Oak Hill Jackson Neighborhood Association

Oak Hill Jackson Neighborhood Association

Introduction

Oak Hill, located along the Cedar River in the Southeast quadrant of Cedar Rapids, is one of Cedar Rapids' earliest established neighborhoods and was settled by Czech immigrants in the mid-1800's. While the neighborhood was hit hard by the closure of several important industries, including Iowa Steel, Iowa Iron, and the Farmstead meat packing facility, the people of Oak Hill do not see the neighborhood as a lost cause-for good reason. Oak Hill has a special heritage and character, unlike any other place in Cedar Rapids. And in recent years, new businesses have moved into the neighborhood and many new homes have been built, all bringing new life to the area. The City's decision to pursue redevelopment represents a continuation of Oak Hill's renaissance. It is fitting that the Oak Hill-Jackson Neighborhood Association (OJNA), as the organization that charges itself with Oak Hill's well being, is working to play a strong role in the redevelopment efforts, coordinated by the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.

Oak Hill Vision Project

In November 2001, OJNA initiated a project called the Oak Hill Vision Project (OHVP), designed to dovetail with the preliminary information-gathering phase of the redevelopment project and serve as an important close look at the neighborhood for the residents themselves. The most apparent goal of OHVP is to give residents a strong and important voice in the redevelopment of the neighborhood by collecting information that compliments and assists with the Chambers' information gathering process. But the OHVP is also a tool for community building. Community building goals include bringing residents together, helping residents learn more about the neighborhood and what they would like to see it become, helping neighbors get involved in the neighborhood and its revitalization, and testing OHVP as a vehicle for communicating with and organizing the neighborhood. The collective vision emerging from this project will-and in one case, already has-become collective action in the neighborhood.

The People of Oak Hill

Perhaps Oak Hill's most important asset is its people. Oak Hill has one of the most culturally and ethnically divers populations in the city, and this is part of what makes Oak Hill unique. The poeple here are friendly and independent and make this neighborhood a safe place to live. The H.D. Youth Center, Candleworks, and the many neighborhood churches provide centers of social cohesion. The "feel" of the neighborhood is frequently mentioned-the architecture of the old buildings, Osada and the Cherry Building as interesting examples of adaptive reuse; and the mixed use that provides the active street life and the pedestrian-oriented nature of the neighborhood are important parts of Oak Hill's character. Oak Hill is not a neighborhood of franchises, parking lots, and cookie-cutter houses. Residents are also pleased with the access to services: affordable housing, Bender Pool, many area parks, McKinley Middle and Metro High Schools, Jane Boyd Community House, Mercy Hospital, the Free Medical Clinic, and the river trail. The neighborhood's business establishments are also important: House of Beauty, Freda's Beauty Rama, The Baker's Oven, Little Bohemia, the U.S. Post Office CSPS and Third Street Live and resale shops like 3rd Street Resale. In general these places are appreciated because of their originality and the special character they lend to the neighborhood. Finally, the neighborhood's great potential is an important asset. We have lots of building stock for reuse (particularly for small businesses), important development opportunities for the neighborhood's vacant land, the riverfront, a potential for tourism, and the general sense that new residents, homes and businesses are breathing back life into Oak Hill-Jackson.