Virginia Community Lands $30M Grant
The federal funds will go toward redeveloping the 256-unit Ridley Place public housing and the surrounding neighborhood. Pennrose is the master developer of the project.
Rendering of Ridley Place. Image courtesy of WRT
The City of Newport News, Va., and the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority have received a $30 million grant from HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program. The funds will be used to redevelop the Marshall-Ridley area in the Southeast Community neighborhood, including Ridley Place, a 256-unit public housing site. WRT serves as architect of the project and Pennrose as master developer.
(Last November, HUD granted $30 million through the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative to the City of Pittsburgh.)
Spanning across roughly 18 acres, the 38 buildings are close to a bus line, providing easy access to shopping, schools, churches and banks. Ridley Place features one- to four-bedroom townhouse units, which are set to become mixed-income housing.
Redevelopment plans call for significant upgrades at the property, but also the construction of a green corridor with walking trails, as well as community gardens and recreational spaces. Additionally, the developer intends to bring infrastructure improvements to the surrounding neighborhood to improve walkability and safety.
HUD also awarded $30 million to the City of Norfolk, Va., and $25 million to the City of Omaha, Neb. The funds will also be used to redevelop severely distressed public or assisted housing and to revitalize surrounding neighborhoods.
