AHC, Inc. adds national win to last year's state award.
In 2008, the Gates of Ballston won "Best Project Virginia" from the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers, and this year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation gave the redeveloped, affordable housing complex its Board of Advisors' Award, one of 16 "honor awards" for a project that "most exemplifies values we care about," said Valecia Crisafulli, the National Trust's director of the Center of Preservation Leadership.
The values include preservation of historic spaces, along with maintaining affordable housing and diversity.
"It's easy for an area to say, 'We want to tear this down for more density,'" Ms. Crisafulli said. But by working together with private investors, the county, and the community, AHC, Inc., which owns and manages the property, was able to keep the property affordable.
"That's what really resonated," Ms. Crisafulli said.
AHC, Inc. bought the 464-unit apartment complex, with help from the county, in 2002. In 2007, the Gates completed a $107 million renovation that gutted the apartments, replaced the roofs, improved the heating and cooling systems, and upgraded the landscape. The county, AHC, and civic groups worked together for years as the purchase and then redevelopment moved forward. The meetings not only covered the looks of the buildings, but how to disrupt residents the least while maintaining open space and affordability.
Since the Gates sits inside the Buckingham Historic District, all the external renovations had to pass muster with the county's Historical Affairs and Landmarks Review Board. This included the fencing that was put up, the shrubs that were replaced, and the additions added to the backs of some buildings. Seventy-five percent of the units are rented to families that earn 60 percent, or less, of the area median income.
“AHC is thrilled to receive this award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Preserving this long-neglected garden apartment complex as much needed affordable housing was a real team effort. We’re grateful to our partners and to the Buckingham community for helping us to save The Gates," said AHC President and CEO Walter Webdale, in a statement.
AHC spokesperson Catherine Bucknam said they applied in March for the award and found out that they had won in August, but had to keep quiet about the win until Oct. 15.
"We were thrilled," she said.
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