oriented park that includes biking, hiking and pedestrian trails. Once completed, the Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway may also be linked to the United States of America East Coast Greenway, which is being built in sections from Main to Florida, and to the Virginia Capital Trail that would link Richmond to Williamsburg and Jamestown.
A strong community development advocate and retired community and housing development professional, Councilwoman Robertson has been working closely with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) since 2006 on plans for the project, which were formalized in 2007. According to plan, the Dove Court public housing complex was torn down in 2008.
“Contractors of all classifications - from material suppliers, professional skills, construction to property management - will be sought out to help rebuild this neighborhood,” says Councilwoman Robertson. “Community residents are encouraged to take advantage of the jobs that will be created on these projects. Crosland has committed to us that both Section 3 and Minority Business Enterprise participation will be a cornerstone of the development success.”
Councilwoman Robertson has led, hosted, assisted and attended dozens of neighborhood and community meeting over the years on behalf of the redevelopment of the Dove Street area.
Representing a project area of approximately 50 acres, the site is located between the Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and 1st Avenue and adjacent to the Barton Heights, Green Park and Highland Park neighborhoods, encompasses the site of the former Dove Court public housing development, the site of the former Carrington Gardens/Northridge Apartments, the Dove Street Park, the Virginia National Guard Armory site, private property acquired by RRHA northwest of the Amory and the Overby Sheppard Elementary School.
The Dove Street Revitalization plan, which is slated for launch of construction in the spring of 2012 and completion in 2015, will be implemented in five phases:
• Phase 1: [July 2010 – October 2013; Projected construction start date is April 2012] Development of mixed-income rental and for-sale housing on former Carrington Gardens-Northridge apartments site and former Dove Court public housing site.
• Phase 2: [January 2011 – September 2013; Projected construction start date is March 2012] Development of a new Overby-Sheppard Elementary School with park facilities on existing school site.
• Phase 3: [January 2011 – October 2014; Projected construction start date is April 2013] Development of rental and for-sale housing on former National Guard Armory site.
• Phase 4: [January 2014 – October 2014; Projected construction start date is March 2014] Development of for-sale housing on Dove Park site.
• Phase 5: [August 2014 – June 2015; Projected construction start date is October 2014] Development of for-sale housing adjacent to Green Park neighborhood.
Plans for the Dove Street redevelopment are to create 311 affordable rental, affordable home ownership, and market-rate home ownership units. The project is expected to create an integrated, mixed-income community filled with increased educational, economic, and recreational resources for RRHA families and community members. RRHA and Crosland plan to develop 60 units of rental housing affordable to households with incomes at or below 30 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).
CONTACT For more information, please contact The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Gateway 6th District, at 804.646.7964 (office) or ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com; lynne.lancaster@richmondgov.com; www.ellenrobertson.com (website)
AND
Osita Iroegbu
Community Relations and Marketing Manager
Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA)
Community Relations and Marketing Office
804.780.4936 (tel); osita.iroegbu@rrha.com (email)
BACKGROUND - Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA)
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority is a quasi-government agency that provides affordable housing and community development. RRHA is the largest housing authority in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Authority serves nearly 10,000 residents and manages nearly 4,000 units through its Public Housing Program; provides subsidized housing assistance to approximately 3,000 families through its Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program; and, manages neighborhood redevelopment and conservation programs throughout the City of Richmond.
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Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
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Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
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804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
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MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.
VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
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