Allen Iverson Granted Approval From City Council For Affordable Housing Project In His Virginia Hometown – AfroTech
An affordable housing project supported by NBA great Allen Iverson in Newport News, VA, is moving forward.
Iverson Landing
13 News reports that Iverson teamed up with developer Alvin Keels Jr. on the project named Iverson Landing, which is geared toward working families and part of an overall effort to increase housing options in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones has also been vocal about affordable housing options with a goal of opening 21,000 affordable housing units by 2050, and he intends to reach it by working with emerging developers “who will shape the future of our communities,” he said in a Facebook post. This puts Iverson and Keels’ project squarely in line with a broader agenda to invest in affordable housing.
The Iverson Landing will be based in Newport News, Iverson’s hometown, which he credits with shaping the person he is today — an NBA legend, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, tech investor, and vice president of Reebok Basketball.
“I grew up here in Newport News, the city that helped shape me into who I am today. I know what it means to struggle for every opportunity, and to dream for a better future,” Iverson said, according to WAVY 10. “Being able to invest in the place that gave so much to me is quite an honor. Iverson Landing is an opportunity to create something positive for local families, a place where people can feel secure, build their futures and develop pride in where they live. This is my way of saying thank you for all the doors that were opened for me, to now be able to open doors for others.”
Keels commented:
“Our goal is simple: to build something that adds value to the community and provides quality housing for families who call Newport News home.”
Newport News City Council greenlit a zoning change for the housing project, which will be a 120-unit apartment complex located on Old Fort Eustis Boulevard, according to WAVY 10.
Complex reports that the project will be finalized within 18 to 24 months.
“We’re committed to developing a very nice project,” Keels said, per Complex. “We look forward to bringing something nice to Newport News.”
