JANICE P. BIGGERS

REVOLVING-REDEVELOPMENT FUND 

GREAT NEWS FOR HIGH UPTOWN!

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Last September, HCF acquired three houses on Third Avenue from SEE Properties in the High Uptown Historic District.  While you might not think they are much to look at, they are each listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are significant remaining examples of the historic fabric of High Uptown.  

 

Fast forward to February, Historic Columbus was awarded a $75,000 grant to be used for the rehabilitation of the three houses!  The funds will be a part of the JPB Revolving-Redevelopment Fund and were granted by the 1772 Foundation of Providence, Rhode Island.  The 1772 Foundation plays a leading role in promoting revolving funds, nationwide.     

 

Other acquisitions of the surrounding vacant property were recently made by Ken Henson for a new residential development.  As a result, the three houses became of interest to incorporate into a new vision for the block that would combine historic preservation with compatibly designed new construction.  They were sold with Façade Easements to Mr. Henson just two weeks ago.

 

Now, thanks to the 1772 Foundation, Historic Columbus will be able to provide a Rehabilitation Loan of $75,000 for their exterior renovation of the three properties.  The exterior work will be completed and funds will be repaid by October of this year. Then, the 1772 Foundation grant funds will be put back to work in the JPB Revolving-Redevelopment Fund for another project, and so on, and so on. 

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Our short term goal to preserve the three High Uptown houses will be met by the end of this year thanks to SEE Properties, Ken Henson, and the 1772 Foundation!  Historic Columbus’ long term goals and vision remain focused on the expansion of existing loan programs into The Mill District and revolving more of the remaining historic properties within High Uptown and the four historic neighborhoods that comprise The Mill District.  

 

This great High Uptown activity coupled with the recent news of Mercer Medical School’s river location, the coming new hotel at City Mills, and the redevelopment of Chase Homes is incredible news for making a transformation of the Second Avenue corridor into the strong entrance into our city that it should be.  The momentum is real! 

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The Janice P. Biggers Revolving-Redevelopment Fund was created in 1968 and since that time, Historic Columbus has revolved over 80 properties and returned over $14 million to the Muscogee County tax roles.

 

The 1772 Foundation, based in Providence, RI, plays a leading role in promoting historic properties redevelopment programs (HPRPs), also known as revolving funds, nationwide.   At their quarterly meeting, its trustees awarded HPRP grants totaling $1,648,000 to 27 organizations across the country. Individual grants ranged in amount from $10,000 to $150,000.