December 8, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority now owns the Harbor Square Apartments in downtown Hampton and is taking steps to address the most serious problems at the complex.
Ron Jackson, Executive Director of the authority, said his staff had reviewed reports from the city’s Codes Department, other due diligence inspection results and complaints from residents.
“All of the truly uninhabitable apartments are vacant,” said Jackson. Those units will be boarded up.
While the authority will not make major improvements to the property, “We will not have people living in unsanitary conditions,” said Jackson. The authority is stepping up treatments for insect infestation and monitoring the potential for sewage issues.
Security at the complex has also been increased.
The authority has communicated with residents via letters and plans to hold a series of tenant meetings in the near future. The 368-unit complex had a vacancy rate of 78 percent when the city began negotiating the purchase. That has slightly to 76 percent. No new leases will be issued, and leases will not be renewed.
The housing authority’s goal is to help Harbor Square residents find more suitable rental units elsewhere as quickly as possible.
The City of Hampton plans to demolish the buildings to allow for redevelopment. The Downtown Master Plan calls for streets through the area. The replacement for the city’s 135-year-old Circuit Courthouse may be built on some of the land.
Contact:
City Manager’s Office
22 Lincoln Street
Hampton, VA 23669
Robin McCormick,
757.728.3276
rmccormick (at) hampton (dot) gov
