This past Wednesday, the Corpus Christi Housing Authority (CCHA) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to launch its latest endeavor to revitalize this historic area. Construction has officially commenced, with shovels breaking ground on a new housing development at the former Lozano Elementary School site.
A Project Years in the Making
Gary Alsup, CEO and President of CCHA, expressed excitement over the long-awaited project. “This has been over two years in the making,” Alsup said, reflecting on the journey that led to this moment. After purchasing the property last year, the CCHA is preparing to transform the site into a vibrant new community. “We’re excited to get these houses up and to put 40 new homes in this area. It’s going to be big for this community, it’s going to be big for Corpus Christi, and it is big for Thanksgiving Homes.”
The development, led by Thanksgiving Homes, a subsidiary of CCHA, will feature at least 40 homes, including single-family residences and two-story houses. This project aligns with CCHA’s broader mission of fostering solid, thriving neighborhoods across Corpus Christi.
Building the American Dream
Alsup emphasized the significance of homeownership in achieving the American dream. “Living in a three-bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of a building doesn’t quite capture the essence of the American dream,” he said. The dream is still, in today’s world, a three-bedroom house with a picket fence, two and a half kids, and a dog. That’s the vision here. We wanted to make and build housing that would be a neighborhood.”
The new development is set to embody this vision, offering a community where families can plant roots and create lasting memories. The construction of these homes represents a step toward making the dream of homeownership a reality for many in Corpus Christi.
Honoring a Dedicated Employee
As the CCHA celebrated the start of construction, they took a moment to honor one of their long-serving employees. They acknowledged Robert Anderson, who has dedicated over 35 years to the company, and acknowledged his unwavering commitment and service. In a heartfelt gesture, they decided to name one of the streets in the future, which is a new development after Anderson.
Anderson reflected on the honor, saying, “It was a glorious surprise, and it’s turned into a wonderful feeling of pride and honor that they would do this,” expressing his deep gratitude for the recognition.
Affordable Housing with a Twist
The plan initially categorized the homes on the former Lozano Elementary School site as affordable housing. However, this plan has since evolved. Alsup clarified that the project will not receive government funding and that they will price the homes at approximately $200,000. Notably, this price point sits slightly below the average for a single-family home in Corpus Christi, making it an appealing choice for potential buyers.
Meanwhile, even though the development is expected to be fully completed in a couple of years, the CCHA has ambitious plans to begin selling these homes by the end of this year. As construction advances, excitement builds around this transformative project, which promises to enhance the Corpus Christi community and create new homeownership opportunities.