Origins (1944-1979)
First Mass Condemnations (1944)
The first public housing project in Alexandria, according to the City's own list, was actually the 15-unit Ramsey Homes built in 1942 and located at N. Patrick, Pendleton and Wythe Streets,
This article refers to Samuel Madden Uptown and Samuel Madden Downtown. Samuel Madden Downtown was built in the heart of the older historic area known as the Berg, which ultimately became the intercheangeable term for the neighborhood and the project. The Berg was demolished and replaced by the Chatham Square mixed income project in 2005 following a decade of controversy and lawsuits by the tenant association.
51 Families Displaced, Temporarily Housed in Trailers (1944)
The impact of the condemnations on local families.
City Housing Plan Imperiled by Lawsuits (1952)
A discussion of the early plans for James Bland.
Contracting Delays and Secret Bids (1952)
ARHA attempts to circumvent rules to hire union contractors to build James Bland.
New Slum Demolition Plan Draws Fire (1954)
This proposed housing project, bounded by Duke, King, and West Streets to Hooff's Run, appears never to have gotten off the ground.
More Demolitions Planned (1960)
Although the City's list states that James Bland Addition was built in 1959, it appears that this article is referring to Bland, which would make the construction date a little later.
New Housing Project Approved (1960)
The City approves an unnamed project, probably James Bland Addition.
ARHA Chair Boswell in Hot Water (1960)
An article illustrating how controversial ARHA chairmen have always been. In this case, the chairman was a slumlord himself.
Civil Rights Veteran Challenges Demolition for Adkins Project (1964)
Civil rights activist Otto Tucker fights for his properties on Wythe Street, which the City plans to condemn to make way for the future Andrew Adkins public housing project.
The 1980s
Public Housing Pressure: An Alexandria Case Study (1980)
Alexandria's Housing Projects Eyed by Baltimore Developer (1981)
Baltimore developer Morton Sarubin proposes to acquire Alexandria's public housing units, move tenants elsewhere.
Black Ministers Urge Alexandria to Save Housing (1981)
Council Turns Down Developer's Proposal (1981)
The City Council votes down a proposal from Baltimore developer Morton Sarubin, who sought to purchase eight of the City's nine subsidized housing projects.
Alexandria to Maintain Housing (1981)
The 1972 Resolution 830 is upheld and amended to protect 1,150 units of public housing.
John Roberts Homes: Holding Onto the Old (1981)
John Roberts Homes were located on the site of the present-day Colecroft. In earlier days, it was a whites-only segregated public housing structure.
Alexandria Group Endorses Mixed-Use Housing (1981)
Life to Change for Tenants in Alexandria Housing Project (1982)
Article describes dispersion plans for John Roberts tenants.
Memo Saying "Tenants Live Like Pigs" Brews Storm (1982)
Controversial memo from then-ARHA Director Angus Olson (a white).
Alexandria Housing Agency in Peril (1982)
ARHA overestimates value of John Roberts site, receives only one bid for redevelopment from Sarubin.
Alexandria's Berg is in Hot Water (1983)
The Post's map incorrectly shows the Berg encompassing most of Parker-Gray!
Alexandria Eyes Complexes to House Poor (1983)
Cameron Valley was eventually torn down and redeveloped. It isn't clear if Dominion Gardens and the complexes mentioned in the article are what ultimately became Glebe Park.
Alexandria Housing Plan (1984)
ARHA begins overhaul of George Parker Project, which is renamed Hopkins-Tancil Court. The site is adjacent to the Berg but was not part of the Chatham Square development. ARHA states there is no money to overhaul the Berg.
