The Community Property Development Corporation (CPDC) and The St. Paul A.M.E. Church seek to support urban revitalization efforts east and west of interstate I-71 by developing property located at 100 and 112 Jefferson Avenue at the corner of East Long Street. The site is situated directly adjacent to St. Paul A.M.E. Church. CPDC acquired land in March of 1999, with the intention of developing the St. Paul Wellness Center.
Neighborhoods east and west of I-71 have long struggled with issues of high unemployment, poverty, crime, poor housing conditions and a declining commercial base. The construction of I-71 in the early 70's divided the Near East side into two quadrants, virtually removing all housing east, north and southeast of I-71.
The St. Paul Wellness Center is a crucial part of neighborhood revitalization efforts. The 2.5 million dollar development project fills a void by housing health care providers to address growing health concerns among Near East side residents. Nearly 3 out of every 10 families have little or no health insurance to address chronic illnesses related to depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disease, cancer and lupus. In addition, the area lacks affordable dental facilities or medial laboratories.
The Community Property Development Corporation's vision for the St. Paul Wellness center began in 1999. After conducting a community needs assessment, the church purchased property located at 112 Jefferson Avenue with the intent of developing a community building. The site was previously home to an old Marathon gas station that had been displaced by the I-71 construction. The gas station was demolished and the underground tanks removed. As part of the acquisition, a Phase I and Phase II environmental study was conducted with minor violations found. The most prevalent land use near Jefferson Avenue is residential and institutional. The St. Paul Wellness center has mixed-use zoning and secured parking. The development objectives are:
-
To expand the ourtreach
ministries of St. Paul A.M.E. Church
-
To contribute to
neighborhood revitalization efforts
-
To provide affordable
health care services to low income residents
-
To provide affordable
space to health care providers
-
To support neighborhood
health care and social service initiatives.
