Martin Street area, adjacent to Rust College.

Holly Springs families benefit from home makeover

By: Irving R. Smith, Staff Writer, The Rustorian

Posted: 11/30/09

With the combined efforts of the Community Development Corporation of Rust College and the City of Holly Springs, the once run-down areas around the college are now being revitalized.

CDC has undertaken the makeover project with grants totaling $500,000 received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Martin Street neighborhood is the first beneficiary with 11 houses now renovated in the area.

Clencie Cotton, CDC director, said the homes were reconstructed for the affected families, and the city government carried out the necessary infrastructure improvement for the area.

Sally Holloway has been a resident of Holly Springs all of her life. She was one of the owners who was paid to live at another location during the reconstruction of her home.

"They set up a trailer for us to place our furniture and belongings in and tore everything down," said Holloway. "They finished rebuilding everything and I love the look."

"It's been a combined effort, and we have made much progress," said Cotton. "Rust College had the responsibility of restoring the houses which are now completed and the city is in the process of restoring the infrastructure such as paving the streets, sidewalks, sewers, lights and the fencing."

Cotton said CDC is in the process of moving to the next phase of the program, which is the construction of five new homes for sale to low and moderate income residents of the community.

This story first appeared in The South Reporter, Dec. 24 edition.