ACS Chosen for Suffolk Faigrounds Project
By Dave Forster
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 9, 2009
SUFFOLK
A Portsmouth company has been tapped to build the most ambitious redevelopment project in Suffolk's history - again.
This time around, the project is a lot smaller.
City staff this week told Associated Contracting Services that its proposal for the $17 million project was "in the best interest" of the city, beating out one other finalist. The two sides still must finalize the deal.
"I think all parties involved are eager to get this under way," said Charles Felder, development director for the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Associated Contracting was slated to be the general contractor for the project two years ago, with Maryland-based Cornerstone Housing LLC as the master developer.
But the city sought new proposals after the City Council voted last year to build a public health building at The Fairgrounds, drastically changing plans for the 17-acre site.
This time, Cornerstone Housing is no longer in the picture, and Associated Contracting is set to be the master developer. The company has done much of its work in Portsmouth, where it is working in the Westbury development, and in Norfolk, said Gary Haste, its director of development.
Haste said the latest proposal calls for about 34 single-family homes and 36 multi family units. They would be sold at a mix of affordable and market prices.