City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 6, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: HELEN S. MCILVAINE, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HOUSING
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a City Loan and City Grant to Renovate and Preserve 1022 Pendleton Street as a Rooming House.
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ISSUE: City funding up to $1.95 million to include a loan of $750,000 and a grant of $1.2 million for renovation and preservation of a rooming house owned and operated by Corrine J. Dixon, LLC.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1) Approve City funding, derived from federal HOME-ARPA grant funds received by the City during the COVID-19 pandemic, of up to $1.95 million to include a loan of $750,000 and a grant of $1.2 million, with both to be secured on the property, for renovation and preservation of a rooming house owned and operated by Corrine J. Dixon, LLC; and
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute such agreements as may be necessary to implement the project.
BACKGROUND: 1022 Pendleton Street is operated as a rooming house serving 8 residents. Although sometimes referred to as a "boarding house," this property does not provide meals or other services typical of traditional boarding houses. The property's ownership entity is Corrine J. Dixon, LLC, a limited liability corporation represented by Ms. Dixon's daughter, Janice Howard. Ms. Dixon, who is deceased, was a prominent black businesswoman and local philanthropist in the second half of the 20th century. Her grandfather, known as "Baker John", bought the Pendleton Street- Parker Gray neighborhood property around 1910 and turned the house, with a separate commercial space, into a 10-bedroom family home with a successful bakery attached. Ms. Dixon was well-known in Alexandria's black community for her generosity in supporting the personal needs, educational attainmen...
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