South First Street Overview
Number of Units: 175
Phase 1 Amenities:
- Community Center
- Fitness Room
- Office
- Playground
Phase 2 Amenities:
- Community Center
- Office Room
- Basketball Court
- Playspaces
Built originally in September 1981, South First Street’s redevelopment process began in 2019. The property’s redevelopment will be conducted in three phases:
The first phase was completed 2023. In the first phase, the “ballfield” at the south end of the property was replaced with a brand-new community center and 62 units in three new, affordable garden-style apartment buildings.
The existing public housing units will be developed into new townhouses and apartments in the second phase, which got underway with demolition in the summer of 2024. Construction is planned to start February 2024, with early occupancy in summer 2026 and completion that fall
Lastly, the third phase of redevelopment is currently in the planning stages but will be developed on a small, wooded lot at the corner of Hartman’s Mill Road and South First Street.
Redevelopment Process
The South First Street resident-engagement process formed the basis of our current approach to planning. The first phase’s planning process was extensive, and we quickly realized that incentives were needed for greater participation. With incentivization and constant polling, we identified residents’ desires and needs for redevelopment.
South First Street phase two was much more intensive than the first and with help from BRW Architects, weekly resident planners’ groups were formed. These meetings proved essential to promoting resident engagement, data collection, and assurance that we were listening to residents’ visions.
South First Street Phase 1
Phase 1 of South First Street is up and running!
South First Street Phase 2
Construction fencing is installed and the original community center at 1000 SFS and remaining housing is demolished.
Site work to accomodate the new townhomes, apartments, and community spaces begin
The Community Center and the first phase of townhomes are turned over to CRHA.
Phase One: Partnerships & Funding Sources
The redevelopment of South First Street Phase One has been made possible through key partnerships with Arnold Design Studio Architecture, Breeden Construction, the Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR), the Affordable Housing Group, the Virginia Community Development Corporation, Red Light Management, South First Street Phase One, LLC.
Redevelopment is funded with various sources including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, the City of Charlottesville, the Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund, and loans and grants awarded to CRHA.
Phase Two: Partnerships and Funding Sources
The redevelopment of Phase Two is another major team effort.
Partnering up to make it happen are Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA), Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR), Affordable Housing Group (AHG), and the Virginia Community Development Corporation (VCDC).
Team members and contractors:
Red Light Management
BRW Architects
Collins Engineering
Urban Core
Greenwood Homes
Contour Construction
City of Charlottesville
Virginia Housing
Atlantic Union Bank
Funding:
LIHTC
City of Charlottesville
Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund
…and others!
