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Source: WRAL.com
Durham — Bare brick buildings and chain link fences – that’s what public housing used to be. Not anymore.
Raleigh's oldest housing project under a federal program is now part of the new downtown revitalization. The housing authority completed the project in record time. Durham is trying to do the same, but it's taking twice as long.
It is slow movement for a project with a muddied past. In 2003, crews started tearing down the Few Gardens public housing project. Four years later, work on a new neighborhood has just begun to take shape.
“It’s roughly two years behind schedule,” said Terrance Gerald, economic development director of the Durham Housing Authority.
The Hope VI project, as it’s called because of the federal program supporting it, stands in stark contrast to two in Raleigh in that program. That city's oldest public housing complex, Halifax Court, is filled with villas and single-family homes. Chavis Heights is nearly complete.
Crews spent 3½ years on each project. Raleigh could begin work on a third project before Durham is done with Few Gardens, which is expected to have 83 rental units and 42 single-family houses. More HERE
