City aims to aid historic Americrest neighborhood

By: Walker

15 Comments

• 

  Cyclist October 24, 2008 12:33 pm

  Cool. I don’t know much about this area other than it being home to some metal scrapers. I hope that new buildings/businesses are done in an urban fashion. I am also interested in the “bike path” that was mention in there. This neighborhood borders the proposed WAD Bikeway. Maybe a link with that?
• 

  JohnWirtz October 24, 2008 1:36 pm

  This neighborhood definitely needs to densify. It’s too close to downtown, the airport, and jobs at Easton not to take advantage of the location. I do wonder who’s going to buy the 120 homes in this market though.

  Also, the city has a plan for that area and more from 2002:

  http://development.columbus.gov/Bizdevelopment/PlanList/PL_75.asp

  The recommendations in the plan sound a lot like the work that’s being done.
• 

  Cyclist October 24, 2008 1:47 pm

  JohnWirtz wrote This neighborhood definitely needs to densify. It’s too close to downtown, the airport, and jobs at Easton not to take advantage of the location. I do wonder who’s going to buy the 120 homes in this market though.

  Also, the city has a plan for that area and more from 2002:

  http://development.columbus.gov/Bizdevelopment/PlanList/PL_75.asp

  The recommendations in the plan sound a lot like the work that’s being done.

  thanks, I’ll read that this weekend.
• 

  Columbusite October 24, 2008 11:57 pm

  I’ve been by the 5th Ave stretch. Not very picturesque. Good to hear this place is getting some attention.
• 

  jchem54 October 25, 2008 12:32 am

  This is Great news for the city of Columbus, and even better news for the Northern area of the city. I’m all for this. But I have to wonder why there has been no outreach for Columbus’s west-side areas, such as the Hilltop, Franklinton, and even the Far west-side near the old Westland mall?? The views of DT Columbus from the west are some of the best views of our city. I just wish that more time, money, and energy was being spent in places like the Hilltop, and Franklinton, and not all the money going to the northern areas of the city.

  But I am really glad that the city is taking this step to help a troubled area. Progress is progress.
• 

  Walker October 25, 2008 9:36 am

  jchem54 wrote I have to wonder why there has been no outreach for Columbus’s west-side areas, such as the Hilltop, Franklinton, and even the Far west-side near the old Westland mall??

  There are redevelopment plans for Hilltop and Franklinton with a few small city-led projects here and there. Perhaps they haven’t had any private developers stepping up to assist in those areas yet? I don’t think any neighborhoods are being ignored.

  http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10701

  http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13872

  http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14498

  http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8912

  http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11789
• 

  lazyfish October 25, 2008 10:18 am

  probably one of the most polluted neighborhoods in town, numerous metal recyclers have polluted the ground water and the air, paint factories have done serious damage to air and water. There was a time when houses were being razed and the discussion was about keeping people out of the neighborhood for health reasons, well I guess the poor need to live somewhere, is this what they mean by environmental racism?
• 

  Walker October 25, 2008 11:41 am

  Business First wrote City commits to improving northeast neighborhood

  Friday, October 24, 2008

  by Brian R. Ball

  Expectation of voter passage of a $1.66 billion bond package on Nov. 4 has city officials planning to spend $15 million in a northeast Columbus neighborhood.

  City officials unveiled plans for storm sewers, sidewalks, bike paths and improved streets in the neighborhood off Joyce Avenue from Hudson Avenue to East 12th Avenue. The city has approved $1 million for infrastructure projects that will get under way this spring to spur the nonprofit Columbus Housing Partnership Inc. residential developer’s construction of the first of 120 homes in the American Addition neighborhood near the intersection of Joyce and Woodford avenues.

  READ MORE
• 

  Walker October 25, 2008 11:42 am

  Press Release wrote Mayor, City Council and Community Partners Announce Housing and Infrastructure Plans for Northeast Side Neighborhood

  American Addition Neighborhood to see new homes built in nearly 50 years

  (Columbus) The American Addition neighborhood on the City’s Northeast Side has seen very little new development over the past 50 years and will be revitalized as the City of Columbus plans to invest $15 million in infrastructure improvements on Joyce Avenue from Hudson Ave to 12th Avenue with approval of the City’s 2008 Bond Package. Today, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus City Council members and community partners unveiled plans for storm sewers, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, ADA ramps, new pavement and bike paths. The infrastructure improvements will complement plans for new housing in the American Addition by Columbus Housing Partnership (CHP).

  “We continue our commitment to building strong neighborhoods in the City of Columbus and I’m proud to partner with Columbus Housing Partnership to transform American Addition into a 21st century neighborhood,” said Mayor Coleman. “With the passage of our 2008 City bond Package, these improvements will continue to encourage public-private investment, create jobs and bring more people to the Northeast Area.”

