May 30, 2003 -The Gazette-Virginian
A $700,000 Community Development Block Grant awarded to the county this week will kick off revitalization of the Town of Halifax’s core business district.
“We will seek a balance of jobs, homes, services and amenities by removing visual and physical blight that have occurred from years of economic erosion in our area,” said Carl Espy, Halifax Planning Commission chairman.
Engineering and design work will continue as town officials and businessmen prepare for the anticipated Spring 2004 construction date.
Improved sidewalks, and facade enhancement of the downtown storefronts through a 50/50 cost-share will be the focus of the CDBG funding.
The county is also applying for a TEA-21 grant for approximately $385,000 in June, according to Espy.
If awarded, relocation of utility lines would be the focus of those funds.
“I want to commend David Martin (chairman of the Board of Supervisors) for initiating the idea that the county be proactive with the town on its revitalization,” County Administrator Joe Morgan said yesterday.
“He (Martin) was the initiative of the county’s involvement and the cooperation of the planning commission staff, the town staff, Town Manager Greene and the town’s Planning Commission Chairman Carl Espy with Assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace made a good team to get this project moving.
“It’s an interesting combination. The county is actually the grant applicant. We had more experience with grants,” he explained, naming numerous industrial and infrastructure grant applications.
“This grant will enable the town and county to continue the improvements to the entire downtown area and compliment the recently completed War Memorial project as well as serve as a springboard for future activities that will include utility relocations and other improvement efforts,” observed Lovelace.
“This is one of Gail Moody’s projects,” he added.
“I am very encouraged and excited about this project,” Moody, Southside Planning District Commission senior planner, said yesterday.
“This project is special because it’s a joint effort between the county and the town. I think it is a very positive thing for Halifax.
“It’s such an enthusiastic group working. Without their support, this project would never have happened,” Moody added yesterday.
“We are very pleased the county got the grant,” said Halifax Town Manager Robert Greene. “The Town is looking forward to working with the county on the joint Streetscape project.”
“The aim of the Halifax Revitalization Project is to provide economic opportunity and quality of life for those who work or visit here and those who call the town home,” said Espy.
“National surveys indicate that the ‘small town’ is the strong preference as the ideal place to live, and this model is how we can rebuild for the future,” added the town’s planning commission chairman..
“Just as with the Halifax County War Memorial, many people have worked hard and will continue to do so as we move into the first construction phase,” he added.
LandMark Design Group and Southside Planning District Commission are major players in the town’s revitalization.
Gov. Mark Warner announced more than $10.7 million in 2003 CDBG grant offers to 18 localities throughout Virginia Tuesday.
The grants benefit low-income residents and will support community and economic development projects such as medical and community centers, downtown revitalization and job creation.
“These funds address quality of life issues for Virginians, as well as helping improve the infrastructure that attracts economic development and opportunity,” Warner said in a press release earlier this week.
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development administers the CDBG program for the state.