Council hears Orange-Breckenridge project report


Planning & Community Development Director Erris Dunston reported to the Henderson City Council during Monday evening’s work session on the progress of the Orange-Breckenridge project.

During the last meeting of the city council, a “master plan” was unveiled and adopted that combined the Orange-Breckenridge housing improvement project, the Zene Street community center project, and the Embassy Square project for purposes of seeking funding.

Dunston said that she was trying to “collaboratively push resources”. She said that Ransom Street would be the focus as the next project. Located in the middle of the Orange-Breckenridge project, it contains a mix of renters and homeowners. All but two of the homes are occupied.

The city planning director said that the project would involve some demolition, acquisition as necessary, rehabilitation [of houses], street improvements, and water/sewer improvements as needed.

Dunston said that she was asking the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG) to assist in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application.

She added that she wants to get more beneficiaries with the Orange-Breckenridge project than there were with the David Street project. She said that her approach was to try to “raise the bar” on the whole area instead of one spot in the middle of the area.

The council agreed to move forward with the project.