Monday, March 27, 2000
Newport revives bid for low-income housing grant
Reapplication seeks $30 million
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — Residents are cautiously hopeful while some business owners are skeptical as Newport prepares to reapply for a $30 million Hope VI federal grant to move low-income families into new or renovated housing.
The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) turned down a similar application last year while encouraging the city and housing authority to reapply.
“Some things have changed in HUD's notification for Hope VI application, and we're working on those changes as we rewrite this year's application,” said Mark Brown, housing authority executive director.
Billie Russell, chairwoman of the Residents Council at the 202-unit housing project on 4th Street, cited neighbors' concerns about moving from the homes they've lived in for years.
However, the tone of negotiations with the housing authority has softened, she said. “We're not screaming at each other or walking out of meetings, like we did last year. We're still negotiating. We haven't seen a draft of the new application plan, but we're supposed to see it at our next meeting.”
The housing authority and city have worked for years on a plan, mandated in part by HUD's desire to eliminate large public housing projects and to locate various forms of public housing throughout the city.
Existing, one-story public housing projects are spread over 13 acres, between Central Avenue and 4th street, dead-ending at the flood wall.
Newport intends to tear the homes down and sell the valuable development property to private investors.
The Hope VI grant, meant to pay for replacement low-income housing, would be the primary funding mechanism for Newport's plans.
Rhonda Burgin, Newport's low-income housing and Hope VI coordinator, said that in this round of grant applications HUD intends to review the obsolescence of Newport public housing projects and give the application points for the degree of obsolescence.
Mr. Brown predicted HUD would consider “social obsolescence” as well as the physical state of the housing projects. “Things like crime and isolation are considered in social obsolescence.”
Several sites around the city have been designated as potential properties for renovation and occupancy. They include a trio of large, empty three-story brick structures at Ninth and Monmouth streets which could be converted to about 50 apartments aimed at low-income and upper-income residents.
That proposal makes some Monmouth Street business owners nervous.
“I would not necessarily be opposed to the project, if there is a guarantee that there will be adequate off-street parking for the residents,” said Peter Garrett, who owns Peter Gar rett Gunsmiths located two buildings north from the corner.
“The city and housing authority people have said the first floor will be commercial and the upper floors residential,” Mr. Garrett said. “That's a breaking point as far as I'm concerned. If there is a mix of commercial and residential on the first level, I'll oppose the project to HUD.”
Marvin Polinski, who owns Saul's clothing store on Monmouth Street, said he was most concerned about the parking situation. “We don't have enough parking now. If we have mostly rental property in the block and no additional parking, I'm not sure some of us could stay in business.”
Mr. Brown said the housing au thority always has intended to provide off-street parking with the new and renovated housing opportunities.
Newport officials have no estimates of how many other cities are also seeking a portion of the $575 million Hope VI pot.
“Last year, there were 121 Hope VI applications, and HUD only funded about 23 of those,” Ms. Burgin said.
Cincinnati received a $31 million Hope VI award in 1998 for renovation of Lincoln Court in the West End.
However, Mr. Brown said, meetings with HUD officials last year in Washington, D.C., and last month in Atlanta were very positive. “We had suggestions as to where we can strengthen our application, and verbal encouragement from HUD officials who said last year's application was very good.”
The housing authority again is working with consultant Jan Rubin of Philadelphia. Ms. Rubin's company received about $500,000 last year for its efforts and probably will earn $100,000 this year.
Two public meetings on the Hope VI application are planned, one at the housing authority former day-care center at 9 Bonner Street on April 11, and another that has yet to be set.
Hope VI deadline is May 18.
“We are much closer to agreement than we were at this time last year,” Ms. Russell said. “We're hoping for an agreement that everyone can benefit from, especially the residents.”
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