Wednesday, August 25, 2004
July 12, 2004 - A seven-year effort to completely makeover one
of Jacksonville's poorest neighborhoods was recognized through a 2004 Florida
Community Development Achievement Award made to the City by the Florida Community
Development Association at its annual statewide conference in July. The Royal
Terrace Neighborhood received over $20 million in HUD Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) funds over this seven-year period. Other HUD program funds,
state funds, revenue bond resources, Small Business Administration loans, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services funds, Duval County Health Department
funds, corporate donations, faith based and foundation donations, and private
investment supplemented this funding bringing the total investment to $25,112,424.
Jacksonville
Community Development staff sponsored Rally Day in Royal Terrace to kick-off
the Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvements. |
The City undertook major infrastructure improvements including the provision
of sewer lines, upgraded water services, a master storm water facility, major
drainage improvements, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and resurfaced or rebuilt all
the streets.
As these infrastructure improvements progressed, the City also addressed the
severe housing problems in Royal Terrace. Clearance and demolition of 17 unsafe
houses was completed. An apartment complex in the neighborhood was completely
renovated and a family development center was added. A utility hook up grant
program connected 75 houses; land was purchased and used by Habijax, the local
affiliate of Habitat for Humanity to construct 214 new homes. Seventy-two existing
homes were rehabilitated through the City's CDBG -assisted Limited Repair Program.
Other improvements included development of a new neighborhood park and the provision
of a community center and health and dental clinic.
Renovated
Royal Terrace Plaza houses new small businesses. |
To assist in the provision of job opportunities within the neighborhood itself,
two nearly vacant shopping centers were renovated and occupied by new neighborhood
businesses.
The Florida Community Development Association recognized Jacksonville's Royal
Terrace Comprehensive Improvement Program as a model for cities wishing to completely
transform low-income neighborhoods. Mixing and matching a variety of resources,
intensely focusing those resources in a defined area, and insuring active community
involvement in all aspects of the neighborhood's transformation made the Royal
Terrace makeover a success for everyone.
|