A proposed major housing development on the east side of Rockdale has received conditional approval for its initial loan and the project could get its official clearance to proceed as soon as March.
Brooks Haven Supportive housing envisions 30 residential units (town homes) set on approximately two locations in southeast Rockdale. It was announced in March, 2017, by Dr. Dennis Brooks.
The estimated $3.4-million project has received conditional approval for its initial $500,000 loan through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
COMMITMENT—According to Rick Sims, executive director of Noah Arc Community Development Association, the project is pending environmental review with the Texas General Land Office.
“We should go to underwriting with the TDHCA no later, than January for $2-million,” he said. “The project should get its notice to proceed from the General Land Office no later than March or April for the groundbreaking.”
All units proposed are approximately 1,200 square feet with three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, with a one-car garage plus storage.
Lots are approximately 25 by 50 feet with landscaped green areas. Infrastructure includes broad (60-foot right-of-way) streets with sidewalks. Brooks Haven is described as a “walkable, friendly” community.
Locations are the northeast corner of Fourth and Pecan and northeast of Wilhite and Maloy near the former Aycock High School.
DEVELOPER—Project developer is the American Academy of Crisis Counseling of which Dr. Brooks is the chair.
He told The Reporter the project is supported by several entries including New Jerusalem Christian Church.
“It’s also supported by the customers of Sho’ Nuff Soul Food,” he said. “We’ve been saving up since we started to put money raised into something like this to benefit the community.”
All architectural and engineering plans are complete and awaiting submission for permits, Sims said.
The units will be targeted for “very low to moderate income families at 80 percent or less of the area’s medium gross income.”
FILLING NEED— “We’ve needed something like this in this area of town for quite some time,” Dr. Brooks said.
He noted the locations reinforce the “walkable community” concept.
“One is virtually adjacent to Sumuel Park and the other is close to Moultry Park,” he pointed out.
“And there are four churches within walking distance of the Fourth and Pecan site,” he said.
“Rockdale is poised to grow with new business coming here and people are going to need some place to stay.”
He said the Brooks Haven project has received “overwhelming: support, including the city council, which endorsed the project in 2017, Mayor John King, State Rep. Terry Wilson, City Manager Chris Whittaker and many others.
SDC Construction will be the project contractor.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.