The Virginian-Pilot
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NORFOLK
The city's redevelopment and housing authority took its first steps Monday toward building as many as 100 apartments for moderate- and low-income residents.
If they receive city and environmental approval, the apartments - 40 aimed at senior citizens and 40 to 60 aimed at families - would be built next to two existing apartment communities owned by the housing authority.
The senior housing would be built on an empty lot next to the Robert Partrea Midrise apartments on Easy Street just off Tidewater Drive, said Steve Morales, the authority's director of neighborhood planning. Construction would be funded by the sale of low-income tax credits, and r enters would have to meet income requirements.
The tax credits also would be used to build as many as 60 apartments at Oakmont North, a privately managed complex off Military Highway and Johnstons Road.
The city owns a large open space in the middle of Oakmont, Morales said. The field is a place for community gatherings, but it is inaccessible to cars and doesn't have recreational amenities, he said.
Morales said new apartments would reduce crime and allow the authority to create a park there.
"It's an opportunity to allow us to work with the city, work with the community," he said. "To address the open space and bring in some more modern units."
The housing authority's board voted to create a limited liability company to sell the tax credits if the project goes forward.
Morales said work on the Partrea expansion is further along and that if wetlands and soil testing goes well, the authority will seek city approval this year. The Oakmont expansion would begin in 2012.
Meghan Hoyer, (757) 446-2293, meghan.hoyer@pilotonline.com
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"THE PROJECTS"
I don’t think there is no set living environment for crime to occur. It happens in Mayberry as well as the projects. With the economy in the state it’s in now believe that those who were fortunate to live in a decent house have had to revert to less meager accommodations like a housing development in order to survive. It’s true that building the housing development may increase crime but it won’t stop crime. Our history of crime dates back before time. The only thing that has changed is the date when the crime occurred.
Throwing the little birdies a crumb.
Here Mrs Johnson, heres a free house. If you ever go to work, we will take it back from you. Thats incentive. Incentive to keep poor people poor and sucking on the govt udder forever. Housing should be short term, not for life,
Can we build them in
Can we build them in Portsmouth? I for one am sick of "low income" housing continuing to destroy Norfolk. Perhaps if people actually had to pay their own way in this world, they would stop doing drugs, having sex, and popping out kids and actually get a job! Then they could afford a decent apartment and contribute taxes to the city.
Whats good MMC this is ENC
I totally agree.
Huh?
"Morales said new apartments would reduce crime"
Yes because all low-income housing units help reduce crime. This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. If you haven't noticed the city has lots of low-income housing already. Norfolk, please stop building apartment complexes, work on bring business to the city instead of pushing them out. Please promptly finish construction on Cromwell, on Lightrail, etc. Stop spending my taxpayer money on gum removal machines, plastic bags for dogs that have irresponsible owners, and Ipads for city council.
100 apartments
It would be nice if editors proofread these articles before posting them online......
Besides that, I hope they tear down the low-income housing east of St. Pauls and expand downtown after these are built.