For the second time in a month, Charlottesville City Council has voted to re-enter into an agreement with the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority that had lapsed.
Council has previously agreed to contribute a total of $6 million for the redevelopment of a portion of properties at both South First Street and Sixth Street. The terms required CRHA to begin construction by December 1, 2024 but that did not happen in either case. Additionally, CRHA did not even ask for an extension, nullifying the agreement.
On March 17, Charlottesville’s housing program manager Antoine Williams said language has been added to require CRHA to provide more communication with the city.
“Reauthorization of this funding adjusted timeline is that financial closing deadline is no later than July 31,” Williams said. “Construction commencement is July 31 and then construction completion is subject to July 31, 2027.”
Williams said that CRHA can ask for an extension but it has to be in writing and 30 days in advance.
City Councilor Michael Payne is on the CRHA Board of Commissioners and said the deadlines are a crucial part of the process. The $6 million from the city comes from the capital improvement program and comes from the sale of bonds.
“These deadlines exist so we can have access to tax exempt bonds, which is more affordable for the city, which means we have capacity to invest in more affordable housing projects,” Payne said. “So this is very important to actually meet these deadlines. This is not just an arbitrary city decision.”
Council once again waived a requirement for a second reading with a meeting to suspend their rules. Williams said that would allow CRHA to help make the deadlines. On March 4, Council agreed to a new agreement with CRHA related to the second phase of the South First Street development.
Learn more about the Sixth Street development on the CRHA website.
Before you go: This is a story that originally went out in the March 24, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement.
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