Crozet community members express concerns about proposed apartment complex

(RECAP: Several members of the Crozet community expressed concerns at a recent meeting of the Crozet Community Advisory Council about a proposed downtown apartment complex off Blue Ridge Avenue. The initial site development plot for The Vue calls for the construction of nine two-tale buildings with 14 apartments in each building — a total of 126 units. Other aspects of the plot include a one-tale clubhouse and a pool with a concrete deck. One member of the Albemarle County Plotting Commission said that while Crozet needs more apartments, she feels the proposed development would not fit with the surrounding neighborhood.)

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Golden Hammers awarded for best revitalization projects in Richmond

(RECAP: Four projects ranging from the restoration of a 19th century building in Church Hill to a newly built urban house in Jackson Ward won Golden Hammer Awards on Wednesday night from the Better Housing Coalition, a nonprofit affordable housing developer. The ceremony recognized some of 2015’s best neighborhood revitalization projects in the Richmond area. It also recognized leadership in building vibrant communities through Better Housing’s Groundbreaker Awards. The event was held in a tent behind a structure built in Church Hill in 1923 by the Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union. The Colonial Revival building — formerly called the Citadel of Hope — will be converted into 52 apartments by the Better Housing Coalition. Construction is expected to start in early 2017.)

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Council backs loan to developer

(RECAP: A high-profile redevelopment project considered key to upgrading the city’s Interstate 95 gateway took a step forward last week as a divided City Council voted to apply for a federal loan on behalf of the developer. Michelle B. Peters, the city’s director of plotting, questioned council for permission to file an application for a loan of up to $2 million from HUD to help support C.A. Harrison Cos. LLC’s redevelopment of the former Ramada Inn at 380 E. Washington St. Peters clarified that the loan under HUD’s Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program would leverage the city’s Community Development Block Grant to help finance the plotted $20 million-$25 million project. The developer would repay the loan, which would not cost the city any money.)

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