NORFOLK, Va. — The St. Pauls Redevelopment Project in Norfolk is well underway with the next phase expected to start this coming fall.
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The former Tidewater Gardens public housing complex sat in between St. Paul's Boulevard and Tidewater Drive, and it was torn down a few years ago.
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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Norfolk holds groundbreaking for Tidewater Gardens Transformation Project
Now, the city is trying to get more businesses involved in the building process. The city plans to award $30 million in construction contracts for the building phase.
On Thursday, the city and the general contractor hosted a vendor fair in an effort to get more minority-owned and women-owned firms involved in the redevelopment process.
"Breeden is partnering with the developer and city of Norfolk housing authority to bring 25.3% of minorities and women-owned businesses as part of the overall development," Mark Roy with Breeden Construction, said.
The redevelopment will include 618 apartment units. A few blocks are under construction.
One consultant told News 3's Leondra Head the goal is to have a certain amount of women-owned and minority-owned firms involved with demolition, landscaping, carpentry, electrical and HVAC services.
"Typically minorities don’t get these types of opportunities. For them to have an event like this and be able to mingle with some of the people who are in the position to give us the work, it’s a great opportunity," Derrick Gaye, the owner of Dominion Builders said.
Gaye says he hopes to get a piece of the pie. He says the redevelopment project hits close to home for him.
"I use to live in Tidewater Gardens. I’m hoping to go back out there and getting some of the work and giving it back to the residents," Gaye said.
Norfolk Councilman John Paige says the city plans to award millions in construction contracts for the building phase, with certain contracts awarded to women and minority-owned firms.
"The federal money we received was based on getting minorities, specifically black folks involved in the commerce process. Other segments of this community have gotten wealthy off of doing business with the city of Norfolk," Paige said.
The city says the development will be mixed-income housing. They also say former Tidewater residents are welcome to move back.
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