The Ranken Community Development Corporation (RCDC) was incorporated in 1994 as a not-for- profit joint venture between Ranken Technical College and the St. Louis Association of Community Organizations, SLACO. RCDC's mission is to build and sell single family homes.
RCDC has completed thirteen homes to date; four are located on 4300 West Belle, six on 4500 Newberry Terrace and three on 4300 Page Blvd. Three additional homes on West Belle and Newberry will be complete by April 1, 1999. Homebuyers must meet federal income guidelines, due to the construction subsidy that supports the project. An eligible household's maximum annual income ranges from $26,400 for an individual to $40,700 for a family of five.
The homes all feature three bedrooms, living and dining rooms, a spacious kitchen and an attached one car garage. A two storey brick facade compliments the existing neighborhood architecture, with the remainder of the home finished in low maintenance vinyl siding. The homes have central air conditioning and a gas heating system, together with a full basement which can be finished by the purchaser. Each house has over 1,500 square feet in living space, and is designed for ease of maintenance. All homes receive a ten year tax abatement.
The community benefits from the investment made by the new homeowners, who bring a strong sense of pride to the upkeep of their property. RCDC is committed over the long term to building houses in the City's Lewis Place and Vandeventer neighborhoods.
RCDC employs minority contractors, wherever feasible, to perform other tasks on the houses such as brickwork, concrete flatwork, excavation, drywall taping and painting.
RCDC enables Ranken to provide excellent field training for the Carpentry and Refrigeration, Air- conditioning and Heating departments. The use of the students to perform specific trade items reduces the total development cost for each project. The unique partnership of educational training and community directed development help position RCDC as a key player in the ongoing revitalization of the Vandeventer and Lewis Place neighborhoods.
RCDC works closely with 18th ward Alderman Terry Kennedy and various City agencies in each's projects development. The SLACO representatives on RCDC's board play a key role in selecting sites for future homes. The City administers the federal community development block grant funds that serve as the construction subsidy.
Construction financing is provided by NationsBank. Mortgage financing has been provided by a variety of lenders, including Commerce, Mercantile and Magna banks. The houses are marketed by SLACO's housing coordinator.
For further information about the work of the Ranken Community Development Corporation,
contact Gerry Connolly (314) 286-3633.
For sales information, contact Julius Fuse at SLACO at 533-9104, extension 44.