Salisbury, N.C. -- The historic West End of Salisbury could soon be restored to its former glory. The Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundation is helping to kickstart the West End Initiative. Residents say they want less crime, more educational opportunities and an end to the growing number of vacant houses.
Carolyn Rice has watched houses fall into disrepair around her in the West End. More than 40 homes are empty now, despite years of promises from the City of Salisbury and other groups.
"We want the neighborhood to be improved, we want to see these houses no longer boarded up,” said Rice.
The West End Initiative, through the Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundation, hopes to help where others have fallen short.
"Foremost in my initiative will to be find some use for them, either to replace them restore them or find some other use for them,” said Jason Walser, a consultant and board member with the Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundation.
Walser says focusing on early childhood education, mixed income quality housing and healthy living are key. Brenner Crossing, a complex still being built, is one example of mixed income housing in the area. Walser has met with community leaders in the West End for about two months to hear their concerns. The goal is to listen and help provide resources. Walser says they will be incorporating the Purpose Built Communities model used across the country.
"We want to let the community own it, and let the community leaders make the decision as to what it looks like,” said Walser.
Others, including new Salisbury city council members David Post and Ken Hardin, are volunteering their time in the West End.
"Set up a referral service and get the lawyers in town engaged in providing services to people that can't afford the rates,” said Post.
The organizers of the initiative don't have a timetable yet, but they stress that gaining trust of the West End community is important.
As neighbors wait to see how the project will pan out, they’re hopeful this initiative will be successful.
“If they're going to come and make that improvement, we will give them a high five, you know what I'm saying, a high five but don't say you're going to do it, and don't do it, because there are some of us that are going to be watching you,” said Rice.
Foundation members say the next step is recruiting non-profits and businesses to help support the initiative. Groups that include Habitat for Humanity, the City of Salisbury and Livingstone College have already offered to help.