Effingham/Elm

In October of 1997, the City of Portsmouth was one of 27 localities nationwide awarded a $24.8 million Federal Hope VI grant to replace the 663-unit Ida Barbour public housing community located on 41 acres near Downtown.  Its replacement, Westbury, is a signature Portsmouth neighborhood which builds on the best architectural styles represented throughout our historic city.  It is a mixed-income community of 278 units for rental and home ownership.  Phase I is sold out and Phase II began construction in the fall of 2001. Westbury will convert the property to a taxable status and is expected to yield a tax-base return on investment of $2.9 million over five years. The Effingham/Elm Committee is addressing the entrances and interiors of the Westbury neighborhood. Structurally, Elm Avenue is being redesigned for continuity of width. Landscape plans have been developed to improve the beauty of this entrance as well.