Metro Pulse/Urban Renewal

1600 block of Jefferson Ave.
1200-1600 sq. ft
2-3 bedrooms, 1-2 baths
$60,000 to $79,000 (rehabbed)
Contact: Knox Housing Partnership, 637-1679

by Matt Edens

Sometimes a little intervention is a good thing. Now before you go running off to write that angry letter to the editor, hear me out. Contrary to what you might think, the battle I'm talking about is being waged right here in our own back yard.

You see, getting a neighborhood out from under the thumb of oppressive slumlords and repairing the damage wrought by years of economic sanctions (otherwise known as redlining) isn't easy. Particularly when the guys plundering the place have, over the years, often enjoyed the tacit support of Washington (via the tax code and a "containment" approach to low-income housing). To really turn things around requires a bigger player to step in, kick a few behinds and demonstrate that the game has changed. KCDC's currently doing just that over in Mechanicsville. And on a leaner, meaner scale, Knox Housing Partnership is building up to wage a similar campaign on the opposite end of downtown in the historic Parkridge neighborhood.

Only they're not going in alone. KHP might be the largest housing non-profit in town, but they're hardly the redevelopment superpower that KCDC is. Therefore, they've formed a broad coalition, partnering with the neighborhood organization, the city's Department of Development and other non-profits like Knox Heritage (who, having rehabbed and sold two houses in the neighborhood and having started on a third, has had troops on the ground in Parkridge for a while). The coalition is even courting several partners in the private sector. I know, I know...but with this much infrastructure to rebuild, it's got to be done. Rest assured that, through careful use of Historic Preservation Tax Credits, the architectural wealth of Parkridge will be preserved to assure the sound economic future of the neighborhood.

And it's a future that's looking considerably brighter thanks to the opening salvo in the Parkridge campaign. In a single massive strike, Knox Housing Partnership has acquired five rental houses in the 1600 block of Jefferson Avenue, buying out one of the area's largest absentee owners—how's that for regime change? The idea is to rehab/restore them and sell to homeowners, concentrating in one block to maximize the impact, instill greater consumer confidence, and plant a seed of revitalization that can then spread to neighboring blocks.

But it will only work with the support of the people: buyers, in other words. Plans call for repairing one of the homes right away as a model and working with prospective buyers to customize plans for the others. And while a few of the houses have serious remodeling issues to overcome, there's tons to work with in others. Two houses in particular—1616 and 1618 Jefferson have lots of intact detail: oak and maple floors, leaded glass, original doors and trim, built-ins and fireplaces with original tile and mantles (four in one house alone. Even more amazing, they're still in their original tiger-oak finish). With prices ranging in the 60- and 70-odd thousand-dollar range, once completely remodeled with central heat and air and updated kitchens and baths, these houses will certainly be affordable (comparable houses in 4th and Gill are bringing six figures these days). And don't let KHP's non-profit status fool you—these are market rate sales with no income limitations on buyers.

And the best part? With parks, greenways, a brand new YMCA within easy walking distance, and just minutes from downtown by bus or bike, you'll have no...well...need for oil.