$24 Million Public Housing Complex Breaks Ground In Annapolis

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Crews broke ground on a $24 million public housing development in Annapolis last Friday. The project will replace a demolished public housing site with modern, high-quality apartments.

The community, called Newtowne 20, will have 78 energy-efficient units. Some will be stacked, and others will be garden-style.

The Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis will operate the neighborhood. The public housing agency temporarily moved the residents of the old site. These Annapolitans can move into the new apartments when they open in the spring of 2022.

“Through persistence and determination, we have reached a great milestone in the rebuilding of this great community,” Melissa Maddox-Evans, executive director and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis, said in a press release. “We are glad our residents will be able to have this opportunity for a new start for themselves and their families.”

Real estate developer Pennrose is in charge of the project. The company has also constructed the Obery Court and College Creek builds for the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis.

Pennrose said Newtowne 20 will feature:

• A 3,500-square-foot community clubhouse with amenity spaces
• A new basketball court
• A tot lot

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with HACA as we transform outdated public housing into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood,” Pennrose Regional Vice President Patrick Stewart said in the release. “Today’s milestone brings us one step closer to completing this full-scale revitalization.”

Newtowne 20 is funded through loans, bonds, grants and tax-generated money. More information about the development is available here.

Speakers at the virtual groundbreaking ceremony included:

• Melissa Maddox-Evans, CEO, Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis
• Patrick Stewart, Regional Vice President, Pennrose, LLC
• Joey Tomassoni, Pastor, Downtown Hope
• Ken Holt, Secretary, Department of Housing and Community Development
• Shaneka Henson, House Delegate, District 30A, House of Delegates, State of Maryland
• Steuart Pittman, County Executive, Anne Arundel County
• Sheila Finlayson, Alderwoman, Ward 4, City Council, City of Annapolis
• Jacqueline Wells, Board Chair, Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis
• Glenda Smith, Newtowne 20 Resident
• Mae Singleton, Newtowne 20 Resident
• Toni Strong-Pratt, Community Advocate
• Miles Cary, III, SVP, Community Development Banking, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
• Paul Weissman, Sr. Managing Director, Head of Affordable Housing Production, Lument
• Beverly Wilbourn, Former Executive Director, Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis

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