1159 South Anniversary Groundbreaking

Springfield, Ohio, August 3, 2020 — Approaching its one-year anniversary, 1159 South Community Development Corporation is breaking ground on two new community spaces on the historic South Yellow Springs Street corridor.  On August 7 and 8, the non-profit will begin to transform four vacant lots at two key intersections on the corridor into unique places for community engagement, information and fun.

The South Yellow Springs St. corridor, a historically vibrant African American main street in southwest Springfield, has experienced decades of disinvestment and now has several vacant lots.  Times are, however, changing.  In recent years, new businesses have started up and residents are excited about the corridor’s potential.

Guided by the results of its recent Community Engagement Survey, 1159 South is converting four vacant lots into community assets that will provide neighbors with new ways to gather, be inspired, have fun and become engaged with the positive change that’s happening here.  1159 South purchased the lots earlier this year from the Clark County Land Reutilization Corporation, also known as the land bank, and has developed conceptual drawings for the spaces that are fun, artful, and inspiring.

According to 1159 South’s co-founder, Lawrence Beavers, this is the beginning of the non-profit’s southwest Springfield revitalization mission that is being driven by community input.  “Our strategy,” said Mr. Beavers, “is to focus on making significant improvements aligned with residents’ desires in concentrated areas that will have the most impact, starting with the highly visible South Yellow Springs St. corridor.”  Board member Neal Browning added, “we expect these new community assets to anchor 1159 South’s plans for housing improvements and economic development on and near the corridor.”

The first project, Grand Harmony, sits at the intersection of West Grand Avenue and South Yellow Springs Street.  This project will transform three vacant lots on nearly one-half acres into a beautifully landscaped community gathering space for people of all ages.  Landscaping is planned for early August.  Future plans include bright sunny porch swings called the Yellow Swings on Yellow Springs designed to bring new energy to the corridor.  At Grand Harmony, once the pandemic ends, children will have space to play and neighbors will be able to meet up or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

The Innisfallen Inspiration Garden, located at the nearby intersection of Innisfallen Avenue and South Yellow Springs Street, will also break ground this month.  Its planned features include landscaping, seating, and cultural elements.  There will be a Walkway of Us, paved with bricks personalized by residents and south Springfield supporters.  According to board member, Bobby Mims, “as we work together as a community, it is important to highlight the collective strength of the people in this city that I love, which is what the Walkway of Us is all about.”

The Innisfallen Inspiration Garden will also showcase stories of some remarkable people who have called south Springfield home.  There are many such people to choose from, including courageous civil rights activist Dorothy Bacon, whose compassion for the plight of impoverished African-American children who passed by her West Grand Avenue home daily and anger at the larger community’s apparent indifference to their plight drove her into the heart of the civil rights movement; Davey Moore, who trained for international boxing fame in a garage on South Yellow Springs Street and never forgot his southwest Springfield roots; and Dr. Thomas Burton, who was born a slave, but grew to prominence as Springfield’s first African-American physician while also gaining distinction as an accomplished businessman, organizer, poet and writer.

With such strong roots and the strength and resilience of its current residents, southwest Springfield’s future is bright.  1159 South believes that bright and brilliant future starts now.

Ways to Help.  If you are interested in supporting 1159 South’s mission to significantly improve southwest Springfield, there are many ways to help:

• Volunteer, buy a brick, sponsor a project, or make a financial donation at www.1159south.org
• Email info@1159south.org to donate in-kind materials, space for events, or professional services