[Archived] City Council Approves Two New Affordable Housing Projects for Seniors

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

For Immediate Release
January 28, 2005
PIO 028-05/bg

City Council Approves Two New
Affordable Housing Projects for Seniors

Two recent actions by the Alexandria City Council will improve affordable housing in Alexandria - which was listed as one of Alexandria’s “unmet needs” in a recent survey, and as a top priority in the City Council’s Strategic Plan.

In December, the City Council unanimously approved construction of a new eight-unit apartment building for low income senior citizens at 1323 Duke St. Known as the Beasley Square Project, this residential development will include the renovation of an 1890's two-story townhouse and construction of a three-story addition. Beasley Square will be developed by Harambee Community and Economic Development Corporation, a non-profit group created to provide affordable housing. The project still requires further approval by the Board of Architectural Review and action on financing.

“The Council is very pleased to approve the Beasely Square Project,” said Mayor William Euille. “While this project will provide some much needed senior affordable housing, it will also preserve a building with African-American and Civil War history,” he said.

On Jan. 25, the City Council approved spending up to $1.07 million to pay for improvements to a 27-year old highrise apartment for low income senior citizens. The Council unanimously approved using Community Development Block Grant funds to upgrade the Ladrey Senior Highrise, located at 300 Wythe St. The 170-unit building is owned by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Improvements planned will include replacing heating and air conditioning convectors in apartment units and common areas; replacing kitchen cabinets, replacing fire doors and flooring, and painting apartments and common areas.

“These two projects are significant and show that Alexandria is a caring community,” said Mayor Euille, “Residents identified affordable housing as an unmet need in last years’s survey and affordable housing is a top priority in the City Council’s Strategic Plan,” he said.