New park the start of "transformation" for South Lorain, officials say

LORAIN — Officials from the city and the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority broke ground on a community park they said will begin a process of transformation and revitalization in South Lorain. The groundbreaking Thursday morning marked the beginning of the development of the South Lorain Community Park that will be built within the Southside Gardens housing complex operated by LMHA. "This park is going to be a community hub that will serve our partners and our residents in South Lorain," LMHA CEO Judy Carlin said Thursday. "We're thrilled to be here." Housing Authority Chief Operating Officer Gale Sayers Proby said that the park project was originally sparked by a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant program. Sayers Proby said that officials and board of the LMHA decided to look at that money as just a jumping-off point, eventually raising $1.3 million for the park and community space project. "HUD gave us $100,000 to make this project possible," Sayers Proby said. "We raised the rest. This is a $1.3 million park that is going to be built on this corner that's going to be a beacon of hope to the residents and this community that transformation is possible, and it's coming. We will not stop until we see change on this side (of) Lorain." It is hoped that the success of the project's completion will lead to an additional $40 million grant from HUD to carry out the renovation of the Southside Gardens and construction of mixed-income housing across South Lorain. Sayers Proby thanked many members of City Council and Mayor Jack Bradley's administration for their commitment and contribution to the project, which included a $350,000 commitment. "It's working together, collaborations, that make things happen in our community," Bradley said. "... Gale and Judy are superstars. We got the right people at the right time. Our Building, Housing and Planning Department is the best building, housing and planning department (and) community development department in the state of Ohio. So we're gonna continue to work together, make great things happen for our city." The administration of President Donald Trump has announced plans to slash funding at HUD and cut more than half its staffing, according to National Public Radio. In the face of proposed cuts, Bradley said that he and other officials planned to travel to Washington D.C. "at some point" to advocate for granting LMHA the funding it needs to carry out the South Lorain project. Within minutes of the groundbreaking, workers from Medina construction contractor Dunlop and Johnston were already hard at work clearing the site. "We've actually had this project for a couple of months now, so it takes some pre-planning and coordination and that sort of thing before we hit the ground so that when we do, we can get going quick," Randy Spencer, Dunlop and Johnston owner and president, said. "We're glad to finally get started in the field." Spencer said that his company had worked on another large public park project recently when it constructed the Canton Centennial Plaza in Canton. Carlin said that the work being done among the Southside Gardens was a continuation of the legacy of the work and advocacy of public officials like Safety/Service Director Rey Carrion and Council President Joel Arredondo, who hail from South Lorain. She also told The Chronicle-Telegram after the groundbreaking that she felt the project was crucial to demonstrate to the residents of the city, and especially of the south side, that the Housing Authority was committed to serving them and revitalizing their community. "I want you to know we are a pain in the butt sometimes, but we will not stop," Carlin said to the small crowd. "We came to this city with a vision. We know what can happen when strong communities work together…. We are Lorain strong, and we are South Lorain strong. So we are thrilled that you're here with us and we're going to see change." The funding behind the project was provided by the following organizations: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Choice Neighborhood Initiative Planning Grant: $100,000 The city of Lorain: $400,000 The Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority: $233,000 The Finch Group: $400,000 The Nord Family Foundation: $130,000 The Community Foundation of Lorain County: $60,000 First National Bank: $5,000 Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.