master planning

New Columbia

CHA, in collaboration with Mahlum Architects, completed a HOPE VI study that resulted in a $35 million grant from US HUD. We conducted over twenty workshops and community meetings with residents, staff and neighbors of the Columbia Villa community. The result is a dramatic masterplan that unifies the community and neighbors in the surrounding Portsmouth neighborhood. The 80-acre Columbia Villa development is redefined with 850 housing units to allow open and recreational space, and strong opportunities for individual and community space. The signature feature is a wide, tree lined, boulevard that consolidates open space and becomes a strong circulation path for vehicle traffic. Several institutional facilities have been located along the boulevard to develop a strong civic square: community center, youth center, day care facility, adult education center, inter-generational co-housing, public school and service agencies. An important goal was sustainability. The master plan calls for the current housing to be deconstructed so that wood framing, siding, windows and even concrete foundations can be re-used, re-cycled or re-claimed. Additionally, it attempts to save as many trees as possible.

awards and certifications:
2000 Columbia Villa Redevelopment Master Plan HOPE $35 million federal HUD Grant

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