New housing development marks “new era”, officials say

With one snip during a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Tuesday, Wicomico County entered what some officials call a "new era" for mixed-income housing.

"This is just the first phase of this," says Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver. "We have another phase that we have to tear down now and get ready to get going."

Tuesday marked the grand opening of Stone Grove Crossing, just outside of Salisbury city limits. It's the first phase of redeveloping Booth Street. The former public housing site was constructed in the 1960's.

According to County Executive Culver, it has not always had the best reputation.

"We weren't managing it well and over the years, it became very derelict. It became a piece of property that was not only trouble with maintenance but also with personnel," explains Culver.

Demolition for the first phase began in late 2015, according to Don Bibb.

Bibb, executive director of the Wicomico County Housing Authority, says the 17 million dollar development brings 84 modern apartments. 50 of the apartments have been allocated to prior Booth Street residents, subsidized through a rental assistance program. The remainder are open to the public so long as they meet income and tax credit qualifications.

This is the vision that began ten years ago, he says; however, he admits it hasn't always been easy given the size of the project.

"Finally when we came on board, not to toot my own horn, in 2015 I think HUD felt comfortable in moving forward with the project that point in time," explains Bibb.

Phase two is currently in the works, with demolition expected to begin sometime in 2017.

We're told the replacement homes were initially supposed to be built on its current land; however, Federal Administration Requirements have required developers to move phase two near Merritt Mill Road.

Demolition for phase two is expected to cost around 280,000 dollars, according to Bibb. The hope is continue expand affordable housing in the years to come.

"The Housing Authority's push is to look at other areas in the city where we can help and do revitalization, create home ownership opportunities, so we're looking to partner with a lot of entities," he says.

The Wicomico County Housing Authority says some residents are expected to move in to Stone Grove Crossing on Wednesday. The goal is to have units fully occupied by the end of the year.

For more information on Stone Grove Crossing, click here.