A New Beginning
In partnership with housing builder Columbia Residential, and following many months of negotiations with city and federal public housing officials, Bayou District Foundation is now developing more than 900 mixed-income residences in New Orleans at the site of the former St. Bernard Housing Development.
Rendering of Phase 1 of Columbia Parc at Bayou District
Courtesy...Broadmoor Design
Construction
Bayou District Foundation in conjunction with Colombia Residential was selected by HUD through an RFQ process in March of 2007 to serve as the development partner with the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), for the St. Bernard Public Housing Community. Prior to the RFQ proposals submission, architects and construction experts consulted with former residents, community and religious leaders in the crafting of the plans for the new buildings. Once it was decided that a mixed income building plan was to be adopted, Colombia Residential flew over 30 former St. Bernard residents to Atlanta to tour similar mixed income properties that Columbia had constructed. The Phase 1 plans were approved by City Planning on August 27th, 2008 and the New Orleans City Council by a 7-0 vote on September 18th, 2008.
Construction of Phase I of the housing portion of the Bayou District Foundation, which includes 466 mixed income units commenced in December of 2008. Over 166 famalies are now living in Columbia Parc and the entire first phase is due to be complete by Nov 2010. Funding of the initial housing phase is being provided through the issuance of Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC's) and via Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies. The principal LIHTC equity investor is AEGON; whose North American base of operations is in Cedar Rapids Iowa.
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Groundbreaking at Bayou District; December 9th, 2008. Courtesy…Miller Photography |
The 466 units of mixed-income housing are made up of townhouse and carriage style homes. Each rental unit features hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and washer/dryer. The original street grid in place before the St. Bernard Housing Community was constructed has been restored. There are also extensive community enhancements including effective low profile security and extensive landscaping.
Phase 1 is the beginning of what is a true mixed-income neighborhood. Phase 2 will build upon this model by introducing commercial assets into the neighborhood through the efforts of Bayou District Foundation partner Commercial Realty. Phase 2 planning is currently underway and includes a grocery store, a small pharmacy, a laundry and other commercial assets that have not been rebuilt since the storm. Phase 3 includes the construction of affordable single family homes in and around the Bayou District. With the completion of phases 1, 2 and 3 of the overall housing plan; The Bayou District Foundation and its partners will ultimately provide a total of 1,325 units that include:
- 125 senior housing units
- 300 affordable for sale units
- 900 mixed income rental housing units. These will include 300 public housing units, 300 affordable units and 300 market rate units.
This housing effort represents one of the largest urban renewal projects currently underway in the United States. Bayou District Foundation and its partners are confident that the housing component of the plan, in conjunction with its efforts to improve educational and recreational facilities, will bring new light to the neighborhood by providing quality community assets to an area that has received little or no assistance since Hurricane Katrina.
