Ground has been broken for an affordable housing complex in the city of Gainesville, targeted to replace another aging housing community.
Paces Preservation Partners, in partnership with the Gainesville Housing Authority, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, July 30 to kick off construction of Harrison Village Phase I. The new affordable apartment community will replace Harrison Square, an aging public housing community that has reached the end of its practical useful life.
Apartments in Harrison Village Phase I are slated to be affordable for renters earning between 30% and 80% of the area’s median income.
The groundbreaking event showcased the public-private collaboration between state and local government agencies, nonprofits and private businesses. The property will be developed on more than 17 acres of land with $40 million in funds. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) allocated tax-exempt bonds and low-income housing tax credits for Harrison Village Phase I and the Gainesville Housing Authority issued the DCA-allocated tax-exempt bonds.
Officials with the groups in the project say in a press release that the ultimate goal is for Harrison Village Phase I to replace Harrison Square, that is adjacent to the property. Tenants currently living at Harrison Square will be able to move to the new housing at Harrison Village Phase I when it opens. Harrison Square will remain in operation until construction of Harrison Village Phase I is complete. After that, the older structures will be destroyed and replaced by new apartment homes for seniors in Phase II, once funding is achieved.
Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillion joined members of Gainesville Housing Authority, Paces Preservation Partners, Soho Housing Partners and Chase Community Development Banking in taking part at the ceremony.
