Palmdale city officials arguably have the gift of foresight. Long before gas prices skyrocketed, they set out to develop the Transit Village Housing Development, which will create a cluster of housing options near the Palmdale Transportation Center. In recognition of the city’s visionary plan, the California Department of Housing and Community Development recently awarded Palmdale $9.9 million in funding to assist with the first phase of the project. Made up of a 121-unit of town homes and 156 apartments that will occupy the area between Sierra Highway, Technology Drive, Third Street East and Avenue Q-3, the Transit Village Housing Development will provide workforce and affordable housing opportunities for both low- and middle-income families. Of the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s decision to award the multimillion dollar grant to the city, Neighborhood Preservation Specialist Mike Miller said, “We had the highest scoring application for all applications submitted for Southern California. We knew this project was the perfect fit for this type of money, and we were recognized for the fact that we had the first development of this type for this region.” The funding Palmdale received is earmarked for the project’s infrastructure, utilities, parking and land acquisition, according to the city. Its other features include a playground area, a swimming pool and a catwalk to joint together its discrete entities. Miller said that Palmdale was in consideration with well over 30 cities to obtain such funding from the state. “We feel really good about the funds we received because this will really help this project get off the ground,” he said. Matt Tambor, president of Community Development Associates, the company that will develop the project’s town home and affordable housing component, added, “This is an extremely deserving project. That’s not to say they’re not other deserving projects.” Palmdale already has more than $4 million set aside in housing funds, $2.2 million reserved for first time homebuyers and a $30,000 grant for down payment assistance for first time homebuyers. Now that it has received $9.9 million from the state, the city’s next move is to apply for tax credit funds. The project will cost $85 million in its entirety. Construction on the project will likely begin in the first or second quarter of next year and will take 18 months to finish, according to Tambor. Due to the project’s scope, Miller said that a number of nonprofits declined to get involved when asked by the city. “This project was just way beyond them,” he said. “There will be so much time and money and energy in bringing this project together. We knew it was an ambitious first phase, but we’re very committed. We’ve been working on this project for two-and-a-half years up to this point.” The project may be lofty, but Tambor believes the timing is right for it because of the role it will play in getting people off the roads and onto public transit. Moreover, “We’re taking an area that is underutilized and creating a new vibrant hub that’s going to help the city economy a lot,” he said. “We’re providing a significant amount of affordable housing and workforce housing, which in L.A. County is extremely needed.” In addition, Community Development Associates will aim to keep the construction jobs the development will generate within city limits. Miller believes that the project will also make an impact because it is being developed with the future in mind. “This has a vision of 20 years down the road,” he said. “People don’t think that far ahead. Twenty years from now, it will still be there and still be considered a well-thought out first phase.” The next phase of the project will have a mix of retail and residential. This will further enable residents to remain off roads, as they will be able to do their shopping by foot. And, because Palmdale isn’t already urbanized, developing the project won’t require the city to demolish existing properties, according to Miller. Furthermore, “The quality of life will be closely regulated,” he said. “The project will always be in a presentable condition. We will keep this standard high.”
