1985-86: New Single Family for CHMA: Phase I- Scattered Sites in Communities Counties/Towns/Cities surrounding Cincinnati.

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Serving as the key design professional, Mr. Alexander selected his own team of key individuals to design and develop construction drawings for CHMA’s first series of single family housing, which were to site in the outlying county areas. Location where there had not been any affordable or lower income hosing ever before.

 

Given a listing of possible sites from CMHA, he had to perform tasks, such as: assess the build ability of sites;locational advantages; determine zoning issues and prepare zone changes if required; formulate solutions to siting the house footprint if site was noted as a priority for purchase; meet with and present the proposed housing plans to each group of local residents; obtain their feedback and incorporate feasible best idea into site design (HUD govern the interior design); once final acceptance had been reached lead design team in completion of Design Development Docs. (Note: Mr. Alexander was able to implement energy saving components and denser insulation in exterior envelope during a time when Green Building has not even enter the public conversation. HUD initially balked at his suggestion)

 

These docs were preliminarily reviewed by each appropriate building department; after feedback was garnered applicable changes were made to design set then construction costing was prepared. Budget numbers was reviewed by HUD, after their approval was given project entered actual construction of 29 Units First Phase

 

Facilitation: Key Groups/Participants

                                                Woodlawn, Hollydale, Lockland, Blue Ash, Springfield Township communities

                                                Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (Client)              

                                                Zoning Committees/ Departments/or Office staff of 5 communities

                                                Public Hearings as required for Zoning Changes

                                                Local office of HUD- meetings, reviews and project reporting

                                                Meeting with local residents, in all areas on proposed new developments and obtaining their feedback

                                                Meeting with proposed new homeowners to get their thoughts on design & functional parameters                                   

Results:

                                                Over $10 million reinvestment in housing development scattered in the Counties

                                                Local jobs targeted for community resident hires, if possible

                                                Energy Enhanced design w/thicker insulation in walls and roof

                                                General Contractors local small businesses utilization

                                                Developed good relationships with Communities where none existed

                                                Successful completion of Phase One, then Phase Two 23 more units