GCCDS and the South Mississippi Housing and Development Corporation (SMHD) have successfully wrapped up the first phase of the Enterprise Community Partners Inc. pre-development design grant. This pilot program is intended to help enable the developers to define project goals, identify challenges, explore multiple design solutions and increase collaboration. The grant encourages lasting changes in the pre-development design process of affordable housing by providing an opportunity to bring together a diverse network of potential architects, the developers, city leaders and other experts to establish a robust development team from the onset of the project.

SMHD has chosen to focus on the senior living project “Villages at the Beverly” in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. GCCDS facilitated a unique, day-long work shop for 4 design teams compromised of architects from all over the state.

The workshop focused on the development of the program, history of the site and its relation to the city and potential green building strategies for the project. The day also included an opportunity for the whole development team to visit the site, and concluded with each of the design teams giving a short presentation about first impressions for the project.

The GCCDS and SMHD will meet with all of the design teams in 4-6 weeks to review their presentations for the Villages at the Beverly.