"Good News" in Ohio

Cuyahoga Falls - Maplewood Villa, a new public housing community in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio began occupancy in October2008. This 45-unit property was purchased and renovated by the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), incorporating many innovative updates. Six of the first floor apartments were designed to meet guidelines of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and will be fully serviceable with baths and kitchens focused on independent living. These models include roll-in showers with bench seating and open bath/kitchen sink tops and cabinetry.
Design changes promote easy movement throughout the apartments and this focus extends to the parking and sidewalk entrances. Low profile thresholds and proximity of parking areas to walkways increase the ability to maneuver from vehicles to the front entrances of these models. Total cost of this project was $3.5 million.

Akron - Formerly known as Elizabeth Park Homes, Cascade Village was funded with a $29.25 million HOPE VI Grant in 2005. The architectural style of the development is traditional neighborhood and all of the rental units are townhouse units and the last of its 6 phases was completed in the fall of 2008. The 269 rental and for sale units are serving as a catalyst for further development in the area where the development is located.

Cleveland - Tremont Pointe is Cleveland's Newest Mixed Income Community. The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) was awarded $19.6 million in HOPE VI funds for the demolition and revitalization of the former Valley View public housing site into a new mixed income neighborhood. Planned in two phases, Tremont Pointe Phase I consists of 102 family rental units comprised of 68 affordable and 34 market rate one-, two- and three-bedroom garden and townhouse units. Currently under construction, Phase II will include 87 rental townhouse and garden apartments. Approximately 29 for-sale homes are being developed by Tremont West Development Corporation. In addition to a restored street grid and placement of strategic green spaces, the development includes on-site management and community space. Site design will accommodate future direct access to the planned Cuyahoga Towpath Trail. The development also touts special �green� features such as Energy Star appliances, high efficiency heat pump systems, low or no VOC (toxic) paints, and green label carpet.

Cleveland - The historic Lakeview Terrace Community Center community center underwent a $2.8 million renovation by the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority in 2007. The Center has a state-of-the-art culinary training kitchen, computer lab, gymnasium, and theatrical stage. The Community Center also includes modern Head Start classrooms, a full service kitchen, new locker rooms with showers, multi-purpose rooms, a new outdoor playground and basketball court. This renovated facility is ADA accessible. Additionally, beautiful 1930's Work Project Administration (WPA) art was restored and is, once again, being displayed throughout the Community Center. Funding for the project was provided with a HUD Hope VI grant and CMHA residents accounted for 24% of the hours worked on the renovation.

Toledo - In December 2008, the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority started building what will be two three-unit buildings to be called the Houck Townhomes, named after former LMHA Board Chairman Robert Houck. This is the first new public housing LMHA has built in Toledo since Ashley Arms opened in 1981. These town homes will be built in an area of mixed single- family homes and apartments near the Michigan border. A handful of public housing townhouse units are already in the area along with other homes nearby that were built by Habitat for Humanity for low-income owners. Plans call for two buildings with three units each. In one building, there will be two two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit. In the other building, there will be two three-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit. The total cost is estimated at about $876,000.

Youngstown - The Chevrolet Center is located in Youngstown, Ohio. The Center cost a total of $42 million to build, $25 million of which was provided through a HUD Economic Development Initiative Grant. The Center is home to the Youngstown Steel hounds which are a minor league hockey team. The Chevrolet Centre is becoming a very well known venue in the Mahoning Valley and is starting to hold more events like wrestling and is starting to attract better known Theatrical acts, while serving as an economic engine for the area.