Davis Workforce Housing (P1), Davis, WV

Housing is a critical issue holding many rural communities back. Davis Workforce Housing Phase 1 designed by To Be Done Studio, addresses this issue through a holistic master plan that ties in mixed-use development and connection to surrounding outdoor recreation. The key to this effort was engagement with local community leaders and the public.

Historically a timber town that faced decline in the early 20th century, Davis, West Virginia, has gradually become a destination for recreational tourism and budding arts-creative communities. The Woodlands Development Group (“Woodlands”), the Tucker County Economic Development Authority, and several other community partners decided to undertake a new workforce housing planning initiative in early 2019, helmed by To Be Done Studio.

‍The loss of college-educated West Virginians to other states, combined with stagnant low wages and limited job opportunities, has created challenges for local businesses wanting to attract a workforce to Davis, WV, and Tucker County.

Driven by a 2015 Housing needs assessment developed by the Woodlands Development Group, it was determined that employers can not find enough workers, and the diminished workforce in the area is made worse by the lack of available quality/affordable housing in the county.

With support from town and county governments and WV’s Housing Finance Agency, Woodlands and the Tucker County Economic Development Authority engaged members of To Be Done Studio, and the West Virginia University Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic, to re-envision the County’s Business/Industrial Park as a site for workforce housing mixed-use development.

Omar Hakeem, TBD's Principal Architect, leading the group through asset mapping activity.
Community partners discuss goals of the housing project and opportunities for collaboration.

To Be Done Studio convened with local partners to identify needs and priorities, reach a consensus on use options, and develop initial site plans for a new campus of single- and multi-family housing and intentionally planned mixed-use development. The proposed scheme complements the natural landscape and reflects the creative culture of the neighboring towns.

Site plan for a phased Davis Workforce Housing identifying 3 sites and protected ecological areas.

Innovative tools such as augmented reality were utilized to visualize future development.
Proposed site uses area linked by road an trail networks connecting to the town of Davis, WV.

Adjacent to a delicate, protected ecological zones, extreme care was taken in the site planning.
The site within the city limits of Davis and is within walking distance to Davis’ downtown.

As the development transitions from mostly business to primarily residential in the southwestern portion of the site, three locations stood out as the best location for new workforce housing in Davis.

The variability of site conditions presented an opportunity to provide a variety of workforce typologies for Tucker County.

On the northeastern corner, the site is a mostly treeless, elevated plain in close proximity to the major artery of the region.

Providing various workforce housing options will inevitably attract and retain workforce members, allowing small businesses to prosper.

Moving southwest through the site, numerous wetlands and increasing density of forest (with the periodic pool of water) suggests smaller, more private building types.
Extensive planning went into each of the 3 sites to reduce the amount of earth moving and environmental disruption.

Economic initiatives and projects will not lead to any real sustainable economic development if employers continue to be unable to find close, adequate housing for their employees or new businesses cannot be located in the area because of a lack of housing options. The people, place, and purpose behind development must always be at the forefront of design, whether big or small.