The ground rules agreed to at previous meetings, which have been held since April, included ideas that all stakeholders’ needs and desires will be considered but not necessarily granted if they are not feasible. The givens included plans for a mixed income development, which will represent various income levels and include units for rental and home ownership. Priority will be given to former residents. All public housing or rental units for families will have a five-year plan focusing on aggressive home ownership goals. A senior building of 500 units will be a part of the overall plan but will not have the ownership focus.

Former resident Theresa King said, “I think this is a good opportunity for home ownership. I want my kids to grow up in a safe environment. I am a hard worker and have been working since I was 14. By the time I get to be a senior citizen, my home will be paid for.”

Two sisters who grew up in the Sheridan Apartments, Liz and Sheila Taylor, are looking forward to moving into the new mixed-use community. Liz said, “When I had to move away, it felt strange. I had grown up in the community and was not used to living anywhere else. I look forward to being able to move back to Sheridan Terrace and being a home owner.”

Her sister, Sheila, said, “We were one of the only families that were intact living in the community with mother, father and siblings. I enjoyed growing up in the community. It was a close knit community. I won’t be able to afford to move back into the community without moving back into the new Sheridan Terrace. I can’t afford to buy anywhere else in D.C.”

Liz said that where she is living now is around 22 nd and Benning Road and “my landlord doesn’t want to sell to me or anyone else now because that area is now considered to be part of Capitol Hill and he is holding on because he knows the cost of housing is increasing.”

Local pastor, Rev. Coates, said, “The community is playing a critical role in planning this project. It is not something dropped on them.”

The community will meet again the following week to finalize plans so that an application can be made to HUD for the grant to build the Sheridan Terrace HOPE VI site. All involved are hopeful the plan will be chosen by HUD. If so, the project will take about three years to complete before people can expect to move in, according to Dwyer.

William R. Smith will be the developer of the new project.