dallastophoenix
16 January 2004, 03:39 PM
New development plan builds on another's success
09:26 PM CST on Tuesday, January 13, 2004
By NORMA ADAMS-WADE / The Dallas Morning News
All of the more than 275 homes in the faith-based housing development Unity Estates in Oak Cliff have been sold. Now members of the nonprofit African-American Pastors Coalition are planning to build another housing community, on a 6.7-acre location to be disclosed later. The pastors and ministers from more than 50 predominantly black churches are keeping most of the details of the project under wraps for now. They plan to formally announce their plans at the coalition's annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observance Monday. In the meantime, coalition members say their new initiative will involve building businesses with loft homes above them. A new bank also will be part of the development, some members say.
The pastors created a buzz in 1999 when they announced the development of a 58-acre tract of land near the intersection of Hampton and Camp Wisdom roads. Unity Estates was distinct as a faith-based housing development financed with about $5 million from banks, private lenders and the churches. The price of the average 1,900-square foot, three-bedroom homes ranged from $70,000 to $130,000. A park and jogging trail are at the center of the development. Because it was a new concept, the development was watched closely. The announcement that all the homes have been sold and planning is under way for another development is a sign of success.
09:26 PM CST on Tuesday, January 13, 2004
By NORMA ADAMS-WADE / The Dallas Morning News
All of the more than 275 homes in the faith-based housing development Unity Estates in Oak Cliff have been sold. Now members of the nonprofit African-American Pastors Coalition are planning to build another housing community, on a 6.7-acre location to be disclosed later. The pastors and ministers from more than 50 predominantly black churches are keeping most of the details of the project under wraps for now. They plan to formally announce their plans at the coalition's annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observance Monday. In the meantime, coalition members say their new initiative will involve building businesses with loft homes above them. A new bank also will be part of the development, some members say.
The pastors created a buzz in 1999 when they announced the development of a 58-acre tract of land near the intersection of Hampton and Camp Wisdom roads. Unity Estates was distinct as a faith-based housing development financed with about $5 million from banks, private lenders and the churches. The price of the average 1,900-square foot, three-bedroom homes ranged from $70,000 to $130,000. A park and jogging trail are at the center of the development. Because it was a new concept, the development was watched closely. The announcement that all the homes have been sold and planning is under way for another development is a sign of success.