Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Monday, October 19, 2009
Contact: Mary Curtius 703-228-7943 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Gates of Ballston Wins Historic Preservation Award
AHC, County honored by National Trust for Historic Preservation
- 464 mixed-income units preserved
- More than 350 units rented at affordable rates
- Building sustainable community
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Gates of Ballston, a 464-unit garden apartment complex that had been threatened with demolition, has won an award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation five years after Arlington County joined forces with a non-profit housing developer to save the units and preserve the community living in them.
“Approaching age 70, The Gates of Ballston is once again what its builders intended – an inviting urban oasis, a place that welcomes people home,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The developer and County officials who worked magic here deserve to be congratulated for saving The Gates from demolition and providing high quality, mixed-income housing for this diverse community.”
The Advisors Award for the project went to AHC Inc., the County Housing Division; Collins & Kronstadt, AIA; Traceries, Inc.; and Harkins Builders.
“The Gates of Ballston is important both to Arlington’s history and to its future,” said Arlington County Board Chairman Barbara Favola. “This award honors an affordable housing project made possible by the many, many hours put into it by AHC, County staff, our wonderful Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board, community members and the County Board. The Gates demonstrates Arlington’s commitment to sustainability and to remaining a diverse and inclusive community.”
Background
The Arlington County Board approved long-term funding for a major renovation of The Gates in November, 24. The County provided $8.5 million in the form of an Affordable Housing Investment Fund loan, a $480,000 grant to fund a tenant assistance program and also provided credit support to back $25 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds issued by the County’s Industrial Development Authority (IDA). The cost of renovation and construction totaled nearly $100 million. The rest of the funds came from federal and state Historic tax credits, low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds issued by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, and other sources.
Of the 464 units, 348 are affordable at 60 percent of Area Median Income, currently up to $61,620 for a family of four. Ten percent of the units are affordable at 50 percent of the Area Median Income, or up to $51,330 for a family of four. Nine units house Department of Human Services clients with special needs. Ten units are accessible to persons with physical disabilities.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
