Minutes 12/10/1974 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. P. Stockton Fleming: Mr. Wentz: will permit a more leisurely development of the Community Development applications for 1976." "In keeping with state law requirements, we are also utilizing this meeting to hear your views on plans for four redevelopment projects which comprise the majo~ portion of the proposed community development program. The four areas included are two new projects in the New Town community which we have labeled Southside I and Southside II at the present time, as well as a major amendment to the existing Park View Conserv- ation and Redevelopment plan and a minor adjustment in the Northside Project. I will briefly describe the Southside plans and these amendatories to our existing projects. 1. Southside I Redevelopment Area: This area is located east of the existing Effing- ham Project and is bounded on the west by Seventh Street, on the south by Edwards Street, on the east by Fifth and Sixth Streets, and on the north by Lincoln Street. This 15 acre area is badly blighted and in need of extensive redevelopment treatment. It contains 66 parcels, 57% of which are vacant at the present time. Land assembled through clearance and the acquisition of vacant parcels in scattered ownership will be utilized for the construction of low and moderate income housing primarily to serve as relocation resources for the persons displaced by activities in the New Town area. A variety.of housing types will be permitted under the plan including town- houses, single family detached or garden apartment units. 2. Southside II Redevelopment Area: This area is located directly south of the Craw- ford Connector and bounded on the west by Washington Street, on the south by Harrison and Wythe Streets, and on the east by Crawford Street. Proposed treatment in this 29 acre area will provide for the elimination of a number of blighted structures and the assemblage of a significant amount of vacant property currently in scattered ownership for the development of commercial and light industrial reuses. In conjunc- tion with the Community Development Program, the City of Portsmouth will undertake the installation of a major drainage line in the area which is a prerequisite to any rebuilding efforts ~n the Newtown, Southside and Brighton areas. Engineering studies of the area are currently being undertaken to design the most feasible route for this line from a development and economic standpoint and in this connection the exhibit here tonight updates the map previously appearing in the newspaper. It is anticipated that proposed new development in this area, which is served by an existing rail line and is ideally suited from a transportation standpoint, will significantly enhance the local tax base and provide employment and training opportunities for community residents. 3. Major Amendatory - Park View Conservation and Redevelopment Plan: In conjunction with the proposed expansion of the program in the Park View Project, certain sections of the area now designated for conservation are being redesignated for redevelopment treatment. The land assembled through the clearance of deteriorated structures in these areas will be combined with several small parcels now in the Northside Project and utilized for new housing construction. These efforts will be combined with concentrated rehabilitation activities in sound areas which will be undertaken by the Redevelopment Authority. It is hoped that these activities which have been en- dorsed by the Park View Project Area Committee will generate private rehabilitation work and facilitate the upgrading of the project area. 4. Am~ndatory - Northside Redevelopment Plan: In connection with the designation of additional redevelopment areas in the Park View Project, several unmarketable jib parcels have been excluded from the Northside plan. These parcels will be added to the areas being made available for new housing construction in the Park View Project. This technical adjustment should benefit the redevelopment programs in both of these project areas. In connection with the physical components of the community development program, a comprehensive human services effort will be undertaken in the proposed action areas in order to facilitate the improvement of these neighborhoods both from a physical and a social standpoint. A task force comprised of representatives of City human services agencies is currently developing programs to insure the coordination of these activities. The first year community development program also calls for the utilization of community development funds for activities related to maximizing underdeveloped and inappropriately developed property in the City. Finally, the community development program will provide for the continuance of a local rehabilitation loan program in connection with ongoing conservation efforts in the Olde Towne, Park View, Mount Hermon and Effingham Projects. With the sporadic funding and virtual cessation of the Federal Section 312 Rehabilitation Loan Program in 1972, the Redevelopment Authority instituted a local financial alternative in order to continue the rehabilitation effort in the existing conservation areas. Current interest rates, however, will not permit the continuance of thi~ program at an affordable rate to residents without the utilization of community development funds~ This program is currently being refined and it is hoped that the same local banks as well as the Virginia Housing Development Authority will assist us in this endeavor. I will now turn the meeting over to Mr. Wentz, who will open the hearing for comments. "I thank you Mr. Fleming. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd also like to recognize the presence here of the Executive Director of the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Mr. Bart Frye and the Director of Planning for the City of Portsmouth, Mr. J. Brewer Moore. Now of course on behalf of the Council I'd also like to recog~ nize the presence of the City Manager, Mr. Phin Horton. It was under Mr. Phin Horton that it was able to coordinate the activities of the Housing Authority and the City agencies to come up with this plan, providing the special=expertise that was required to evolve such an endeavor. The Council has stressed, the Housing Authority has stressed, the Planning Commission has stressed, that the key thing in this is the citizen input to such a plan. Hence the purpose of this public meeting. So what you have to say here tonight will have a direct effect, will be carefully