Claiborne Square Offers High-Quality, Affordable Housing for Seniors in Halifax

General Public Invited for Ceremony, Tours and Reception

Petersburg, Va. (Jan. 26, 2012)—City and state officials and development partners  dedicated Claiborne Square, the largest development project so far under the Strategic Investment Plan for Petersburg, on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at 2 p.m. at 518 Halifax St.

The general public was invited to attend the dedication and reception for the new affordable housing community for seniors. Guided tours spotlighted the environmentally friendly features of the award-winning community.

Restoration of Petersburg Community Development Corp. (ROPCDC) and the Better Housing Coalition (BHC) have worked together for four years – along with many other public and private entities – to develop high-quality, affordable housing for residents over age 55 at Claiborne Square. It’s the first of several developments that are part of a larger plan to revitalize the Halifax area of Petersburg.

Claiborne Square received the award for Best Housing Development in Virginia at the 2011 Governor’s Housing Conference. Claiborne Square is also the first multi-family community in Petersburg to be certified by EarthCraft™, the leader in green building standards.

“These new homes are a result of many individuals and organizations that share our commitment to meeting the needs of the community at the neighborhood level,” said Cynthia Martin, executive director of the ROPCDC. “Everyone involved –from planners to financial supporters, builders and City officials — committed to creating an outstanding new community that serves a great need.” 

Five years ago, Virginia LISC brought together more than 1,000 citizens who gave input to the revitalization plan, and Halifax was one of the four neighborhoods they designated as a priority.

Rev. Dr. Robert Diggs, founder of Restoration of Petersburg CDC and pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Halifax, said, “High-quality, affordable housing attracts new businesses, private investment and a sense of pride among residents. We believe Claiborne Square is the spark that will ignite more progress and investment in Halifax.”

About Claiborne Square

The new community is designed for active adults over age 55. It includes 47 units of one- and two-bedroom apartments, energy-efficient features that reduce utility bills, a large community room, a library, a private terrace, on-site laundry facilities, an elevator and secured entrances.

Claiborne Square

Individual apartments have barrier-free design, wall-to-wall carpet, energy-efficient appliances and individually controlled heating and air conditioning. Safety features include smoke detectors and a heat activated sprinkler system.

BHC’s property management arm will provide ongoing management and maintenance, and its Community Social Work department will have an on-site, ongoing presence to provide support services for residents. Claiborne Square is the seventh community for seniors developed and managed by BHC.

It’s Green Inside and Out

With its EarthCraft™ certification, Claiborne Square meets or exceeds all program standards to conserve energy, lower utility bills and improve indoor air quality. The interior features high-efficiency HVAC systems, quality insulation, Energy Star™ appliances and light fixtures, Low-E windows that allow for more natural light and acts as insulators, and carpets made from recycled materials.

The exterior features solar panels on the main building to heat hot water for laundry facilities, common areas and restrooms; low-maintenance brick and HardiePanel siding; LED exterior lights, and cisterns to capture rainwater to irrigate drought tolerant plants. 

About ROPCDC

Established in 1999 by the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Restoration of Petersburg Community Development Corporation, Inc. (ROPCDC) is a non-profit, non-stock, faith-based corporation. ROPCDC’s mission is to redevelop and revitalize the human and physical capital of the Harding Street-Delectable Heights Community, known as the “Halifax Community,” in Petersburg, Virginia. ROPCDC places a priority on the overall needs of families living in the Halifax Community by addressing the stability of families. This is done through housing rentals, housing development, economic development, employment and employment training, child care and community activities, a playground, and other activities. These offerings are essentials as ROPCDC continues to build its capacity to create sustainable community development and growth in the Halifax Community. When this goal has been obtained, the ROPCDC will reach out and assist others in the city of Petersburg, underscored its theme “Restoring Petersburg, One Block at a Time.”

About BHC

Established in 1988, the Better Housing Coalition is an award-winning, non-profit Community Development Corporation dedicated to changing lives and transforming communities through high-quality, affordable housing. BHC’s holistic approach to revitalization includes a long-term commitment to the communities it develops by providing on-site social services for residents and attentive property management.  It also incorporates sustainable design into all of its projects to keep maintenance and utility costs low for homeowners and renters.

BHC owns and manages 1,500 apartments in its 15 communities in Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield and Petersburg, and provides services to more than 2,500 residents annually. It also has provided financial guidance and sold more than 150 renovated homes to first-time owners. For information call 804-644-0546.

The story is also available on the NBC12 website here.

Don’t forget to join BHC and Restoration of Petersburg CDC this Sunday, January 29 for the dedication of Claiborne Square!  The event will take place at 518 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA 23803 beginning at 2:00 pm. We will hold guided community tours followed by a reception in the Tabernacle Baptist Church Community Life Center. For more information, call 804-733-7625 or 804-733-6541.

Edward Bolling is presented with the keys to his new apartment.

“I really like the historic architecture in the neighborhood.  It’s also easy to access from downtown,” said Edward.

