Two different non-profit groups have been selected by the University of Virginia to develop two parcels of land that will be donated by the institution or its real estate foundation for the purposes of affordable housing.
The Piedmont Housing Alliance will develop the Piedmont site off of Fontaine Avenue. That’s a 12 acre site that is currently home to low-density apartments to University faculty and staff.
“We are excited to partner with UVA on the Piedmont site,” said Sunshine Mathon, executive director of the Piedmont Housing Alliance. “Although negotiations and site diligence are still underway, our goal is to develop a sensitive, thoughtful plan to respect the history of the site while creating much-needed affordable housing for our community.”
The Preservation of Affordable Housing will develop a two-acre site at 10th and Wertland. The Boston-based organization has worked on projects in 11 states and the District of Columbia, according to their website.
“We are excited to partner with the University of Virginia (UVA) to support the development of affordable housing units at the Wertland & 10th St site in the City,” said Meena Jacob, Vice President, Real Estate Development, Preservation of Affordable Housing. “Our team is inspired by the activism and energy of the community’s advocacy around this issue.”
Jacob said that her firm is also in the due diligence and negotiation process with the University of Virginia Foundation.
“We are committed to delivering a catalytic, community-focused high quality project,” Jacob said.
Both groups were among five asked to submit proposals earlier this year.“
The partnership terms will hold the developers accountable for creating high quality developments that will be affordable and well maintained for the long term,” reads the July 7 announcement on the website for the President’s Council on UVA-Community Partnerships.
The website goes on to state that construction would not likely start until 2025 at the earliest. A third site will be developed at the North Fork Discovery Park but a request for proposals for that site won’t be released until a rezoning with Albemarle County is completed.
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