Making Dreams Come True (Spring 2004)
 |
| Iris Ortiz, Katrina Nieves and Faustino Nieves stand on the porch of their new Cityscape Home on Allen Place. |
On Friday, March 5th, Iris Ortiz stepped into a dream. On that morning, Iris and her family moved into their new Cityscape house. After a lifetime of renting apartments, Iris crossed the threshold at 30 Allen Place, entering her own home for the first time.
'This is a dream come true," Iris exclaimed. Iris's Allen Place house is part of the Cityscape Homes project, a collaborative effort between SINA and Broad-Park Development Corporation. This partnership, called Pope Park Zion, is revitalizing blocks throughout the Frog Hollow neighborhood and providing homeownership opportunities for community residents.
For the last 14 years, Iris has been a tenant. "It's natural for families to grow and move into homeownership," Broad-Park's Director of Real Estate Development David Mesite explains. "We are pleased that Iris has moved on to become a homeowner in a proper-tv that we are developing."
"I couldn't believe it," Iris stated upon first entering her new place. "This is so nice. Having a house is the best thing that I did." Iris's husband and daughters share her enthusiasm. "We have a beautiful yard," Iris effused. 'That's the thing my husband loves the most."
Iris's home is the 1 8th of 51 properties that are being constructed or completely renovated in the Cityscapes Homes project. Seven more houses are currently under construction, and the remaining properties (in the School and Colonial Street area) are in the planning stage.
|
