Carleton Cos. to redevelop oldest African American housing complex

The City of Austin has plans to redevelop the country’s oldest African American public housing complex into an affordable residential district.

Carleton Companies and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin plan to transform the 83-year-old Rosewood Courts in East Austin into the new Pathways at Rosewood Courts development with all-new income-restricted residential units, Community Impact reported. Eight of the original buildings will remain as part of an historic district, while the others will be replaced.

“This is for the families that will come after us. Instead of it just being a roof over our heads, it will be a place we are proud to call home and feel comfortable inviting people over,” Steve Whichard, a 10-year tenant and member of the Rosewood Courts Resident Council, said about the project.

Pathways at Rosewood Courts (Housing Authority of the City of Austin)

Plans call for a “commemorative green space” in the restored Emancipation Park, a block of 12 affordable townhouse units, three new multifamily buildings and two parking lots. The historic district will retain eight of the 1930s-era buildings and modernize the 20 apartment units within.

“We’re really helping to solidify Rosewood Courts as that cultural landmark for the East Austin community — and really on the national level,” the housing authority’s Sylvia Blanco told the outlet earlier this year.

The property’s residents have already been relocated and will be offered the chance to return to the development when it opens. The housing authority expects to begin construction in the coming weeks and complete the project by fall 2024.

“We will be keeping tabs with all relocated families throughout construction and anticipate that at least 60 to 80 percent of families will want to return,” housing authority spokesperson Jeff Patterson told the outlet. “Families have the first right to return upon construction completion. All moving expenses will be covered.”

The development team plans to work with the community to name the new residential buildings after notable African Americans from East Side history, Blanco said.

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