Newly
Completed Project Makes Dream of Home Ownership Possible
In
2001, the East Allegheny Community Council (EACC), with
technical assistance from the Northside Leadership Conference
(NSLC), launched a $3 million dollar development program
that included 12 renovations and five new townhomes.
Now the project known as Historic Deutschtown II (HDII)
is complete, with all properties sold.
Eleven of
the 17 buyers were first-time homeowners. Thirteen accessed
some form of special financing that made home ownership
more affordable, eight relocated from outside the city,
and one from outside the county. Six condemned buildings
were demolished and replaced with five new structures.
Eleven homes that had seen better days now have bright
futures. Today, the HDII project is a revitalized area
of a city that has grown to recognize, promote and cultivate
diversity where singles, married couples, empty-nesters,
children, no children, Black, Caucasian, Hispanic, partnered,
homosexual, heterosexual, white collar, blue collar
and no collar combine to bring vibrancy and vitality
to the community.
One
of the first buyers, Bernie Beck, is a retired schoolteacher
who divides his time between volunteerism and community
activism. Prior to his new home purchase in East Allegheny,
Mr. Beck rented an apartment in the neighborhood. After
his purchase, Mr. Beck summed it up eloquently, “Owning
my own house has increased my sense of pride and obligation
to the neighborhood. For three years I lived in the
community; now I am a part of the community. This is
my home.” And indeed he is an integral part of
the community, selling hot dogs in West Park to raise
money for the community group, making himself available
to sign checks for East Allegheny Community Council
as a member of the Board of Directors, and working as
a member of the community group’s Housing Committee.
Mr. Beck is making a difference in his neighborhood,
because of the efforts of the East Allegheny Community
Council and the Northside Leadership Conference.
Kevin
Kemery is a newcomer to the Northside, having moved
from the East End of Pittsburgh. A first-time homebuyer,
he was attracted to East Allegheny for the convenient
location. He states that the move has greatly impacted
his life. “The convenience of East Allegheny to
other North Shore and city attractions has enabled me
to take greater advantage of what the city has to offer.
Additionally, the transition from a ‘renter's’
lifestyle to a ‘home owner’s’ lifestyle
has provided me with the opportunity and responsibility
to spend much more time on the improvement and upkeep
of my place of residence.”
Kelly
and Jim Orris moved from a condo in Perry Hilltop to
their newly rehabbed townhouse in East Allegheny. They
say the move has impacted their lives in many ways.
“Most noteworthy probably is our interacting and
frequent socializing with neighbors. It is a wonderful,
cohesive community.” Kelly and Jim have made several
new friendships in East Allegheny, many of them owners
of HDII project homes.
Another
first-time home buyer, Tradyce Morgan moved from outside
the City of Pittsburgh. Tradyce looked at several homes
before making her move to the Northside, and settled
on East Allegheny because of the affordability of the
homes developed by East Allegheny Community Council
and the Northside Leadership Conference. Her love of
the diverse community, as well as the wonderful variation
in architectural styles, also factored greatly in her
choice.
Sandy and Dick Keihl
lived in Butler County for years, raising their family
in a large home in a picturesque setting among rolling
hills. When they decided to move to Pittsburgh, they
fell in love with the Northside, bought a house developed
by EACC and NSLC, and the rest is history! People actually
do move from the suburbs to the city if the right product
is available.
Even
folks from the suburbs of Allegheny County can be attracted
to the city. Jim Neel and Kim Lyons-Neel recently purchased
an HDII home, moving from the South Hills. Not only
has the move saved them countless hours of commuting
time to their respective jobs, it has also added two
more solid, taxpaying citizens to the population of
Pittsburgh.
And
when Chris Capato fell in love with his rehabbed turn-of-the-century
townhome in the Northside, he made the move from Mt.
Lebanon. Since then, he has become one of the biggest
advocates for his community. Chris is constantly inviting
prospective homebuyers into his home, regaling them
with heartfelt stories of life on the Northside and
the benefits of city living. In addition to his duties
as the unofficial ambassador of East Allegheny, Chris
devotes hours of volunteer service to the Board of Directors
of the East Allegheny Community Council. He co-chairs
the Business Development Committee and is one of East
Allegheny’s representatives to the Northside Leadership
Conference’s Board of Directors. He has been directly
and indirectly responsible for many changes in his community
and brought a new, fresh perspective to the East Allegheny
Board.
These
are just a few examples of what can be accomplished
through a grassroots, community-driven, bricks-and-mortar
development such as the Historic Deutschtown II project.
A successful development? You be the judge. The homeowners
sure think it is. The community of East Allegheny thinks
it is. And the Northside Leadership Conference is proud
to have played a part in positively changing so many
people's lives, as well as contributing to the resurgence
of the Northside and the City of Pittsburgh.
|
