HOPE VI Land Swap

Source: heraldstandard.com

The Fayette County Housing Authority Thursday approved a land swap with the Uniontown Hospital that is part of area revitalization plans for both entities.

The land swap includes two acres containing a portion of three buildings owned by the FCHA in Bierer Wood Acres and one acre of land comprised of a finished parking area owned by Uniontown Hospital.

Executive Director Thomas Harkless said plans are to include the land swap information in the next HOPE VI application, as part of the renovation plans for Bierer Wood Acres.

Proposed funding for the $55 million project includes a $20 million federal grant, $22.2 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Equity, $9.4 million from tax-exempt bond debt, $2.75 million from the FCHA capital fund and $888,800 from homebuyer equity and loans.

FCHA administrator Andre Walters said the three buildings on the property involved in the land swap would not be demolished unless the HOPE VI money is approved.

Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink said the renovation of Bierer Wood Acres has been discussed and is in motion.

Don Record of the Uniontown Hospital said the hospital is interested in the land where the three buildings sit.

According to a fact sheet, the housing authority project includes demolition of the 86 units of obsolete housing on site, as well as construction of 224 units of new housing, including 165 on-site; three units to be located in homes to be acquired and renovated immediately off-site; and 56 units on an off-site, vacant parcel. Previously, 106 units of the project were demolished, leaving the current 86.

The new Bierer Wood Acres would have 16 homeownership units in duplexes, 66 units of family rental housing in duplexes and triplexes, and 86 units of senior housing, according to a fact sheet.

On another FCHA iniative, following a lengthy discussion, the authority failed to approve a resolution authorizing a capital fund financing loan for the Laurel Estates project at the former Lemon Wood Acres housing project.

The motion, to secure a $3,743,525 loan, failed to obtain a second. Board member James V. Bitonti made the motion and neither Zimmerlink nor Beverly Beal made a second. Board members William "Trip" Radcliffe and Nancy Sutton were absent. Radcliffe arrived late to the meeting, after the vote was taken.

Walters said the tax credits for the project have already been received, and plans are to build 56 public housing units including single family homes and handicapped units, but with primarily duplexes and two triplexes. He said it would be laid out "as a community" instead of the former row houses.

Walters said the FCHA has been working on the project for nearly four years, and more than $8.8 million in tax credits have been received. He said the total project is $13 million, and the annual payment for the 20-year loan will be between $280,000 and $319,000, which will be taken out of the capital fund.

Developer Falbo-Pennrose, who will manage the property for the first three years while FCHA staff is trained, will handle the project.

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