Agenda 02/13/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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in order to ease two-way traffic flow. This widening will involve the acquisition of four lots along the western side of Cherry Street Extension in order to get the necessary easement. Two lots have improvements that will also be acquired and cleared, one lot has improvements that do not require clearance, and the remaining fourth lot is vacant. Finally, all streets will be repaved. Habitat for Humanity and Southside Community Outreach Services have both expressed an interest to participate with infill affordable housing production in the neighborhood. The plan is to acquire property along the western end of Cherry Street and donate it to these two organizations under the condition that they building affordable units on the property within two years. Down payment assistance will also be provided to all home buyers in order to increase..affordability of the units. Negotiations with American Standard Building Systems and several other local contractors are underway to provide for the construction of these housing units. Given the sheer volume of project activities and limited funding available from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Cherry Street Neighborhood Improvement Project will be divided into two phases. Phase I will cover all of Cherry Street, Cherry Street Extension, Geter Street, and all housing units east of the Alpha Apostolic Temple Church on Jordan Street and the "T" turnaround. Phase II will cover the remaining housing units on Jordan Street west ofthe Church and all of Boden Street. Project activities associated with Phase II are subject to change and may include additions such as infill affordable housing production and the construction of a fence on the western side of Boden Street near the intersection with Jordan Street in order to reduce unsightly views from an adjacent automobile workshop. Both Phases will include a request for $1.4 million from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. This money will cover all of the housing rehabilitation and housing production activities. The City will pay for all infrastructure improvements in both Phases. The estimated cost for all infrastructure improvements is $430,000. Phase I will cost about $34$,000 while Phase II will cost $85,000. The City of Martinsville intends to install all improvements to both Phases over the course of the two grants. Work is anticipated to .cover approximately4 years. The first Community Improvement Grant Application will be submitted on March 21 S\ 2007. It is estimated that this project will take approximately two to two and a half years to complete. Once Phase I is near completion, the City will apply for a second Community Improvement Grant, which will most likely be submitted in March of 20 10.