NATIONAL CITY, CA — National City civic leaders and community groups joined Related California (Related) and Community HousingWorks to break ground today on phase one of Paradise Creek, a two-phased affordable housing development totaling 201 homes on six acres of land in National City’s Westside neighborhood. The development is a joint venture between Related and Community HousingWorks. “With this project, the City is continuing the long process of reversing a history of incompatible uses and underutilization of key sites on the west side of National City. We are also setting a benchmark for smarter development in National City, linking residents and businesses to multiple forms of transit that promote sustainability and furthers economic opportunity,” said National City Mayor Ron Morrison at the event. The City of National City was recently awarded more than $9.2 million in redevelopment grants and loans, financed from cap-and-trade pollution funds to finance phase two of Paradise Creek and to enhance National City’s surrounding educational park and trail, bike lanes, pathways, and intersection improvements. “This new transit-oriented community will enhance National City by providing high quality, affordable housing for qualified residents,” said Related Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Witte. “This development is made possible by the efforts of our committed community partners. I would especially like to recognize the City and Environmental Health Coalition, who were instrumental in gathering community support during the early phases of this development.” Located in the vicinity of the 24th Street Transit Center, the first phase of Paradise Creek will contain an initial 109 family homes available to qualified residents in the surrounding area, two residential buildings, outdoor amenities such as pedestrian walks, picnic areas, structured and natural play areas, a significant open ‘Village Green’, intimate plazas, a 6,000 square foot ‘Commons’ building containing both management and social services to serve the needs of the residents along with a fitness area, learning/computer center, conference rooms, multipurpose room, and outdoor terrace and sitting areas. Paradise Creek’s landscaping will complement the building architecture, consistent with the intent of the Westside Neighborhood Specific Plan and respectful of the surrounding community. Paradise Creek will additionally include street and boundary landscaping to create a compatible and consistent neighborhood street scene and appropriate and visually appealing buffers to adjacent properties. “Working collaboratively with the City and community partners, we have planned this affordable rental community that will revitalize the neighborhood, serve as a model of sustainable transit-oriented smart growth, and expand the employment base in National City," said Sue Reynolds, President and CEO of Community HousingWorks. "Further, our on-site, after school programs and coaching will empower residents to create financial sustainability, move up in the world, and achieve next-generation success.” The first phase of Paradise Creek is expected to be completed in November 2016. More information is available at www.paradisecreekliving.com
