HUD Approves NRHA Application to Demolish 58-Year Old Moton Circle Apartment Complex

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (NRHA) application to demolish the 58-year old Moton Circle assisted-rental apartment complex. The approval was issued May 27, 2010.

Next steps will be considered by the Board of Commissioners at its monthly meeting Monday, June 14.

The Board approved the demolition application submission on August 10, 2009.
HUD agreed with NRHA’s determination that “the development is obsolete as to physical condition, location or other factors, making it unsuitable for housing purposes and no reasonable program of modifications is cost-effective to return the public housing project(s) or portion of the project to useful life.”
 
Following demolition and obtaining financial commitments, NRHA will construct affordable rental units as well as affordable and market-rate homeownership residences on the 11-acre site. These new dwellings will accommodate displaced residents who want to return to the community and meet return criteria for re-occupancy.
 
The plan for proposed new housing and return criteria were developed in collaboration with residents following a series of briefings and feedback sessions conducted prior to application submittal last year. The Moton Circle Tenant Management Council submitted a letter to HUD supporting the application as did the Mayor and City Manager of Norfolk.
 
Repositioning Moton Circle, built in 1952, is a key component of the continuing revitalization of the Broad Creek area as a vibrant mixed-income, mixed-use community.