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    PACT Looking to Draw Young Professionals to Near East Side

    A week-long series of events meant to introduce the Near East Side neighborhood to young professionals will kick off on April 21st. Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT) – the organization behind last year’s Blueprint for Community Investment – is partnering with the Mount Vernon Avenue District Improvement Association to sponsor the week, which they are calling the Near East Side Hop.

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    nes-hop“It’s part of our revitalization efforts,” explained PACT’s Penny Letrud, who added that exposing young professionals to the amenities and possibilities of the neighborhood is a way to build on the Blueprint plan and promote the greater mission of the organization.

    A guided trolley-tour of the neighborhood will showcase new residential projects like Homeport’s North of Broad houses, community landmarks like the Franklin Park Conservatory, and adjacent activity centers like Columbus State.

    “We want people to realize how close the neighborhood is to downtown, we’re not on an island,” said Letrud, adding that she has been surprised by how many young people she speaks to don’t know about the many “hidden gems” of the Near East Side.

    In addition to Tuesday’s neighborhood tours, other activities planned for the week include a Wellness Night at the Eldon and Elsie Ward Family YMCA on Wednesday, a Mount Vernon Avenue block party on Thursday, and opportunities to volunteer at OSU CarePoint East’s Community Day on Saturday.

    The block party will feature food trucks, information tables, and music from the Liquid Crystal Project. That night will also offer the chance to attend the Ness Open Mic Experience, a popular ongoing event at Zanzibar Brews.

    A kick-off event planned for Monday the 21st will include music by Billy’s Playhouse, remarks by Mayor Michael Coleman, and tours of the Lincoln Theatre.

    More information about the Near East Side Hop events is available at www.eastpact.org.

    For more ongoing news and discussion on PACT, click here to visit the CU Messageboard.

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    Brent Warren
    Brent Warrenhttps://columbusunderground.com/author/brent-warren
    Brent Warren is a staff reporter for Columbus Underground covering urban development, transportation, city planning, neighborhoods, and other related topics. He grew up in Grandview Heights, lives in the University District and studied City and Regional Planning at OSU.
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