John’s Trailer Park was regarded as the most blighted property in
Morgan Hill. Slum-like conditions throughout the 2.9-acre site
produced serious health and law-enforcement problems. A non-profit
affordable housing developer, South County Housing, and the Morgan
Hill Redevelopment Agency hired Weston Miles Architects to create
a new, safe and attractive affordable housing community for very
low-income residents. Fourteen single-wide, dilapidated trailers,
two houses and two duplexes were replaced by 34 new units housed
in buildings that reflect the nearby single-family homes. The
project's two existing fourplexes, landscaping, and streetscape
were redesigned to blend in with the new units. In all, Villa
Ciolino provides 42 one-, two- and three-bedroom units for the
existing and new residents.
Two community rooms, a tot lot, a basketball hoop and play area are
now available to the Villa Ciolino residents. There are areas for
barbeques, picnics and private gardens along the banks of the creek
that runs through the site. The Villa Ciolino creek area is at
the beginning of the south portion of the Creekside Trail, the
major
north/south bike and walking trails through town.
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