February 26, 2007

Members of the community gathered at the Charlottesville Design Center to discuss plans that would drastically change their neighborhood.

The Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville is trying to change face to the Sunrise Trailer Court in the city.

Marion Dudley has lived in Sunrise for the past twenty-seven years and she's got nothing but good things to say about the future of her neighborhood.

“I’m very excited. We’ve needed something done in that area for a good long while,” said Dudley.

On Monday, Habitat held their third design workshop with the Charlottesville community to decide how this extreme make over is going to take place.

“We’re redeveloping sunrise trailer park into a mixed income community that will include affordable housing for the people who already live there,” said Overton McGehee, Executive Director for Habitat.

McGehee also said, “Sunrise is a wonderful neighborhood. These are folks that really look after each other. They are wonderful neighbors. “

“They really stepped up the plate and given us exactly what we wanted. They allowed us to put our input into it which I thought was grand,” said Dudley.

McGehee says it all goes back to keeping affordable housing in Charlottesville.

“We need it in the city, close to the bus lines, close to the jobs, so Sunrise is a lot logical place for higher density,” said McGehee.

Residents say its both affordable and safe.

“You can watch out for each other, that's what we've always done in Sunrise and any new family that moves into that park area is going to be welcomed with open arms because we love everybody down there,” said Dudley.

In total this new plan would bring about sixty condos, townhouses and single family homes to Sunrise; habitat also hopes to bring business to the area by using some of the land for commercial space.

They hope to get a final okay from City Council some time this summer and break ground next year.