Building the Foundation for Affordable Housing in Sanford
Every neighborhood begins with a vision. Turning that vision into reality requires more than building homes. It takes thoughtful planning, collaboration, and the infrastructure needed to create a place where people can live, grow, and thrive.
In Sanford, North Carolina, that vision is taking shape at W.T. Wilson Ridge, a new affordable housing development designed to expand housing opportunities and strengthen the community. McGill is proud to support this effort by providing surveying, environmental services, site design, and water and wastewater infrastructure design.
Led by a partnership between the City of Sanford, Brick Capital Community Development Corporation, Lee County, and other community organizations, W.T. Wilson Ridge will provide much-needed affordable housing for local residents.
The first phase includes a 16-unit apartment complex dedicated to permanent supportive housing and 12 single-family homes. A future phase will add 36 single-family homes, bringing the total to 48 single-family homes when the development is complete.
Laying the Groundwork for a New Neighborhood
Before the first foundation is poured, a tremendous amount of work happens behind the scenes. From understanding the land's existing conditions to designing the systems that will serve future residents, engineering plays an essential role in transforming an undeveloped property into a connected neighborhood.
At W.T. Wilson Ridge, the infrastructure improvements include water and wastewater utilities, streets, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and stormwater and drainage improvements.
McGill's multidisciplinary team is helping lay the groundwork for these improvements. Surveying provides the accurate information needed to guide design decisions, while environmental services help identify and address site considerations. Grading and site design establish how the land will accommodate new homes and infrastructure, and water and wastewater design helps ensure the development has the essential services needed to support future residents.
While much of this work may go unnoticed once construction is complete, it is fundamental to creating a safe, functional, and sustainable neighborhood.
A Collaborative Investment in Affordable Housing
W.T. Wilson Ridge is more than a residential development. It represents a community-wide commitment to making homeownership more attainable and creating opportunities for residents who need stable, affordable housing.
A key component of the development is its community land trust model, managed by Brick Capital Community Development Corporation. Under this approach, the organization retains ownership of the land while qualified buyers purchase their homes. By removing the cost of the land from the purchase price, the model helps reduce barriers to homeownership while preserving affordability for future generations.
Bringing this vision to life has required significant collaboration and investment. The City of Sanford and Lee County each committed $850,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support infrastructure improvements. Additional investments include $950,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding, more than $4 million from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency for the apartment complex, and $450,000 from the Golden LEAF Foundation for infrastructure.
Together, these investments represent more than $7 million in funding dedicated to expanding affordable housing and providing the infrastructure necessary to support the development.
The project reached an important milestone on October 28, 2026, when community leaders and project partners gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking, marking the beginning of construction and the next chapter for W.T. Wilson Ridge.
Shaping Communities Through Engineering
Projects like W.T. Wilson Ridge demonstrate that engineering is about more than plans, utilities, and infrastructure. It's about creating the foundation for stronger communities.
For future residents, the completed development will mean access to affordable housing, essential services, and a place to call home. For the City of Sanford and its partners, it represents a long-term investment in the community's future.
"Witnessing firsthand the passion and collaboration of the vested partners to make this subdivision an affordable location where families can call home, and a positive community to raise their families, was very inspirational. It was an honor for our team to be a part of their efforts to bring this community to a reality. Truly a great example of 'Shaping Communities Together." – Andy T. Lamm, McGill Senior Project Manager
McGill is proud to collaborate on a project that brings together public investment, community partnerships, and thoughtful development to address an important local need.
