The first phase of the Park Morton reconstruction project is almost ready to open – more than 140 units of income-restricted housing, with one-, two-, three- and even a four-bedroom unit, to accommodate families of all sizes.  

Current and former Park Morton residents, who were told they’d be able to move back to the site, will have the first right to these units. A little over a dozen individuals and families live in the remaining older Park Morton buildings across Morton Street and will be able to move in as early as late March. Others, who have dispersed across the District, will also be able to move in if they want.  

This project was first envisioned years ago and approved in 2008. I’ve promised since my first term in office to build more affordable housing across Ward 1and specifically for the residents of Park Morton, who were promised this long ago.  

I got to tour the building in its almost -finished state and I’ve got to tell you, I am excited! It’s a beautiful building that will offer dignified housing worthy of our residents. The rooms are sunny and roomy, there’s a common room, mail room, special space for children, parking and bike storage, a place to bathe pets and other amenities. There will also soon be a playground and dog run, both available to the public in addition to residents. 

In the next phase, the remaining old Park Morton buildings will be demolished – as soon as the residents there are able to move into the new building. The city will build townhouses – some for sale with income restrictions. 

This project, along with the planned construction at the former Bruce Monroe site down the road, both contribute to the more than 1,500 units of affordable housing since 2019 – and over 2,100 since I started as a councilmember in 2015. 

Bruce Monroe was supposed to be the “build first” site for the residents of Park Morton, but court cases halted any progress. A court finally ruled last year that the city can move forward with hundreds of additional housing units, many of them affordable, and a beautiful new park, which neighbors will get to weigh in on. 

And not too far down the road from there, the Park View Recreation Center is getting ready for a $15 million modernization project. 

I’m thrilled to see this great surge in affordable housing and amenities in the Park View neighborhood and seeing our long-term vision for the community coming to fruition.