Business & Tech

Housing Development Envisioned for Riverview

Enterprise Homes proposes developing 54 lease-to-own townhomes on Hollins Ferry Road.

A developer is proposing building a 54-unit townhouse development on Hollins Ferry Road—which would be the first new large-scare house construction in Riverview in decades.

Representatives of Enterprise Homes and Severn Management have begun making presentations of preliminary conceptual plans to community groups in the hopes of winning their support in the Planned Unit Development process.

Known as Hollins Place, the development is planned to occupy a six-acre parcel on the north side of the 4300 block of Hollins Ferry Rd., next to a spot planned for a new station for Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Department.

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According to Ned Howe, senior director of Enterprise Homes, the development would feature an innovative approach that targets people who want to be homeowners but are unable to qualify for a mortgage.

To be eligible for Hollins Place, prospective residents must be employed and have an income between $25,000-55,000, pass credit and background checks, and have a desire to become homeowners, Howe said.

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Residents would be required to participate in home maintenance classes and the resident association, and take part in a homeowner counseling program, according to Howe.

According to Howe, residents would rent the townhouses for 15 years for $860-$1,029 per month, after which they would be eligible to buy the property.

Enterprise Homes is a for-profit unit of Enterprise Community Partners, founded in 1982 by developer James Rouse to finance and develop affordable housing.

In February, Enterprise Homes unveiled plans for a 90-unit senior housing project called the Greens at English Consul on Oak Road in Baltimore Highlands, the construction of which should begin in the spring of 2013, according to Howe.

Response to the Hollins Place plans was mixed. During meetings of the Lansdowne Improvement Association and the Riverview Improvement Association, residents expressed concern about traffic, crime at nearby housing developments, and overcrowding at Riverview Elementary School.

"This is a tough community," Brenda Harney, chair of the Southwest Leadership Team said during a presentation. "I'm not sure your program is the best for us."

Others said that the $20 million development could be catalyst for positive change in the community.

"I think this project will be a jump start for the community," said Chris Koloski, vice president of Lansdowne Improvement Association. "It will be a positive for the community."

Howe pointed out that the presentations to community groups are just the first steps of a long process that will include many more meetings during which residents will have opportunity to provide feedback about the development.


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