The Kilby, Gardner, Hammond Neighborhood Revitalization Project is representative of a community driven approach to the redevelopment of an inner city neighborhood. It is an ambitious project that is dependent upon public/private partnerships for its success and whose fundamental objectives are based on the “Smart Growth” principles of urban redevelopment. Such a project requires the assistance of Federal, State and local agencies as well as philanthropic support from foundations and private sources. It also takes political will and we are grateful for the efforts of the late Senator Edward Kennedy and Congressman James P. McGovern to obtain the necessary resources to make the project possible. Many people are to be thanked including the City administration, mayor and City Council for their belief in this project and their willingness to use the City’s loan guaranty authority to leverage the financing to make this all possible.

Since 1996, the Main South CDC has been working with its development partners, Clark University, the Boys & Girls Club and the City of Worcester, as well as with neighborhood residents to initiate the reclamation of this 30 acre site. The project partners have already acquired and cleared 7.8 acres of industrial Brownfield’s and substandard housing units. In its place now stands the the new Boys & Girls Clubhouse and in the works a new athletic field for Clark University.

Along with the construction of a new clubhouse and athletic complex, the Main South CDC is developing 80+ affordable homeownership units for sale to the first-time homebuyers. Currently, the Main South CDC has constructed and sold 42 of the 80 proposed units and is moving forward with phase three of the KGH project. The acquisition of properties in phase three was completed in 2007, financing was secured and construction of Phase III-A is complete and now we are working to finish construction of Phase III-B.

The KGH project has widespread support from residents who have been included in the planning process from day one and have been invited to several progress meetings. Residents see the plan as a last chance for a neighborhood that has been neglected for many years. There are over 40 vacant lots within the 30 acres and over $600,000 of property tax liens. Evidence of neighborhood support is displayed by the fact that it was not necessary to invoke eminent domain proceedings for any of the property acquisitions. Residents were willing to sell property to move from a bad situation, that they recognized needed improving.

Furthermore, the Main South CDC has recently seen an increase in applicants participating in its first-time homebuyer selection process who are interested in acquiring the new or renovated units made available in the Main South area. Due to the close relationship between the project partners, Clark University, Boys & Girls Club and City of Worcester, the Main South area has public safety resources in place in its slowly rejuvenating neighborhood. New athletic center and Boys & Girls club along with the affordable homeownership units are helping attract more people into the Main South neighborhood as well as creating more opportunities for its residents.

Importantly, the Main South CDC continues to monitor resident’s positive perception of the KGH project through surveys and outreach. Such feedback helps us ensure that community members remain supportive of the project and that their perception of the changes remains positive. Survey results from 2002 and follow up results from 2005 would suggest extensive support of the KGH project due to the positive effects it is having on the neighborhood. Some of the biggest concerns, such as lack of affordable housing, safety issues and unsanitary living environment are being addressed by the KGH redevelopment project. According to the surveys, 82% of the Main South residents believe that the KGH project will benefit the neighborhood in the future; 78% of the residents attributed their anticipation of a positive future to the Boys & Girls Club and a very small number of the residents surveyed expressed concern about the effects of the project. The new perception of the Main South area is motivating more people to maintain their neighborhood as well as creating a stronger sense of community.

Survey responses are as follows:
(Survey conducted by Clark University students)