Mayor, Council, CHP Celebrate New Houses Built With Neighborhood Stabilization Funds
In 2008, the City of Columbus received an award of more than $22 million in the first round of NSP grant funds to help revitalize Columbus neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. Today Mayor Michael B. Coleman was joined by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares and Columbus Housing Partnership CEO Amy Klaben to cut the ribbon on a home newly-built with NSP funds. Located at 276 N. 21st Street, the house is one of eight new builds located in the North of Broad (NOBO) neighborhood in the King-Lincoln District that has been completed.
"The vision of North of Broad is now a reality thanks to the commercial, community and residential developments that have borne fruit here, including these new houses," said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. "In addition to the public and private investments we have seen here, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program has helped bring hope to this neighborhood."
Columbus Housing Partnership’s Home Ownership Division pre-sold the six of the eight homes that cost between $140-160,000. These 8 in-fill homes now complement 20 other homes developed and sold in recent years by the developer. The project cost $1.9 million to complete. Mayor Coleman and officials toured other homes that have been built or rehabbed on N. 21st Street.
"These new homes will help stabilize neighborhoods and stabilize lives", said Councilmember Tavares, chair of the Housing Committee. "These targeted investments are improving blighted properties and in the end the entire community, one home at a time."
The energy-efficient homes were constructed by Ceqart Construction and Sovereign Homes and are a part of several homes rehabbed and built by Homeport on N. 21st Street. The neighborhood is the home one of the highest performing, green and energy efficient houses in Ohio. This green home was made possible by Columbus Housing Partnership, in collaboration with Home B.A.S.E., with support from the Columbus Green Building Forum and the City of Columbus. The home has a unique solar electric system on one of Ohio’s first green LEED homes.
"Success can be measured in many ways. We care about people and creating positive change in neighborhoods. Through our partnership with the City of Columbus, and with the residents at North of Broad, we have been able to accelerate the revitalization of this area, while keeping it both inclusive and affordable," said Amy Klaben, President and CEO of Columbus Housing Partnership."
The NOBO neighborhood has also received improved street lighting, sidewalks, restored sand stone curbs and a section of N. 21st Street between Long Street and Mount Vernon Avenue was paved with an asphalt mix containing recycled tire scraps, the first green residential street in the city.
Earlier this year, the City of Columbus received $23.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for the NSP 2. The funds will be used to continue revitalization efforts in other Columbus neighborhoods.