The first phase of infrastructure improvements for the American Addition neighborhood are complete, bringing sidewalks, streetlights, and a curb-and-gutter storm drainage system to the small collection of houses just east of Joyce Avenue on the city’s northeast side.
A celebration event was held in the neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, with Mayor Michael Coleman and Shannon Hardin, the newest city council member, both making remarks.
“We are investing in the American Addition neighborhood to make it safer for families,” said Mayor Coleman. “This project makes it safer to walk in the neighborhood, reduces flooding during rainstorms and makes homeownership possible for more families.”
Hardin emphasized the historical significance of the current effort to revitalize and repopulate the neighborhood. “For decades, this development served as a hub of African-American life in Columbus,” he said. “These improvements will restore this neighborhood to the prominence it deserves.”
Homeport has partnered with the city on the project, building and selling ten new homes in the neighborhood, with plans to build up to ten more in 2015. The affordable housing non-profit eventually hopes to develop an additional 80 lots in the neighborhood.
Additional streets in the neighborhood will receive similar infrastructure improvements as part of phases two and three of the project. Included in all phases is new green infrastructure, including rain gardens and pervious concrete curbs.
Also in the area, work continues on Joyce Avenue, with reconstruction of the roadway and a shared use path planned.
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More information on new housing in American Addition can be found at www.homeportohio.org.
More information on the infrastructure and road projects can be found at www.columbus.gov.