Hope VI

Willow Oaks is a new community that is being planned for southeast Greensboro. The $76 million project, a public-private partnership spearheaded by the Greensboro Housing Authority, will transform the obsolete Morningside Homes public housing development and the surrounding Lincoln Grove area into a vibrant, mixed-income community. Planners are taking a two-pronged approach to this project. In addition redeveloping the property, the project offers Morningside Homes residents opportunities to achieve career training, better jobs and self-sufficiency.

Leveraging a $23 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1998 under the “HOPE VI Revitalization Program” and $12.4 million from the City of Greensboro, Willow Oaks will generate over $40 million in private investment and other resources to create a new community. Mid-City Urban of Silver Springs, Maryland is the lead developer for the project. Mid-City has retained The NOAH Group to run the self-sufficiency program and Project Homestead to relocate Morningside Homes residents to other public housing or Section 8 housing. Development is expected to get underway in the summer of 2001. Contractors interested in participating can call 336-378-5907.

The Willow Oaks Steering Committee is responsible for guiding development of this new community. Its members represent the principal stakeholders in Willow Oaks: area residents, Greensboro Housing Authority, the City of Greensboro, and the lead developer. Co-chairing the steering committee are Evelyn Taylor, president of Morningside Homes Resident Council and Dan J. Curry, administrator, City of Greensboro, Department of Housing and Community Development.

Evelyn Taylor, Co-Chair
Morningside Homes Resident Council President

Dan J. Curry, Co-Chair
Administrator, City of Greensboro, 336-373-2751

Tina Akers
Executive Director, Greensboro Housing Authority, 336-275-8501

Yvonne J. Johnson
Mayor, Pro Tem, Greensboro City Council, 336-275-3699

James Cox
Mid-City Urban, PO Box 1957, Greensboro, NC 27402, 336-378-5907

Mary Petty
Morningside Homes Resident Council

Sadie Reed
Neighborhood Coalition

John Kavanagh
President, John Kavanagh Company
Board of Commissioners, Greensboro Housing Authority, 336-272-9904

In August 2000, Duany Plater-Zyberk, an internationally known town-planning firm, created detailed plans for Willow Oaks. The design of Willow Oaks is patterned on a city planning movement called New Urbanism, which draws on close-knit pre-World War II neighborhoods. New Urbanism emphasizes neighborliness and includes features that encourage neighbors to interact: front porches, sidewalks and homes built close to the street.

Designers are planning a community with 608 units with one- to four-bedroom residences. Plans include attached housing as well as stand-alone homes built in traditional styles that will help the new buildings blend into the older surrounding neighborhood. Houses, townhouses and apartments will be available in a variety of price ranges for rental and for purchase. When it is completed, Willow Oaks will be managed by a private management firm.

Public Buildings
Public space will be an important feature of Willow Oaks. A combined childcare center, recreation center and life long learning center will be a focus of the community. There will also be a small amount of retail space to serve neighborhood needs. The addition of sidewalks will encourage residents to walk and visit within their community.

A Mixed-Income Community
Willow Oaks will be a mixed-income community. 308 of the 608 housing units at Willow Oaks will rent or sell at market value. 300 units will be subsidized by the Greensboro Housing Authority. Priority for these units will be given to the former residents of Morningside Homes who will be relocated during the construction of Willow Oaks. There will be opportunities for low-income families to purchase homes at reduced rates.

Location of the Project
The revitalization effort will focus on the Morningside Homes/Lincoln Grove areas. This approximately 240-acre site is generally bounded by Lee Street on the south, English Street on the east, East Market Street on the north, and U.S. 29 on the west. Included in the area are the 380 Morningside Homes public housing community, the Eastside Park neighborhood and portions of Tolbert, Lincoln Grove and English Street neighborhoods.

Contact James Cox of Mid-City Urban (336-378-5907) lead developer for Willow Oaks, for information on buying a home at Willow Oaks. Your name will be placed on a list of interested buyers.

Call Mid-City Urban (336-378-5907) in Greensboro. Leave your name and number. You will be contacted about contractors’ fairs and vendor fairs where you can obtain more information on this project. Minority contractors are especially invited to become involved.

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ARTICLES ABOUT HOPE VI/WILLOW OAKS *“Hope For The Future"* By Yvonne Johnson and John Kavanagh Reprinted From the Greensboro News and Record December 5, 1999 Ms. Johnson is currently Greensboro Mayor Pro Tem and member of the GHA HOPE VI Steering Committee. Mr. Kavanaugh is a GHA Board Member as well as a member of the GHA HOPE VI Steering Committee. "Right Formula for Turnaround" By Linda Jones Reprinted From the Greensboro News and Record December 5, 1999 Ms. Jones was a member of the GHA HOPE VI Steering Committee and also served as chair of the “Neighborhood Coalition”. “Plans Completed For New Hope VI Community" By Mary Louise Smith Reprinted from GHA’s Community News Summer, 2000 Ms. Smith presently serves as Community Relations Coordinator for the Greensboro Housing Authority.