(Danville) — Danville leaders used a regional housing forum Thursday to announce a new effort to get more homes built in the city.
During the Southern Virginia Housing Summit at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, city leaders announced plans for a 142-acre city-controlled site for single-family development in the Schoolfield district.
The site will allow for between 250-300 residential homes to be built on lots at the former Glen Oak golf course. Crews have finished a phase one environmental assessment of the site and phase two is already underway. A preliminary engineering report is under review by the state.
Soon, the city will issue a request for proposals to developers and builders who want to use the site.
Meantime, it sounds like the summit was a hit. Over 275 architects, developers, home renovators, financial institution representatives, community advocates, and local leaders met to discuss and spark new residential housing in Southside Virginia.
State and local elected officials were on hand, including members of Danville City Council and Danville Public Schools, Delegate Danny Marshall, Delegate Eric Phillips, and State Senator Tammy Mulchi.
“This event is a testament to the strong partnerships in our region that strive to not only address challenges but to also collaborate and develop unique solutions so that each community member has access to quality housing for every stage of life,” said Susan McCulloch, City of Danville, Division Director of Housing and Development. “By showcasing the abundance of development opportunities in our egion, we aim to initiate meaningful discussion on the future of housing in Southern Virginia.”
Chris Thompson of Virginia Housing, the event’s premier sponsor, presented opening remarks. Sherrie Armstrong, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, discussed economic mobility in the housing landscape.
Greta Harris, Better Housing Coalition President and CEO, was the 2024 keynote speaker, highlighting the connection between quality, affordable housing to regional economic growth.
Telly Tucker, President of the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, presented closing remarks. “We are committed to fostering an environment where businesses can thrive, families can settle, and communities can grow. Housing is a crucial piece of this puzzle,” Tucker said.
The summit had presentations on the local housing market, mortgage rate trends, state financial resources, and regional opportunities for development. They also learned more about local success stories, including The View at Franklin in Danville and the Fieldale School Apartments in Henry County.
