Portsmouth public housing community gets a face-lift

The Lincoln Park public housing community in Portsmouth is being redeveloped as Lexington Place in a massive redevelopment launched Tuesday.

The first phase of construction of the new public housing complex, expected to cost $16 million, will include 72 townhouse-style apartments, and once the entire project is completed, Lexington Place will have 144 residential units at the intersection of Frederick and Deep Creek boulevards.

Housing authority officials say the move-in process could begin in early 2021, and residents can move in gradually during the completion of construction. Residents will receive project-based Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher assistance, the authority said.

The new community replaces nearly 60-year-old, 178-unit Lincoln Park. Demolished in April, it was one of the oldest and largest public housing communities in the city.

“The Lexington Place project is an important investment in Portsmouth citizens and an exciting milestone for the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority,” Alisa S. Winston, PRHA deputy executive director, said in a statement.

Breeden Construction, with Richmond and Virginia Beach offices, is the general contractor, and Saunders+Crouse Architects is designing the project. Philadelphia-based Pennrose LLC is the developer.

Breeden has been involved in other Portsmouth projects, including the construction of 134 apartment units at Harbor Vista and the acquisition of multifamily and commercial property Montgomery Square.