Neighborhood Preservation

Our organization formed originally to appeal the City’s plan to demolish the
African-American neighborhood of Manchester and all of the North Side
neighborhoods through four decades. We have worked with many neighborhoods
throughout the city and county and developed programs with the residents
that are tailored to each community’s needs, using the historic houses and
retail and commercial buildings as a resource for renewal.

Among our programs are the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative in which
we work with residents to create a data base of information on all of the
buildings; our Preservation Loan Fund which provides below market rate
short-term financing to 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in neighborhood
revitalization; Our small grants for special for architectural and feasible
studies; technical assistance in financing and construction management. We
also assist in having areas listed on the National Register and designated
by local municipal historic ordinances.

We also will undertake acquisition of real estate to lead and anchor
revitalization efforts, create affordable housing, establish model buildings
and Green buildings.