Monday, December 17, 2007
A Dream Realized
A Saylor Logging LLC truck out of Valley with freshly cut timbers aboard rolling along Greater Peace Drive on Monday was just another sign that affordable housing was coming to the Jeter community of Opelika, courtesy of the Greater Peace Community Development Corporation or CDC.
September 18, 2007
The sign read, “Jordan’s Gate - Coming in 2008.“
A Saylor Logging LLC truck out of Valley with freshly cut timbers aboard rolling along Greater Peace Drive on Monday was just another sign that affordable housing was coming to the Jeter community of Opelika, courtesy of the Greater Peace Community Development Corporation or CDC.
Behind the Greater Peace Development Center off Fox Run Parkway, the Rev. Clifford Jones of Greater Peace Baptist Church and other officials including Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Project Developer Fred Bennett, CDC President Arturo Menefee and CDC board member Bill Sauser were decked out with shovels and hard hats. Together they marked a “groundbreaking” moment more than two years in the making.
Once built, Jones said there would be some 48 single-family homes in Jordan’s Gate complete with carports. The homes would range from 1,300- to 1,500-square-feet and would serve as a 15-year rental with the option to buy.
Jones said applications for houses in Jordan’s Gate would be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Interested parties should stop by Greater Peace Baptist Church, 650 Jeter Ave., and fill out an application complete with a letter of intent.
“This is a faith-based way to cross over from rental to homeownership,“ Jones said. “Jordan’s Gate, the name, was chosen to symbolize the people of Israel crossing Jordan over into freedom.“
Herbert Slaughter, chairman of the Greater Peace Baptist Church Deacon Board and 61-year church member, said that Jordan’s Gate will serve the community well.
“I think this housing will spark a lot of interest,“ Slaughter said. “We hope this can be a stepping stone where people can move from there to something better. It’s a beautiful thing.“
As Menefee looked out at the gathered crowd, he said they were witness to a realized dream.
“We could not have done it by ourselves,“ he said.
The project, which was largely funded by the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, has since gathered a faithful following.
“This has spawned NeighborWorks relationships. Every banker in town is talking to us about revitalization,“ said Fred Bennett, president and CEO of Bennett & Company LLC.
Fuller agreed with the impact this development could have on the community.
“You know, we’re all in this together ... “ Fuller said. “Affordable, acceptable housing is not only important today but will be even more important five years from now for our workforce.“