Proposals submitted for Suffolk project

By Hattie Brown Garrow
The Virginian-Pilot
© February 4, 2009

SUFFOLK

Three companies have submitted proposals for the city on its downtown redevelopment project known as The Fairgrounds.

The next step is for the bids to be sent to city staff for evaluation, said Budget Officer Anne Seward. By mid-February, they will likely have a recommendation for the City Council, she said.

Plans for The Fairgrounds call for a mixed-use development that includes 129 single- and multifamily homes, about half of which would be considered affordable housing. The development, estimated to cost about $17.3 million, is slated to encompass 17 acres near the intersection of East Washington and Culloden streets.

The city wants a private developer to build about 73 of the housing units on 5.5 acres over the next two to three years.

Almost all the land for the project has been acquired by the city and the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, said Bob Goumas, comprehensive planning manager.

"We're anxious and excited to see the project move forward," Goumas said.

The bids, which were due to the city last week, are from:

- Associated Contracting Services, a Portsmouth-based company that specializes in new urban development and works primarily with housing authorities.

- Community Housing Partners, a Christiansburg-based community development corporation that builds affordable housing.

- Powell Development, a real estate developer from Virginia Beach.

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I just don't get it. I can

Submitted by jimjones on Wed, 02/04/2009 at 9:31 am.

I just don't get it. I can understand a city building "public housing" for folks who simply cannot, for whatever reason, afford to put a roof over their heads. If they are trying hard to help themselves and need some help, I feel obligated to lend a hand. OTOH, "affordable housing" is something completely different. Nobody is entitled to own a home though everyone has a right to buy one if they can. If they cannot, then they must rent. Part of the reason there are few cheap rentals is that the government keeps interfering with the rental market by subsidizing housing and eliminating what little profit margin there is to affordable rental housing. As a business, you cannot compete with HUD or VHDA. The more gov tries to help, the more they HAVE to help.

Agree with Redskin44.

Submitted by moose on Wed, 02/04/2009 at 6:34 am.

I've always felt the city has NO business in bussiness. If it were a need for this housing, the private sector would provide it. The cities being in RDH is like putting the horse before the cart. It is not the city governments purpose to buy land and hold it or "re-develope" it. The city governments only funtion should be making sure that restrictions are adhired to and that building codes are followed. Instead, we have city government involved in the design, planning, contracting and building of development using OUR tax dollars to do so. I'm TAXED OUT and can't afford anymore of the city's expensive development projects on OUR dime.

Taking your chances

Submitted by Redskin44 on Wed, 02/04/2009 at 12:10 am.

The best case scenerio is for the market to dictate the need and right now there is close to none! Force this project through and you will have a disaster. Look at the affordable housing projects around Tidewater, especially off of Ballentine (Homearama). The only thing affordable housing and RHA projects support are Walmart and mediocrity. The truth hurts. Let the market dictate the need. Talk to local landlords who have vacancies in the $600 to $1,000 range; vacancy is at an all-time high. Suffolk officials; look at the condos on W. Washington. Case closed.