Oaks IV development reopens this week

GALVESTON — Some residents displaced by Hurricane Ike will be able to come home to the Oaks IV, a Galveston Housing redevelopment that opens Friday.

The homes, built at the former site of Palm Terrace, are part of a plan to rebuild the island’s public housing destroyed during Hurricane Ike.

The development boasts 40 one-bedroom units at about 639 square feet each. Each house includes a kitchen outfitted with new appliances, front and back porches, washer and dryer connections and a living room.

Homes at the Oaks IV are raised 2 feet, 6 inches above base flood elevation. When Ike struck in 2008, the Palm Terrace houses, standing at 11 feet, 3 inches, flooded with 2 inches of water.

“We are finally going to get some people back into their homes,” said James Dennis, president of the Galveston Redevelopment and Community Enterprise, which oversees the Oaks IV. “It’s a great feeling to know that after two-plus years, people are coming back.”

Moving In

More than a year after the city council approved a site plan for the Oaks IV, the housing authority will welcome back displaced residents.

Housing authority officials have estimated more than 1,000 people are on a waiting list to move into island public housing, including those washed out of their houses after the 2008 storm.

“It’s a beautiful neighborhood,” Dennis said. “I hope (Friday) we have moving trucks and we’re passing out keys. I would love to see the place filled up for the grand opening.”

The housing authority started accepting applications for leasing in late June.

“First and foremost, the residents who were living here before have first priority,” Dennis said.

The new homes, spread out near 45th Street, cost about $3.5 million to build. The development is funded with 2005-11 Replacement Housing Factor funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The courtyard is beautiful,” Dennis said. “The houses are new. It’s a really nice neighborhood.”

Part Of A Plan

The Oaks IV opening will be the first met goal in the housing authority’s rebuilding plan. The plan also includes building a maximum of 247 units on scattered sites and at least 282 mixed-income homes placed in mixed-income communities near the former public housing sites at Magnolia Homes, in the 1600 block of The Strand, and Cedar Terrace, in the 2900 block of Ball Street.

Homes also could be built at any other properties the master developer chooses to acquire, if the new parcels are approved by the housing authority.

The final rebuilding plan has been contingent on the hiring of a master developer, who will oversee the mixed-income developments.

In late June, the housing authority board of commissioners approved hiring McCormack Baron Salazar, a St. Louis-based developer. Any plan the developer designs would have to be approved by planning commission, the city council and the state.

“We’re trying to transform lives,” Dennis said. “It’s not just about bricks and mortar, and hiring these guys is going to get us there.”

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At A Glance

WHAT: The Oaks grand opening

WHEN: 9 a.m. Friday

WHERE: 4127 Ave. H