Elizabeth Square PowerPoint Presentation


 Overview of RAD at Elizabeth House

 
The purpose of this page is to keep HOC stakeholders constantly informed during its transition to Project-Based Vouchers through the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program; however, it is specifically designed for all households affected by the conversion.
 
Property specific key developments, start and completion dates, vital contact information, and when possible, pictures or samples are provided in the Fact Sheet for all phases of the project. The information presented will inform residents about RAD and will help them engage with the agency throughout the transition process. All RAD-related information pertaining to HOC can be located on this page.
 

Please bookmark this page and check back for the latest RAD updates affecting your property. The page will be updated on an "as needed" basis. A weekly visit to the RAD webpage is recommended to remain informed on all developments.

 

June 11, 2014 RAD Resident Meeting
On June 11, 2014, at 6:00 p.m., HOC held a meeting for Elizabeth House residents in the Dining Hall. The meeting was facilitated by Christopher Donald, Housing Acquisitions Manager at HOC, and Tom Donaghy from Kishimoto Gordon Delaya (KGD), the project architect. Staff from HOC’s Resident Services, Property Management, and Legislative and Public Affairs Division was also present at the meeting.

 

The purpose of the meeting was to:

  • Provide residents with a detailed visual description of HOC’s goal for the Elizabeth House property;
  • Introduce Elizabeth House residents to the HOC project leader directly associated with the RAD conversion for Elizabeth House, Christopher Donald;
  • Explain the redevelopment process and how it will happen;
  • Present residents with a timeline for Elizabeth House’s redevelopment and;
  • Answer resident questions pertaining to RAD, redevelopment, and the current status of Elizabeth House.
 

RAD Refresher

To view a summary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program, HOC’s initial RAD presentation for Elizabeth House residents, or RAD FAQ’s, click here.
 
What are HOC’s plans for Elizabeth House?
  
The following PowerPoint presentation was shared and discussed during the meeting. The chart below explains the information contained in the presentation. Feel free to contact Mr. Donald, Elizabeth House’s Property Management staff, or a member of Resident Services if you need assistance understanding the presentation.
 
Slide Number Slide Contents

Title Page

The Project has been named Elizabeth Square. The replacement building for Elizabeth House is currently being called Elizabeth House III and the second building is being called Elizabeth House IV.

Slide 1

 
Slide one is the Elizabeth Square Project Team.
 

- HOC is the owner and Co-Developer

- Lee Development Group (LDG) is the Lead Developer

- KGD Architecture is the Architect

- Lerch, Early and Brewer are the Land Use Counsel

- James G. Davis is the General Contractor

- Rodgers Consulting is the Civil Engineer

Slide 2

 
Slide two is an Aerial View of the Elizabeth House today.

Slide 3

 
Slide three discusses the guiding principles to HOC’s development process. The Elizabeth House area will be revitalized and packed with a wide array of resident benefits. The development will regenerate the section of Silver Spring that it is located in.
 

Slide 4

 
Slide four introduces, in brief, the resident benefits that will be available on Elizabeth Square.

Slide 5

 
Slide five introduces, in brief, the amenities that will be available on Elizabeth Square.

Slide 6

 
Slide six is an Aerial View of the planned Elizabeth Court. The court will comprise of three residential and mixed use buildings. Elizabeth House, Alexander House and another high-rise will be on the property.
 

Slide 7

 
Slide seven illustrates how HOC plans to develop Elizabeth Square.
- All Elizabeth House residents will relocate from the building prior to construction beginning. Residents will live in the Alexander House during construction.

- The first building (Phase I) is the new Elizabeth House. All current Elizabeth House residents will have an opportunity to move back on the property. Elizabeth House will remain a senior building.

- The second building (Phase II) will be a mixed income and mixed use building.

Slide 8

 
Slide eight is an architectural image of the property from Fenwick Street.

Slide 9

 
Slide nine is an architectural image of the property from Second Avenue.

Slide 10

 
Slide ten is an architectural image of the property from Apple Avenue.

Slide 11

 
Slide 11 is an architectural image of the property’s Interior Plaza which will be shared by the three building.

Slide 12

 
Slide 12 explains the development process in stages. Elizabeth House is currently in the Preliminary and Project Planning stage.
 

- HOC will submit its application to build a 236 unit building to the county in August 2014. This building will house Elizabeth House residents during construction.

- HOC will enter the Site Plan stage once it receives the county’s application approval and feedback.

- The Site Plan stage consists of conducting meeting with city and county residents to gain community approval to proceed with development.

- Ground Breaking on the new Elizabeth is projected to begin in 2016. It will take two years to complete construction.

- The Grand Opening will take place in 2018.

It will take approximately four years to complete the project.


