The Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Brian T. Kenner, issues the following open letter to Park Morton and Bruce Monroe community residents and stakeholders regarding the Park Morton redevelopment: PARK MORTON OPEN LETTER FROM DEPUTY MAYOR KENNER.
The District of Columbia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners selected Park View Community Partners to be the team to lead redevelopment of Park Morton apartments. Park View Community Partners is comprised of The Community Builders, Inc.; Dantes Partners, LLC; Torti Gallas Urban; Harkins Builders, Inc.; and Klein Hornig, LLP.
“This redevelopment team was chosen based on several factors, including their capacity to complete the work and how they treat our customers,” said Chairman Pedro Alfonso.
There will be one-for-one unit replacement at Park Morton.
“Park View Community Partners’ proposal shares DCHA’s commitment to both affordable housing and community building,” said Adrianne Todman, DCHA executive director. “This is complex work that requires an experienced and knowledgeable partner.”
Park Morton is one of four neighborhoods identified as part as the New Communities Initiative. DCHA is working in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to complete this redevelopment project.
“The selection of a developer for Park Morton allows us to continue the momentum of revitalizing the neighborhood through our New Communities Initiative,” said Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “I thank the Housing Authority for selecting a team that will help us transform this area into a thriving community.”
Park Morton, a community comprised of 12 three-story buildings, currently sits on 3.66 acres. It is roughly bounded by Park Road, Warder Road, Lamont Street, and Georgia Avenue in Northwest.
The Request for Proposal required that developers propose a mixed-income community, with a variety of townhouses and high-occupancy buildings for all incomes, to ensure the neighborhood’s long-term viability.
The selection panel chose Park View Community Partners based on their qualifications and experience; development vision and approach; financial plans; women and minority certified business enterprise connections; offers and considerations to DCHA; and the off-site housing proposal.
The New Communities Initiative (NCI) is a comprehensive public-private partnership that began in 2005 and aims to address the physical and human architecture of neighborhoods troubled by concentrations of poverty, unemployment, blight, and the deterioration of the housing stock. Financed through the Housing Production Trust Fund, which is operated by the DMPED, NCI is designed to spur the renewal of both the physical and social conditions of designated communities in the District.
Earlier this year, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development commissioned a team of affordable housing experts, led by Quadel Consulting, to examine the New Communities Initiative (NCI) and make recommendations to enhance the program. The final report provides analysis on key lessons learned since the development of NCI, as well as the challenges, opportunities, and solutions to facilitate successful implementation.
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) invites the submission of applications for the Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants beginning on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th, 2014. DMPED will award individual grants of up to a maximum of $85,000 for small business owners to improve their place of business. The grant application will be available on the Great Streets website at greatstreets.dc.gov beginning on September 9th.
The Great Streets Initiative began in 2006, the same time the New Communities Initiative was established by former Mayor Anthony Williams. Great Streets is a commercial revitalization initiative to transform emerging corridors throughout the District of Columbia into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers. Three New Communities neighborhoods are located near a Great Streets Corridor:
The DC Housing Authority (DCHA) and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) received four responses to the Park Morton Request for Proposals (RFP) for a master developer. DCHA and DMPED will be working together on the redevelopment and expect to select a development team by the end of 2014. CLICK HERE to read the full press release.
The New Communities website now features interactive maps for each of the four NCI neighborhoods. Viewers can select maps for each neighborhood, which include separate categories that highlight the existing housing in the neighborhood, redevelopment to date, public amenities that have been created through NCI, and plans for future development activity. Links for each neighborhood can be found on the homepage, as well as each neighborhood page, and can also be accessed here:
The DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development is pleased to share with you its 2014 Annual Report for New Communities. The Annual Report provides an overview and background on the Initiative, and highlights overall progress to date. Additionally, the report provides project updates on each of the four neighborhoods, and offers a preview for the year ahead.
New Communities seeks to create vibrant mixed-income neighborhoods that address both the physical architecture and human capital needs, where residents have quality affordable housing options, economic opportunities and access to appropriate human services. To date, the Initiative has produced over 1,000 new housing units with an investment of gap financing of over $66million, created over 250 new jobs, and served over 500 heads of households through case managementservice annually. The Initiaitve has also produced new community anchors, such as the new HD Woodson High School in Lincoln Heights, or the new flagship Recreation Center under construction in Barry Farm. This past year, New Communities has seen much progress, with the continued build out of Sheridan Station in Barry Farm, the construction of SeVerna Phase II and 2 M Street in Northwest One, and the successful opening and leasing up of the Nannie Helen at 4800 in Lincoln Heights.
Rendering from the Park Morton Revitalization Plan
On Monday, the DC Housing Authority “(DCHA)” in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development “(DMPED)” released a REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS for qualified planning and development teams for the redevelopment of the Park Morton public housing site in Ward 1. There will be a pre-proposal conference on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014, at 2:00pm at the DC Housing Authority (1133 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300). The deadline to submit questions is Wednesday, April 30th, 2014, and final responses are due on Tuesday, July 1, 2014.
The Park Morton community is located in Ward 1, proximate to the Georgia Avenue corridor, Petworth and Park View neighborhoods. The community is located within one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the District with a legacy of being a center of African-American commerce and activity. Ward 1 has been impacted by significant increases in residential development and an influx of new households into the community. Between 2000 and 2005, over 2,000 housing units were built in the ward and 1,500 additional units were under construction or in the pipeline. Despite this rapid growth, there remain several pockets of concentrated poverty where residents lack quality, affordable housing, supportive services, and access to quality open space, healthcare, and recreation.
The Park Morton site comprises of 174 two-bedroom units on approximately 3.66 acres and is currently improved with 12 three-story, walk-up buildings. Each walk-up building consists of 12-13 units. The first phase of the Redevelopment Plan began with 27 units of replacement public housing located at The Avenue on Georgia Avenue. Click here to read more about the Park Morton redevelopment plan.
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development has selected Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU) to provide comprehensive case management to Park Morton residents under the New Communities Initiative. The New Communities Initiative redevelopment plan includes a human capital plan to help residents achieve self-sufficiency. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development issues grants to service providers through a competitive Request for Applications process. HOU was selected by a review panel that included District staff and residents.
Housing Opportunities Unlimited, the New Communities case management provider for the Park Morton neighborhood, sponsored its annual Back-to-School and Resource Fair at Park Morton. Over 75 attendees enjoyed inflatable activities and games. Children and youth received backpacks, complete with folders, notebooks, pens, pencils and other needed supplies for school. Food was provided and local talent performed. In exchange for school supplies, attendees were required to spend a few minutes at booths offering information on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Children and youth were also offered free dental screenings.