City looks at plans for Crosland homes 2/19/2009 12:53 AM
By APRIL BAILEY Staff writer
Plans for the Crosland Park Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative continued Wednesday as City officials met with architect George Watt to discuss ways to make the homes that will be renovated more energy-efficient.
In addition to the meeting, the group also toured two homes in Crosland Park that will be remodeled as a part of the effort. According to Watt, who is also working on the Ridge at Chukker Creek development, his role in the project will be to help the City understand the most cost-effective, energy-efficient measures for the homes being renovated.
Head of George Watt Architecture based in Colorado, Watt specializes in creating high performance, energy-efficient homes.
"I think this project has incredible possibility because the bones of the neighborhood are sound," he said after touring the two houses. "It's a wonderful neighborhood, it just happens that the houses are old and in need of renovation." The architect offered several suggestions after viewing the homes such as taking down sheetrock and insulating the walls and the attics, upgrading the heating systems and replacing windows and doors, as some the least expensive, energy-efficient measures that could be taken with the homes.
City Manager Roger LeDuc describes the homes as modest properties that were built in the early and late '50s because the Savannah Rive Site was bringing thousands of workers to the area.
"Fifty-five years later, we have this development that has gone through some serious ups and downs," he said.
He said a major rehabilitation is needed in Crosland Park. Most of the homes in the neighborhood are 1,200-1,400 square feet, with 3-4 bedrooms and 1-2 baths. Sixty-five percent of the homes are rental properties, however, LeDuc said he hopes home ownerships will increase once the renovations are complete. "We would love to see homeownership increase but if that's not going to happen, we want to see the rental properties of a higher quality," he said.
A group of 12 local churches and neighborhood community development groups are participating in the project. Over the next five years LeDuc said the group hopes to acquire and renovate 150 homes in Crosland Park. Though the individual groups will purchase the homes separately, they will work together making decisions for the properties.
LeDuc said the groups will be meeting next month to sign a memorandum of understanding outlining the agreement for the homes with emphasis on such things such as rental and lease purchase agreements, job training requirements for new resident and other details for the project.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Posted by: On: Thursday, February 19, 2009 6:24 PM
Comment Title: "It's a wonderful neighborhood,"???
Maybe they should have taken him through in the evening. They dont call it combat park for nothing.
Report Abuse
1