Aiken hopes to inspire change in Crosland Park

AIKEN --- After a north side redevelopment plan for the Toole Hill subdivision, the city of Aiken is turning its attention to Crosland Park.

Community leaders from Crosland Park have come forward with the goal of keeping the neighborhood from declining into a crime-ridden, neglected area full of vacant, overgrown lots and abandoned houses.

"When this new group of leaders emerged, they looked around and realized the neighborhood didn't look like it did 15 years ago," said Cynthia Mitchell, of the city's Neighborhood and Development Services department.

In response, they formed the Community, Information and Safety Team, which conducts block walks, a neighborhood watch program and educates neighbors about such things as code enforcement and community resources.

Crosland Park was built in the 1950s as housing for employees at Savannah River Site.

"I think you're starting to see a neighborhood that is aging, but it hasn't gotten as bad as Toole Hill" was before the revitalization, said Leasa Segura, the director of Neighborhood and Development Services.

In Toole Hill, the city tore down 35 abandoned houses and had them rebuilt. It also oversaw the remodeling of many structures.

In Crosland Park, the goal isn't to completely rebuild the area but to instill greater community involvement in the area's upkeep.

"We're trying to get a number of churches and other community development corporations where we all join together to change Crosland Park from the inside out," City Manager Roger LeDuc said.

First, the city is building lines of communication with residents.

"Crosland Park is putting together the foundation so that they will have a neighborhood that speaks with a unified voice and knows what they want," Ms. Segura said.

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.