June 11 Resident Questions

1. How is the development being financed? Who is paying for it?
 
RAD converts the rental assistance which make units affordable to our existing residents from Public Housing subsidy to Project-Based Section 8 subsidy. Converting to Project-Based Section 8 subsidy enables HOC to attract private financing to develop, repair, and renovate units. HOC will use a number of proven, prudent, and available sources to fund the construction of the new building.
 
2. How many units are planned for the new building?
 
The new Elizabeth House is currently designed with 12 floors and 236 units, comprising 33 efficiency units, 196 one-bedroom units, and 12 two-bedroom units planned for the building.
 
3. What amenities will be available at Elizabeth Square?
 
Tentatively, Elizabeth Square amenities will include easy access to a swimming pool, fitness center, class room, community kitchen, and a wellness center on the property. The development plans currently include an art wall, live-work artist studios (in Phase 2), a hummingbird garden, walking trails around the property, a water feature, an open green for yoga and group activities, and outside tables with seating equipped with electricity and power.
The interior Plaza will serve as the meeting point for community events and social activities. The senior building will have community balconies and a rooftop garden. There will be ample parking under the property in a garage with multiple entrances and exits. The property will be handicapped accessible.
 
4. What are the unit sizes?
 
Units will range in size from 650 square feet to 850 square feet.
 
5. Can anyone live in Elizabeth Square?
  
Phase I of the new Elizabeth House will only be available to residents 62 years of age or older. The units which transfer over from the existing Elizabeth House will continue to serve as affordable housing units. All affordable housing units at the new Elizabeth House will require prospective residents to qualify for those units under the rules and regulations of those programs.
Phase II will likely be a mixed-income building for families, where some units will be affordable and some will be market rate.
 
6. Is the property going to be handicap accessible?
 
The entire property will be accessible as defined by the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA). The property will consist of elevator access to all floors, accessible door widths, and wide steps. The number of fully accessible units has not been finalized yet. However, all units will be visitable, and all bathrooms are planned to include installation of grab bars.
 
7. Who will coordinate and finance resident relocations?
 
HOC will coordinate and finance all required relocation-related expenses as a result of RAD. Existing residents will receive specific, thorough communication on the subject as the completion of the new building approaches.
 
8. How much will my rent increase when I move into the new Elizabeth House?
 
 
For nearly all residents, whose rents are calculated based on incomes, rents will continue to be calculated in the same manor. There may be individual cases where resident rents change. This primarily affects residents who are either zero renters or pay very little in rent. The RAD program notice allows for a phase in period of 3 to 5 years for any monthly rental amount that changes by more than $25.
 
9. What about the current security concerns?
 
The current security concerns are being evaluated for solutions to both ongoing operations and to be introduced in the new building
 
10. Can HOC repair the current Elizabeth House?
 
 
In all instances, HOC will continue to manage and maintain the property.
 
11. How many additional meetings will HOC hold during the development?
 
 
HOC’s goal is to provide all news to residents prior to them hearing it from a public source. Most important of all, HOC’s goal is to keep residents involved in every stage of the development process. As a result of the two goals, numerous meeting will take place over the next four years.
 
Residents will hear the latest information, provide their feedback, and receive answers to their questions during every scheduled meeting.
 
12. What are my options?
 
 
Current Elizabeth House residents have two options. The first is to remain in place at the existing Elizabeth House until construction is projected to be complete in 2018 and move into your new home. The second option is to explore alternative arrangements for permanent housing elsewhere in Montgomery County. All current residents will have the option to move into the New Elizabeth House.
 
13.What exactly is the process?
 

Once all of the necessary approvals have been received,

- Phase I construction will begin for the new Elizabeth House.

- Once construction is complete, residents who wish to move into the new Elizabeth House will work with management staff to do so. Residents who wish to move elsewhere will also have that option as well.

- Once the existing Elizabeth House is vacant, the building will be demolished.

- The building in Phase II will be constructed; it will take two years for completion.
 
14. Can I see the plan in writing?
 
The attached PowerPoint presentation is the most appropriate and current development plan.
 
15. Will Elizabeth Square be accessible to public transportation?
 
 
 
Public transportation will be accessible to the property.
 
16. How and when will residents be able to choose a unit type?
 
 
 
 
The management staff will work with residents before construction is complete in the new Elizabeth House to select their new homes. Staff has not come up with a schedule at this point but will provide residents with ample notice.
 
17. Why is it estimated that it will take four years to complete development?
  
 
 
It takes approximately two years to complete a design that meets all necessary entitlement requirements and receives the appropriate permitting approvals. It takes two years to build a high-rise.
 
18. Why not reduce the amount of outside space and increase the unit sizes?
 
 
 
HOC and the developer must abide by Federal, State and County statues which control the land usage.
 
 
19. Who owns the Alexander House?
 
 
 
HOC owns the Alexander House.
 
20. I have more questions. Who can I contact?
 
 

Please direct Elizabeth Square related questions, concerns and comments to Christopher Donald at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.