KANNAPOLIS ó The city of Kannapolis recently launched a community development effort that will work to improve less stable neighborhoods within the City.
The first area the city will focus on includes the neighborhoods near the old Carver School ó Nightown, Happy Hollow, Rutledgetown and Newtown.
Working with consultants from N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University, the city is developing a strategic plan to address the area’s unique needs, from working with current residents to learn their vision for the neighborhoods’ future to engaging property owners and nonprofit organizations to improve the appearance and basic services in the area.
City representatives are working with residents, property owners, schools, churches and others to encourage their participation.
“We will complete the planning process by late 2009 and hope to replicate this process in other fragile neighborhoods,” Irene Sacks, the city’s director of business and community affairs, said in a press release. “The strategic plan will build on the assets in the neighborhoods and address their needs.”
Already, changes are underway.
Prosperity Unlimited has worked with the city to build several new homes in the area, and City Council recently allocated federal funds ó through the Community Develop Block Grant program ó to extend Wood Avenue from Foster Street to James Street.
This road extension will provide a paved street ó where a gravel access road now exists ó to the neighborhood and enable the development of the Hollow Ridge subdivision at the intersection of Wood Avenue and Walter Street. Prosperity Unlimited plans to build 17 single-family homes on property it already owns, beginning construction in 2009.