East Nashville neighborhood bounces back
Drug deals, prostitution stings and dilapidated houses were once the norm for one East Nashville neighborhood.
Concerns about crime resonated from almost every corner in the McFerrin Park neighborhood.
Residents watched code violations and criminal activity consume their middle class community, once filled with historic houses and well-manicured lawns.
This neighborhood that many counted out is seeing a revival. Residents have organized and become watchdogs, doing their part to deter crime by reporting illegal activity to police.
Metro agencies have invested millions of dollars for the area’s improvement. Vacant lots are no longer dumping sites. Drug dealers and prostitutes have moved out of the area once known as North Edgefield.
A local developer plans to revive the old Roxy Theater, at 827 Meridian St., to feature independent films and add a music studio.
The socio-economic makeup of the neighborhood is also changing, as gentrification settles into the once predominately African-American community.
“The community is in a winning position now, and we believe we have gained an edge over the drug dealers,” said Mike Servais, who grew up in the McFerrin Park area and works for Nashville’s Salvation Army in the same neighborhood.
“We have to made a statement that this community’s long-term history and future have everything to do with positive cultural progress, and not with drug dealing and prostitution.
The latest on a long list of enhancement projects is a foreclosed property at 704 Meridian St. under revitalization by the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity.
The late 19th century Victorian house was threatened by demolition last November because of fire damage. The Metropolitan Development Agency acquired the property and worked with the Metro Historical Commission to donate the structure to Habitat.
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“It’s an awesome thing they are coming into out neighborhood and fixing up this foreclosed home,” said Michele Bennett, president of the McFerrin Park Neighborhood Association. “A lot of the residents didn’t want to see the house torn down and wanted to maintain.
“It provides affordable housing and creates a balance for the gentrification that is taking place in our neighborhood.”
About 40 percent of the work on the modest 1,900-square-foot home is complete, and many area residents are volunteering to pitch in on the construction.
“The idea that a bunch of us are putting this home back in its original form and modifying the interior will enrich the neighborhood,” Servais said. “It’s a step up for the area.”
Providing affordable housing has always been Habitat’s goal, and it’s expanding with a new initiative. ReConstruct, as the program is called, is designed to help revitalize neighborhoods by restoring dilapidated homes and making needed improvements to others.
The rehab of the Meridian Avenue house is a first for the Nashville-based agency, whose officials say they will also continue building new construction homes.
“We are keeping with our same mission, but vacant land will eventually run out,” said Eric Helm, director of Habitat’s ReConstruct program. “We want to target inner-city development, because if we don’t, Nashville starts to go down hill. We come in and remodel these houses, and it helps preserve the affordable housing stock.”
Metro Historical, Historic Nashville Inc., Tennessee Preservation Trust, and The Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University have all partnered with Habitat on this local preservation project.
Helm is working with these agencies to locate other historic structures that might be worth saving. Another house in McFerrin Park is being considered for a rehab, along with a home in the Edgehill community.
“These (historic) buildings are a test to our cities growth and character,” said Tim Walker, executive director of the Historical Commission. “McFerrin Park and nearby Cleveland Park are both neighborhoods in transition but have lost some of their historic fabric.
“The Habitat project keeps the historical character in place, while finding new homes for people.”
But for McFerrin Park neighbors, it’s just another step toward rebuilding their community.
“We all can play a part in making the neighborhood better by taking ownership and responsibility,” Bennett said. “This project shows that East Nashville has a lot to offer, and people are drawn to that.
“We have always been a jewel in the rough, and people are now starting to recognize who we are.”
Concerns about crime resonated from almost every corner in the McFerrin Park neighborhood.
Residents watched code violations and criminal activity consume their middle class community, once filled with historic houses and well-manicured lawns.
This neighborhood that many counted out is seeing a revival. Residents have organized and become watchdogs, doing their part to deter crime by reporting illegal activity to police.
Metro agencies have invested millions of dollars for the area’s improvement. Vacant lots are no longer dumping sites. Drug dealers and prostitutes have moved out of the area once known as North Edgefield.
A local developer plans to revive the old Roxy Theater, at 827 Meridian St., to feature independent films and add a music studio.
The socio-economic makeup of the neighborhood is also changing, as gentrification settles into the once predominately African-American community.
“The community is in a winning position now, and we believe we have gained an edge over the drug dealers,” said Mike Servais, who grew up in the McFerrin Park area and works for Nashville’s Salvation Army in the same neighborhood.
“We have to made a statement that this community’s long-term history and future have everything to do with positive cultural progress, and not with drug dealing and prostitution.
The latest on a long list of enhancement projects is a foreclosed property at 704 Meridian St. under revitalization by the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity.
The late 19th century Victorian house was threatened by demolition last November because of fire damage. The Metropolitan Development Agency acquired the property and worked with the Metro Historical Commission to donate the structure to Habitat.
(2 of 2)
“It’s an awesome thing they are coming into out neighborhood and fixing up this foreclosed home,” said Michele Bennett, president of the McFerrin Park Neighborhood Association. “A lot of the residents didn’t want to see the house torn down and wanted to maintain.
“It provides affordable housing and creates a balance for the gentrification that is taking place in our neighborhood.”
About 40 percent of the work on the modest 1,900-square-foot home is complete, and many area residents are volunteering to pitch in on the construction.
“The idea that a bunch of us are putting this home back in its original form and modifying the interior will enrich the neighborhood,” Servais said. “It’s a step up for the area.”
Providing affordable housing has always been Habitat’s goal, and it’s expanding with a new initiative. ReConstruct, as the program is called, is designed to help revitalize neighborhoods by restoring dilapidated homes and making needed improvements to others.
The rehab of the Meridian Avenue house is a first for the Nashville-based agency, whose officials say they will also continue building new construction homes.
“We are keeping with our same mission, but vacant land will eventually run out,” said Eric Helm, director of Habitat’s ReConstruct program. “We want to target inner-city development, because if we don’t, Nashville starts to go down hill. We come in and remodel these houses, and it helps preserve the affordable housing stock.”
Metro Historical, Historic Nashville Inc., Tennessee Preservation Trust, and The Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University have all partnered with Habitat on this local preservation project.
Helm is working with these agencies to locate other historic structures that might be worth saving. Another house in McFerrin Park is being considered for a rehab, along with a home in the Edgehill community.
“These (historic) buildings are a test to our cities growth and character,” said Tim Walker, executive director of the Historical Commission. “McFerrin Park and nearby Cleveland Park are both neighborhoods in transition but have lost some of their historic fabric.
“The Habitat project keeps the historical character in place, while finding new homes for people.”
But for McFerrin Park neighbors, it’s just another step toward rebuilding their community.
“We all can play a part in making the neighborhood better by taking ownership and responsibility,” Bennett said. “This project shows that East Nashville has a lot to offer, and people are drawn to that.
“We have always been a jewel in the rough, and people are now starting to recognize who we are.”
Labels: community east, east nashville, east nashville neighborhood, foreclosed homes, foreclosure, nashville east
posted by The Fine Living Group of Nashville at
11:35 AM
1 Comments:
Im planning to do my part. I hope to be buying a fixer upper in that neighborhood soon. There are beautiful homes in that area just begging for a little love. Move enough people willing to invest and care for that neighborhood in, and it cant help but change for the better.
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