The Regional Transportation Commission held a public meeting Thursday to talk about the possibility of building affordable housing near several bus stops. The organization has been conducting a study on affordable housing since March. RTC says the decisions coming out of the affordable housing study may end up affecting hundreds of people.
RTC says it's about half way through the study. Part of that process includes a public hearing that was held on Thursday. “We're asking for feedback on a few sites,” said RTC Planning Director Amy Cummings. ”They really didn't talk about what contractors they wanted to use or what affordable housing is,” said local resident David Jhonattan. “It was worth my time to come out and here about it. It's a great concept,” said local resident Gayla Ouelette.
The RTC says what it's come up with so far are 4 possible sites that might be appealing for affordable housing. The first involves several locations along Airway Drive.“We have completed some road projects several years ago, and there is some leftover property,” said Cummings.
The second location involves a spot along Clear Acre Lane. “We have a lot of van pool participants in our community. And we would have more places for them to use as Park and Rides. But we would have some property left over as well, “ said Cummings.
Another location would involve the transit facility at Meadowood Mall. A potential plan would move RTC's bus facility to the other side of the mall. Where it would be closer to TMCC and have more space available.” We would have potential joint development on some of those vacant parcels in that area,” said Cummings.
The purchase and redevelopment of property near the transit station at Virginia Street and Gentry Way could also provide some additional opportunities. “We want to expand what is one of our small stations into a full size station,” said Cummings.
The last two options may be enough for RTC to qualify for some grants to pay for affordable housing in those areas. “We may be able to qualify for funding through the Federal Transit Administration to partner with private developers for the development of affordable housing,” said Cummings.
