[Brown Duckz]

Some residential development on the Westside.

New subdivision set for west side
By Jill Nolin • July 26, 2008

The city of Montgomery is planning to build a residential development on the west side, a market that has been stagnant since the exodus to east Mont­gomery started years ago.


The project marks the first time the city has played a domi­nant role in an affordable hous­ing development, and city plan­ners believe they can revitalize the area and make it attractive to private investors.

"I think it has the potential to make all the difference," said Ken Groves, the city's director of planning. "In this case, we're dealing with an old urban neigh­borhood that has been in the process of abandonment and is wishing to turn itself around."

The city plans to build the homes with federal grant money and then turn the project over to private entities once the city finds homeowners.

"We are in effect taking a risk for the private institutions. As soon as we can show that it works, they'll want to jump back in," Groves said.

While the city commonly aids nonprofit organizations that specialize in creating low-to-moderate income housing, it never has done so on its own.

"I think if we work at it hard enough and stick to it, we can show Montgomery how it can be," Groves said to the Planning Commission on Thursday.

The commission signed off on the development plan for the project, which is called Lanier Place. It will be built in three phases and will be located at the site of the former Lanier Court apartment buildings, which de­teriorated so badly they eventu­ally were torn down.

The first phase will include 19 patio-garden homes on Liberty Street, which is being extended to intersect the newly renamed E.D. Nixon Avenue, formerly Goode Street. The homes will have a traditional design.

Groves said he sees the initial phase as a demonstration that will show the private sector that is it possible to build, sell and even turn a profit in west Mont­gomery.

"Who knows -- in five to 10 years, west Montgomery might be the place to be," Groves said to the commission.

The city purchased the prop­erty, about eight acres of land just north of West Fairview Ave­nue, for $325,000 about two years ago, according to Groves. Grant money was used to purchase the land.

The target audience for the venture is young families and first-time homebuyers who are looking for low-to-moderately priced housing.

Private financing primarily will be used to purchase the homes, but Groves estimated that grant money is available to cover as much as 20 percent of the cost for those who need as­sistance.

This is also the first time that the city has concentrated efforts in one area. The city has operat­ed a first-time home ownership program for six years, but the homes are scattered throughout Montgomery.

The city has helped 215 fami­lies own homes for the first time, and only two of those pur­chases have ended in foreclo­sure. Also, 1,150 people have participated in the city's home ownership training program, which will be required of the residents who choose to live in Lanier Place.

Groves said that more home­owners in a neighborhood in­creases the likelihood of im­proving the overall quality of the area.

Groves said the city also is re­sponding to another need. With fuel costs increasing, more peo­ple are likely to look for housing closer to where they work. Lan­ier Place will have ready access to public transportation.