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Press Release:
Mayor Coleman, City Councilmember Klein, Wagenbrenner Developments and Weinland Park Neighborhood Leaders Mark Completion of Roadway Improvements and Start of Construction of Renovated and New Affordable Housing
Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Councilmember Zach M. Klein, Wagenbrenner Developments President Mark Wagenbrenner, Campus Partners President and Weinland Park Collaborative member Doug Aschenbach and Weinland Park Community Civic Association President Joyce Hughes today cut the ribbon on a reconstructed North Grant Avenue between East 5th and East 11th avenues. The new roadway is the first completed segment of redevelopment of the old Columbus Coated Fabrics site. The public-private partnership is driving improvements that also include construction or renovation of 500 new and existing housing units on and around the old factory site.
“Our partnership with the private sector is creating jobs to build affordable homes and improve infrastructure that will be the catalyst for a stronger and more vital Weinland Park,” said Mayor Coleman. “We are working shoulder to shoulder to build a bright future on a site that only a few years ago was a symbol of blight and pollution.”
Infrastructure and home construction on and around the former factory site has generated nearly 200 jobs since the work began earlier this year. North Grant Avenue improvements have included new sidewalks, traffic signals and signage, streetlights and sewer and water lines. Similar improvements have been completed in the reconstruction of East 6th, East 7th and East 8th avenues between North 6th Street and North Grant Avenue.
“Weinland Park is a vibrant neighborhood that has a renewed sense of energy and purpose thanks to the public and private investment in the area,” said Councilmember Zach M. Klein, chair of the Development Committee. “Residents have helped lead the transformation with their vision for a better neighborhood.”
To date, the City has invested $7.38 million in infrastructure improvements which are leveraging a $50 million investment by Wagenbrenner Developments to build or renovate 500 housing units.
“Without Mayor Coleman’s, City Council and City staff support, none of these improvements would have been possible,” said Mark Wagenbrenner. “Weinland Park’s revitalization has begun and the cornerstone of this revitalization is the City’s investment and commitment.”
Greater Columbus Habitat for Humanity, the NRP Group and Wagenbrenner are creating rental and homeownership opportunities in the Weinland Park neighborhood with funds from the second phase of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The partners are using more than $5.5 million in the effort that could bring more than 130 new and rehabbed housing opportunities to the area.
“This is an exciting time for our neighbors in Weinland Park. We are seeing the effects of the hard work that provided a vision in the Weinland Park plan,” said Joyce Hughes, president of the Weinland Park Community Civic Association. “The commitment from the City and stakeholders is helping to make the vision a reality which will afford the residents an opportunity to improve the quality of their lives. And for that we in Weinland Park are grateful.”
Other properties in the neighborhood will be improved through the Exterior Home Repair grant Program. Grants are up to $20,000 for single family homes and $25,000 for duplexes. So far, 66 Weinland Park homeowners have applied for the grants that serve homeowners up to 120 percent of Area Median Income.
“With funding support from the City, State and Federal governments, Campus Partners was pleased to lead the efforts to acquire this property which had fallen into a state of disrepair and was having a negative impact on our Weinland Park neighbors,” said Doug Aschenbach, president of Campus Partners. “Campus Partners is also pleased to be joined by our Weinland Park Collaborative partners in helping create a project that will positively impact the Weinland Park neighborhood for years to come.”
The home repair program is administered by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission with funds made possible by The Columbus Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation and Campus Partners.
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