As Holsten Development Corp. prepares for construction and renovation of Riverdale's Pacesetter neighborhood, the company must take care not to lose a piece of history.

"They are historically significant buildings," said Andrea Klopfenstein, development manager for Holsten, the firm spearheading the Pacesetter redevelopment.

The 90 existing three-bedroom townhomes, located in the 13600 and 13700 blocks of South Lowe Avenue, have been listed with the National Register of Historic Places.

The estimated $40 million first phase of construction includes renovating the 90 townhome buildings and the construction of two mixed-use rental buildings in the 13700 block of South Lowe Avenue.

These townhomes will be renovated into two- and three-bedroom units. In addition to new kitchens and bathrooms, each unit will include laundry facilities, enclosed backyards with private patios, two designated parking spaces and high-speed Internet connections, Klopfenstein said.

The mixed-use buildings will feature 40 two-bedroom units with an on-site management office and community center, she said.

Holsten plans to acquire commercial tenants such as a convenience store, credit union and day care center, Klopfenstein said. The housing units will be a mixed-income community, with only 16 units targeted for low-income tenants, she said.

A straight street grid also will be built to make previously winding roads in the Pacesetter development less isolated.

The first phase of construction is expected to be complete by December 2008, she added.

Families are being relocated as land is acquired and razed for construction. Residents are expected to begin moving into the new development by August 2008, Klopfenstein said. Displaced residents will receive first priority in moving back into Pacesetter.

The redevelopment of Pacesetter will eliminate the negative stigma of the community and showcase village attractions such as the nearby Joe Louis Golf Course and the Riverdale Marina, Riverdale Village President Zenovia Evans said.

"The goal is to market the golf course and the marina," she said, adding the village is estimated to distribute $1.2 million in tax increment financing allowances and waive building permit fees for the redevelopment project.

"There are a lot of people who don't even know the golf course and marina exist."