Transformed streets, a stronger neighborhood, and a penguin.
For 10 years, concentrated investment in North of Broad has transformed entire streets, breathing new life into a community rich with history. The image of a penguin was used to help brand North of Broad (or “NoBo”), and today is a part of the neighborhood’s identity and a symbol of better things to come.
In 2005, Homeport began a comprehensive effort to support revitalization of the historic King-Lincoln District (KLD) just east of downtown Columbus. Concentrated in an area within the KLD dubbed “North of Broad,” Homeport’s investment includes new and renovated single-family homes for buyers of varying income levels.
““Homeport doesn’t just build a home and walk away. They build a community of people. I’ve witnessed it happen, I’ve seen the transformation in neighborhoods, and it’s incredibly inspiring.””
Homeport set a new neighborhood standard for energy efficiency, and built Ohio’s first affordable LEED Platinum single-family home in North of Broad. In addition to making a substantial mark on the residential side of North of Broad, Homeport staff and volunteers invested thousands of hours in community art projects, commercial and residential paintings and plantings, a community garden, and other enhancements.
While considerable work remains to be done, quality of life for residents of the King-Lincoln District has changed substantially over the last decade – a change that would not have happened without the vision and collaborative efforts of both private and public leadership.