Don’t forget to check out the whole story of NoBo.

At the Intersection of Preservation and Community Revitalization

Imagine world art, blossoming foliage, countless volumes of literature, and smooth jazz playing in the background.  This is the space Bertha Willis calls home in NoBo, a community in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville Historic District.  When this property was purchased three years ago it was part of a collaborative effort between Homeport (formerly Columbus Housing Partnership) and the City of Columbus to create an economically diverse urban community that would set the standard for neighborhood redevelopment.  Elements of historic preservation, revitalization, responsible environmental practices, and community development are being used to create NoBo.

“NoBo is a jewel of a project”, says Randy Black, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of   Columbus.  Bertha Willis’ home was rehabilitated under this unique neighborhood redevelopment initiative. The original staircase, mantle, and balustrade remain as prominent features in the home, though extensive work had to be done on the interior and exterior of the property.   Rehabilitation of the home, originally built in 1918, had to follow best practices for historic rehab under Section 106 review.   Section 106, administered by the Historic Preservation Office for the City of Columbus, attempts to maintain the historical and cultural significance of a home by guiding the rehab of features such as the porch, roof, gutters, exterior paint, and windows.   The HPO also guides infill development in historic districts. New builds should be designed with characteristics that “fit” in the neighborhood like scale, setbacks, and porches.  Since 2005 Homeport has rehabbed 18 homes and built 8 new properties to fill the vacant lots in the NoBo community.

“I wanted an older home with some history in the city.”  Bertha, a native of Cleveland, was drawn to the small community just east of Downtown Columbus from the start.  NoBo is on E. 21st St. nestled between E. Long St and Mt. Vernon Ave .   Realtors advised Bertha to wait 10 years for NoBo to mature and suggested properties in more established communities like Westgate and Merion Village.

Fortunately, Homeport does more than just build and rehab properties for low to moderate income home owners.  Homeport is committed to building vibrant, sustainable communities where one can live, work, shop, and be entertained in a pedestrian friendly neighborhood.   When asked about the neighborhood and its progress under Homeport, Bertha just smiles and says “The sense of community is strong and is still building, my neighbors are invaluable. It’s home and I feel good here. ”  In the two years that Bertha has been a resident of NoBo, Homeport has supported the neighborhood through homeowner education classes, provided a tool library, planted a community garden, and helped to organize a block watch.   Additionally, Homeport worked with the existing residents to improve their own homes.

“King-Lincoln used to be a thriving community, and that history was what really attracted me to the area.”  The King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood was the hub of African-American society in 1920’s Columbus complete with a commercial district, entertainment venues, and a middle class.  The renovation of the Historic Lincoln Theater was an integral part of Mayor Coleman’s 2002 initiative to revitalize the district.  In its heyday legendary artists like Count Basie and Cab Calloway graced the Lincoln’s stage.  The 80 year old building re-opened its doors in May 2009 with seating for 560, a ballroom, rehearsal studios, community events space, and a mix of resident performance groups.

Solar panels, rain gardens, and programmable HVAC and lighting from the convenience of your PDA all sound out of place in a historic district like King-Lincoln Bronzeville, but Homeport has found a way to incorporate green initiatives with historic design elements in NoBo.   Home to the “greenest house in Ohio,” the property at 258 N. 21st St was awarded the highest level of recognition, LEED Platinum Certification, by the U.S. Green Building Council.  Rehabbed homes like Bertha Willis’ and new development in the NoBo community boasts efficient appliances, low VOC carpets and paints, and the use of local materials in construction and design.

Interview with Resident of NOBO – Click Here.

Legacy Circle Members State that the Kennedy Museum matters

Kent Wine and Art Fest – July 24, 2010

The 4th Annual Kent Masterpieces on Main Art & Wine Festival presented by Main Street Kent was canceled because of horrible weather on June 5th.

To many people’s satisfaction, the event has been rescheduled. The rescheduled event, called Art & Wine REWIND, will take place on Saturday July 24th, 2010 from Noon – 10 p.m. There will still be wine tasting, shopping, great food and jammin’ music. Wine tasting is $10 and includes a commemorative wine glass and five wine sample tickets.

North Water Street will be closed from Main Street to Columbus. There are six wineries, four musical acts, local artists, local food and downtown favorites that will be featured at the festival. The Blues Festival is also taking place in downtown Kent the same weekend.

The previous six local wineries will return to feature tasting of some of their vintage wines. Wineries include: Candlelight Winery, LaPorte Winery, Myrddin Winery, The Winery at Wolf Creek, Troutman Vineyards and Viking Vineyards.

Musical acts will be playing two hour shows starting at 2 p.m. until the event’s finish. They include (respectively): Brad & Peggy, Steve Vanderink, Bluestones and Mahajibee Blues.

Event sponsors include: The Burbick Foundation, McKay Bricker Framing and Home Savings Bank.

For information, call 330-677-8000. Main Street Kent is a nonprofit organization working to revitalize downtown Kent.

Ohio University Baker Center

Conference Agenda

Information on Athens Street Construction

Heritage Ohio would like to thank our Conference Sponsor:

Sandvick Architects
Coon Restoration & Sealants, Inc
Gray & Pape Cultural Resource Consultants
Hardlines Design Company
Kinzelman Kline Gossman, LLC
Front Street Analytics
Chambers, Murphy & Burge Restoration Architects
Longwell Legal, LLC
JACOBS Urban Desitgn + Planning Group
Marvin Windows
Poggemeyer Design Group, Inc
Ursuline College
E. G. & G. Inc.
Van Dyke Architects, LLC
Heritage Architectural
Keystone Waterproofing & Masonry Restoration Co.
Service Supply Ltd. Inc.
Union Metal Corporation

Weston Associates

Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Rod Arter Design Illustrator

Upcoming dates for our Main Street 101 Trainings:

• September 29, 2010 in Findlay (stay tuned for more info!)
• December 1, 2010 in Jackson (download the registration form here)

Havana vs. Sawgrass Mills Mall