Demolition underway at South First Street CRHA properties to clear way for 113 townhomes for low-income households

For weeks, several buildings at the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s location on South First Street have been vacant with residents of 58 units moved to other places in the agency’s portfolio. 

This week, demolition of the structures has begun.

“Day one went well with demolition of building 912,” said Brandon Collins, the CRHA’s redevelopment coordinator. “We had key resident leaders on hand to witness the first steps of demolition and to reflect on the historic moment and the past.”

The apartments opened up in 1981 and a decision was made to replace them with 113 townhouses rather than renovate. This is the second phase at the site with the first consisting of 62 new apartments in three buildings. 

The impending demolition was announced in Collins’ monthly report to the CRHA Board of Commissioners.

“Residents continue to meet monthly and have been discussing services and working towards re-convening meetings with architects to solidify interior design schemes and begin planning uses for outdoor spaces,” reads the report.

Collins said it will take about four to six weeks for the old structures to come down and the materials to be hauled away.

“We anticipate construction to begin in early fall,” Collins said. “We hope to announce contractors and a start date within the next few weeks.”

The redevelopment report also states that the renovation of Crescent Halls is nearly complete and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned. However, the report acknowledges issues with elevators. 

CRHA is also planning on redevelopment of the Sixth Street site which will also see preparation for demolition of some existing units this summer, though the report also notes there may be a delay before the buildings actually come down. 

“CRHA has taken steps to make sure that at least 6 Public Housing units are replaced in the 47-unit apartment building,” the report continues. 

Plans for a second phase at Sixth Street have had to be altered due to changes in the city’s zoning code. 

“Residents recently agreed with the minor changes to the plan and are excited to work with Grimm and Parker on the full design of the site which will include townhomes and a small apartment building,” the report goes on. 

Financing of all of these projects involves many levels and layers with one being the selling of tax credits to investors. The next cycle for Low Income Housing Tax Credits in Virginia has a deadline of next spring. 

The biggest single redevelopment project for CRHA will be at Westhaven. CRHA has hired several firms to help with design including Arnold Design Studio, Brick and Story, New Ecology, and Water Street Studio. More on Westhaven in the next edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. 

The CRHA Board will hold a joint meeting with City Council tonight at 6 p.m. tomorrow night for a discussion of redevelopment and the agency’s strategic plan.

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the June 24, 2024 edition of the newsletter but was updated with additional reporting on June 25. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.