  In addition to the infrastructure improvements, Columbus Housing Partnership expects to break ground next spring on the first of a multi-phase, multi-year new build development featuring an attractive range of affordable, energy efficient homes. The City of Columbus approved the first phase of the development plan for this neighborhood with $1 million for infrastructure improvements to jumpstart this housing effort.

  “We appreciate the vision and support of Mayor Coleman and members of City Council. We’re excited to work with our partners, including residents of American Addition, to bring new housing opportunities and improve the quality of the infrastructure in the neighborhood,” said Amy Klaben, President/CEO, Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc.

  The boundaries for the infrastructure projects are Joyce Avenue from Hudson to 12th Avenue and will be completed in two phases: Phase 1–Joyce, from Hudson to Kenmore – start 2010, complete 2012; Phase 2–Joyce, from Kenmore to 12th – starts 2013, complete 2015.

  “The best way to build a strong neighborhood is to first meet the basic needs of residents,” said Charleta B. Tavares, Chair of the Health, Housing & Human Services Committee. “This project updates those essential services to make this area an attractive place for a family to call home.”

  “As a member of the 2012 Commission, I am proud that the City of Columbus reached out to collect citizen input on how to make our city strong and competitive,” said Tiffany White, Chair, North Central Area Commission. “The proposed projects with passage of the City Bond Package will change the image of the North Central Area.”
• 

  Columbusite October 25, 2008 1:04 pm

  So is it “Americrest” or “American Addition”? In any case, I’m sure somethings are going to have to be cleaned up to allow development for housing. At the same time, shouldn’t we have a couple of places close to the city for industrial purposes? Just seems like we’re phasing all of that out.
• 

  maibingjie October 25, 2008 2:25 pm

  Columbusite wrote So is it “Americrest” or “American Addition”? In any case, I’m sure somethings are going to have to be cleaned up to allow development for housing. At the same time, shouldn’t we have a couple of places close to the city for industrial purposes? Just seems like we’re phasing all of that out.

  It is American Addition. Americrest refers to the civic association that represents both the neighborhoods of American Addition and Leacrest, adjacent on the northern edge. Both areas were platted as residential communities and have always remained so, despite commercial zoning on almost all surrounding areas.
• 

  Columbusite October 25, 2008 5:28 pm

  Looked at it with streetview. What’s there is little and spread out. I’m guessing they razed most of the neighborhood, since it looks like there should be more homes lining the streets. The population must be tiny and this is the largest part. It’s sooo sparse and despite the comparatively large area, this is basically it. With such a small amount of land for residential, why not make it denser? It doesn’t have to be fancy, just use 3-5 story buildings. The plan calls for turning Dewey and Windsor into commercial corridors, but how does the city expect all of that to be supported by residents when they plan on building only single-family homes? In any case, it’s amazing how some neighborhoods are basically in a different world, as I’m sure few have ever set foot, let alone even driven through here. I like the name, at least. And looking at that pdf now, there are several more that I’ve never heard of.

  
  View Larger Map
• 

  Cyclist October 25, 2008 5:31 pm

  I took MNR there one night two summers ago. So I know at least 60 some people who have cycled there.
• 

  UncommonSense October 25, 2008 6:24 pm

  The headline of the Dispatch article says it is historic, but nothing of its history is mentioned. Anyone know why its historic?

  Also, I don’t think the city has a good track record with revitalization projects. Anyone remember all the optimism about the Four Corners redevelopment just to the west. Drive by the corner of 11th and Cleveland sometime and tell me what difference it has made. I used to work right in that area and I have yet to see any improvement.

  Morse Rd. also comes to mind. No improvement other than aesthetic. Businesses are still fleeing, and crime seems to be going up.

  I hate being pessimistic, but city government can’t make a difference in these places, unless they have partners in the private sector and the neighborhoods themselves.
• 

  Walker March 14, 2011 2:54 pm

  Long-neglected American Addition neighborhood to get attention, money
  SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2011
  BY MARK FERENCHIK
  THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

  Columbus is spending $5 million on a North Side neighborhood that has experienced little public investment for almost a century.

  American Addition attracted poor black families from the South around 1914 and became one of the oldest black communities in central Ohio. Now, the city is embarking on an effort to build as many as 150 houses in the impoverished neighborhood off Joyce Avenue in a section of the city where heavy industry once flourished.

  READ MORE: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/03/13/copy/long-neglected-american-addition-neighborhood-to-get-attention-money.html?adsec=politics&sid=101