City of Hampton to purchase Harbor Square Apartments

As part of its downtown plan, the City of Hampton plans to purchase and demolish Harbor Square Apartments.

The 18-acre property with its 368-unit complex along West Pembroke Avenue will cost the city about $13.4 million, nearly $4 million less than its assessed value. Immediate demolition was not part of the original offer, which was to run the property for several years. However, in a press release about the purchase, City Manager Mary Bunting said "when we were able to inspect the units and see the extent of the problems, we knew they needed to come down sooner."

Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority will assist residents, who may remain in Harbor Square until the expiration of their current leases, with locating new apartments, including those who accept Section 8 vouchers.

Sherry Spring, the Downtown Hampton Development Parternship's executive director, said in the press release that "developing new and better uses for the property ... is key to the future of downtown Hampton," adding that "a downtown district with more activity [will grow] the city's tax base."

In addition to higher value housing and public spaces, the downtown master plan calls for streets to be extended through the area. The property may also be the location of the city's new courthouse.

Filed under: GOVERNMENT