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A $32 million revival is planned for the site of a historic former church in Jackson Ward following decades of failed efforts to jump-start the dormant slice of real estate bounded by First, Second, Duval and Jackson streets.

The Washington-based Community Preservation and Development Corp. has filed plans with the city of Richmond for a three- to four-story mixed-use development with 182 housing units and 6,000 square feet of commercial space on the site of the former St. Joseph’s Church.

The city has sought to revitalize the site for more than 25 years; developers interested in the property backed off of deals in 2008 and 2011.

“It’s been out there for a long time,” said T.K. Somanath, executive director of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which owns the property and is signing a 50-plus-year lease with the firm.

Community Preservation and Development is asking for a special-use permit from the city to proceed with its plans; the matter is scheduled to go before the city’s Planning Commission on Feb. 16. A public hearing on the project is slated for Feb. 22 in City Council chambers.