Edward says it was more than just the great location that drew him to Beckstoffer’s.  He looked all over Richmond for a quality apartment, and found this community to be the biggest bang for his buck.  He first heard about Beckstoffer’s in August 2011 when it was still under construction.  Now, after moving in, he believes it was worth the wait.

“This is the perfect place for me,” he said.  “I’ll enjoy living here and look forward to meeting my neighbors soon.”

Beckstoffer’s Mill offers modern, energy-efficient homes within the original structure of a historic lumber mill.  Occupying a block on N. 28th Street between R and S Streets, the community will serve as an anchor for further revitalization in the neighborhood.  

Visit our Beckstoffer’s page for more information and photos.

Click here to view the full article.

Better Housing Coalition’s holistic approach to community revitalization has brought positive transformation to several neighborhoods throughout the Greater Richmond region.  Our unique model and long-term committment to our communities and residents has garnered several organizational awards over the years.  Visit our Awards page to see the recognitions we have received for our latest initiatives.

BHC's bungalow house model is one of six models available to first-time homebuyers.

Click here for the full article.  New homes are under construction in Blackwell – visit our home listings page for our current home ownership opportunities!

Lincoln Mews

Lincoln Mews is BHC’s first revitalization initiative in North Richmond and the complete transformation of the former Lincoln Manor apartments. Many of the units were vacant and in serious disrepair at the time that BHC acquired the property in 2008. BHC renovated the community in two phases to prevent the displacement of existing families, and upgraded the apartments with energy-efficient features that significantly lower utility costs for residents. The new Community Center, which also incorporates green building technologies, serves as a central location for BHC’s community social workers to provide free and voluntary enrichment programs for all age groups, including after-school programs, resident counseling, and employment training. A new playground, park, and porch overhangs give children safe places to play in view of their parents and help create a greater sense of community. BHC will continue its revitalization efforts in North Richmond by renovating North Oaks Apartments, directly across the street from Lincoln Mews on North Avenue.

“For years, the Better Housing coalition has provided innovative solutions for the affordable housing market,” said Bill Shelton, director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), who presented the awards. “Claiborne Square will serve as a catalyst for additional development and revitalization in the area.”

Claiborne Square

Claiborne Square was generously funded by the Cameron Foundation.

BHC was pleased to honor some of Richmond’s most exciting preservation and revitalization projects at the 2011 Golden Hammer Awards on Thursday, November 3.  With approximately 200 people in attendance at the historic Hippodrome Theater, David Herring, VP of BHC’s Center for Neighborhood Revitalization, announced the following winners:

Best Residential Renovation
3302 P Street

Neighborhood: Oakwood – Chimborazo Historic District
Owners & Developers: Tom O’Kelly & Ed Stone
Architect & Contractor: Jewels General Contractors

Best Commercial Renovation – Large-Scale, over 10,000 s.f.
Bliley’s Garage

Neighborhood: Jackson Ward
Owner & Developer: Gammino Realty & Development
Architect: Todd Dykshorn
Contractor: City & Guilds

Best Commercial Renovation – Small-Scale, under 5,000 s.f.
1805 – 1809 E. Broad Street

Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom
Owners: Branch Retail LLC, Jon Newman, Josh Dare, & Rique Flato
Architect: BAM Architects
Contractor: The Capstone Contracting Company

Best Urban Infill
Stella’s Restaurant

Neighborhood: Malvern Gardens
Owner: CDI Lafayette, LLC
Developer: Crossroads Development, Inc.
Architect: Bruce Shirley, Ratio Studios; Engineering by Nyfeler Associates
Contractor: Retail Commercial Interiors

Best Neighborhood Design
Holton Learning Garden

Neighborhood: Hermitage Road Historic District
Owner: Richmond Public Schools
Project initiator: Linwood Holton PTA Garden Committee
Masterplan and Architect of record: BAM Architects
Hudson House design: Opposable Thumbs/Chris Chase
Butterfly Garden design: Higgins Gerstenmaier/Frank Hancock
Plant selection: Balzer and Associates/David Lisowski
Construction crew: Parents/Teachers/Community members

Green Hammer for Sustainable Design Excellence
Bliley’s Garage

Neighborhood: Jackson Ward
Owner & Developer: Gammino Realty & Development
Architect: Todd Dykshorn
Contractor: City & Guilds

 BHC also celebrated the accomplishments of six honorees:

Preservation Advocacy Award:
Catie Beck, CBS 6 News & Rachel DePompa, NBC 12 News

Andrew Asch Historic Developer Award:
Walker Row Partnership

Neighborhood Revitalization Award:
VCU Department of Planning & Urban Studies

Edmund A. Rennolds Jr. Excellence in Architecture Award:
Johannas Design Group

Special Recognition – Neighborhood Design & Planning:
The Honorable Jennifer McClellan

Special Recognition – Sustainable Design:
Paul & Julie Weissend, Dovetail Construction

Congratulations to this year’s award winners, and thank you to the 24 exceptional Golden Hammer Nominees!

Photos from the event can be viewed on BHC’s Facebook page.  Special thanks to Randall Edwards.