Dedication of Edgewood's revitalization project held

A community dedication was held in Edgewood Sunday afternoon as the City prepares to begin a revitalization effort for the neighborhood.

The City is preparing to construct three homes in Edgewood to begin the process. Leasa Segura, with the Neighborhood and Development Services division said the homes have already been purchased.

The City has contracted Meritus Signature Homes, based in Anderson to do the construction and is working with Steven Smith of Steven Smith Architects to design the homes, which will be highly energy efficient.

Almost two years ago, the City met with residents in the neighborhood to begin discussing the process, which officials say will be similar to what was done in Toole Hill.

At the dedication, City Councilman Don Wells commended City Manager Roger LeDuc for his vision in the redevelopment of Aiken's Northside.

"The revitalization of Edgewood has just begun, and there is going to be great things in the future," he said.

LeDuc said 10 years ago, he took a drive through the Northside area with City Councilwomen Beverly Clyburn and Lessie Price to discuss and view the needs of the community.

"Those two had a dream and a vision of what they wanted their community to look like," he said.

LeDuc said, at a time when the City was ranked one of the fastest growing communities in the state, the Northside was losing residents. In the last several years, more than 300 homes have been refurbished or built in Ashton Oaks, Toole Hill and Crosland Park.

"You can see the dream and vision we've had for the Northside, and we're well on our way. This is a part of that," said LeDuc.

The City plans to build 12 homes in the neighborhood and install sidewalks. Segura said the City is working with Aiken Corp. on the project to help with the down payment and closing costs for the buyers of the first three homes.

Willie Fuller, president of the Edgewood Association, the community's neighborhood association group, reminded the group of Edgewood's history as a Laundry Town, because of the large clothes cleaning operation for the City's Winter Colony residents.

"This is Laundry Town," he said. "We had to fight amongst ourselves before we got to this point."

The Edgewood Association meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Smith-Hazel Recreation Center.

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.