revitalization

As Martinsville looks to revitalize uptown, the future of The New College Institute is a key factor, according to the Martinsville Bulletin. In the 2012-13 school year, the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia will decide whether to let NCI evolve into a branch campus of a university or — what local leaders are hoping for — a university itself.

That decision will have a huge impact on the area because it could result in developing more space for classes and student housing, as well as more employment opportunities.

"The New College Institute (NCI) is an important part of efforts to revitalize uptown, according to city officials and community leaders.

As NCI has added degree programs and its student population has grown, it has expanded into three buildings uptown. People have noticed that growth, and it has helped them see that progress is occurring, according to Jeffrey Mansour, senior program officer for The Harvest Foundation.

He called NCI 'a catalyst' for revitalizing uptown.

Due to NCI’s presence, the district has 'a new identity,' said Lee Probst, executive director of the Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association.

As a result, how the institute evolves will greatly influence how uptown evolves, said Wayne Knox, the city’s director of community development.

NCI’s administration is in the Pythian Building on Jones Street. Classrooms and offices are in a former furniture store building on Franklin Street and on upper floors of Jefferson Plaza on East Church Street. Both buildings were renovated to accommodate the institute.

Because it occupies three buildings on different streets, NCI is 'integrated uptown' and has made itself part of the district’s identity, Mansour said.

That, he said, is unlike many institutions of higher education that are 'off secluded someplace away from the urban center' of their localities and, in turn, seem like separate communities.
NCI educated 347 students during the past academic year and expects to have at least 400 students in 2009-10, officials have said. Most students attend classes late in the day and at night, after most people who work uptown have gone home.

Executive Director Barry Dorsey said NCI has become 'an economic engine' for the central business district. For instance, he said the owner of a nearby coffee shop has told him that the restaurant often is full of students around NCI class times.

The institute provides local access to courses needed to complete certain bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by universities statewide."

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Virginia Beach will use $5 million in bonds, which will have to be paid back, to help revitalize 19th street between the Convention Center and the Oceanfront, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

The program that helps fund the bonds attempts to help communities create jobs and develop infrastructure. Hopefully, the money will do just that - and, bring in new residents or businesses that can help current homeowners and residents pay back the bonds.

"The city's plan to spruce up 19th Street between the Convention Center and the Oceanfront is getting a boost from the federal stimulus package.

Virginia Beach will use $5 million in bonds, allocated to the city by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to buy land for sidewalks.

Plans to update 19th Street into a pedestrian-friendly corridor with mass transit had been on hold while the city determines the future of a Convention Center hotel, the former Dome site and light rail.

But since bond money was available, this project seemed like a good use, said Virginia Beach Deputy City Manager Steve Herbert.

'It's kick off money,' Herbert said. 'It's an opportunity to take advantage of that money.'

The money, which the city will have to pay back, is part of the Build America Bonds program aimed at helping communities to create jobs and develop critical infrastructure."

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Want to update your home? Two upcoming events can help you get a great deal on materials and home decor.

Two upcoming Richmond-area events will benefit homeowners and the local Habitat for Humanity, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Contractor Sale

"Hanover Habitat for Humanity and the central Virginia chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry will hold a contractor yard sale Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hanover Habitat for Humanity office at 8177 Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Area contractors are invited to drop off priced items -- such as windows, doors, countertops, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, lighting and flooring --Tuesday through Thursday. Items will be stored until the sale. On the day of the sale, contractors should bring tables, cash for change, a tent in case of inclement weather and business cards. There is no cost to participate, but you may donate a portion of your proceeds to NARI or Habitat for Humanity.

To sign up, e-mail info@naricentralva.org or call (804) 641-1438. The groups are also looking for sponsors to help with advertising costs. Sponsors will be recognized on a banner at the sale."

Rug for a Rug

"Capel Rugs, located at 3995 Deep Rock Road in Henrico County, has partnered with Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity for its "Trade In, Trade Up" event today through Oct. 31. Shoppers who bring gently used rugs to the store will receive savings on new area rugs. Donations benefit the Richmond Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

For each rug donated, shoppers will receive 25 percent off their purchase of a new area rug and a tax donation receipt from the Richmond Habitat ReStore if the rug is reuseable. The store's staff will be available to help customers unload used rugs Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m"

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Rebuilding Together of Richmond recently performed free home repairs for a resident in the Bellemeade community, and is set to do more next spring according to WTVR.

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing critical home repair and modification services to those in need at no cost to homeowners.

With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners.

This type of work is great for homeowners in need, but also for the entire neighborhood because improvements to a neglected home can help protect property value of the surrounding homes.

"Applications will be available on site for an upcoming free repair event being held April 24, 2010. The deadline for applications is November 1, 2009. Typical repairs and renovations include painting, heating/cooling, roof, windows, handrails, porch repairs, improved lighting and removal of trip and fall hazards.

The program is available for homeowners who are 55 years of age or older or have disabilities; having a household income of less than $25,000; and own their own property in the Bellemeade or Oak Grove community."

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Or, visit Rebuilding Together to obtain the application.

The Truxtun neighborhood in Portsmouth is about to receive some help in fighting blight, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

The extended Truxtun neighborhood has about 600 houses. The original area was built in the early 1900s to house black shipyard workers. Crime, absentee landlords and vacant housing later became problems in the area.

City Council is scheduled to vote on Tuesday on a revitalization plan. The strategy to fight crime and renovate vacant properties will help to improve the home values in this and surrounding neighborhoods.

"The historic Truxtun neighborhood and surrounding areas are finally close to getting a long-awaited strategy to fight blight.

The City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a revitalization plan for the neighborhood, which opened in 1919 to house black shipyard workers and their families.

While approval of the plan will not immediately translate into city money to revive the neighborhood, designation as a conservation district will enable Truxtun leaders to apply for federal grants.

'We haven't gotten to the end of the tunnel, obviously, but we're getting closer to it,' said Vanessa Claytor, president of the Old Truxtun Community League.

She and other neighborhood leaders have been working with the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, city staff and police and sheriff's departments for more than two years to preserve the neighborhood's history.

With enactment of the plan, the housing authority would be able to acquire and redevelop blighted properties, and money to boost home ownership and do home repairs could potentially become available to residents."

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