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Like many of Troy's old neighborhoods, Eighth, Ninth,
and 10th streets between Hoosick Street and Ingalls
Avenue in North Central Troy has a rich history.
Built in the 1800s, this largely residential neighborhood
was comprised of beautiful rowhouses with exquisite
architecture. One of the most famous is the "Kate
Mullaney house" at 350 Eighth St., the once grand
three-story, brick double rowhouse where the founder
of the Collar Laundry Union lived with her family in
the 1870s, and which first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
visited several years ago.
Today this section of Troy is one of the most racially
diverse neighborhoods, due largely to several migration
movements. The first was the migration of southern blacks
into the north. One of the earliest black families to
settle in the neighborhood migrated from the south in
the 1940s and purchased a home on Eighth Street, attracted
by the quiet neighborhood and large yards.
As their relatives and friends moved north over the
next decade, this family and others like it served as
hosts, sharing their homes with them until they were
able to purchase or rent homes of their own, which they
often did nearby.
Today, many of the African-American families in this
neighborhood are connected, either by blood, marriage
or through worshipping at the same church. There are
several "matriarchs" of the neighborhood -
women who have lived there for 40 or more years, raised
their children there, and benefit from having their
children and grandchildren remain in the neighborhood,
living nearby. It is not unusual to see these women
out sweeping their sidewalks when they are able, and
occasionally chiding neighborhood children for their
behavior.
The second migration to settle in this area was the
more recent influx of Hispanic residents. There are
estimates of 600-700 families currently in Troy, and
growing steadily. Some living in the area come from
the same small village, Arroyo, Puerto Rico, again representing
lots of connections between and among them.
Once an easy walk to downtown and shopping, the construction
of Hoosick Street as a major east/west corridor virtually
isolates this neighborhood from downtown today. Its'
geography also adds a sense of isolation from surrounding
neighborhoods, as the challenging hill up Middleburgh
Street, leading east from the Hudson River, creates
a sense of separation from its neighbors on Sixth and
Seventh avenues. However, this hill also provides some
excellent views from Eighth street, not to mention the
thrill of sledding down the "oasis" on the
east side of Eighth.
Over the past several decades, these parts of Eighth,
Ninth and 10th streets experienced many of the typical
problems of inner-city living. Now haunted by little
more than the ghosts of past drug dealers and troublemakers,
North Central has emerged as a vibrant, lively and viable
neighborhood.
Both lifelong residents and newcomers alike participate
in neighborhood improvements, cleanups and community
events. Local partners in the efforts to revitalize
this area include, among others, Community Police, which
sponsors block parties and other kids' activities, among
other roles; Community Gardens, which created and supports
several wonderfully-prolific vegetable gardens and other
greenspaces in this otherwise urban environment; Weed
and Seed, providing needed programs and services and
fun activities to residents; and Troy Rehabilitation
and Improvement Program, which has invested in many
properties to bring them back to their original splendor.
TRIP manages and maintains nearly two hundred affordable
apartments in 63 buildings within this community, carefully
screening potential tenants and proactively responding
to neighborhood issues. This neighborhood's small nine-block
area is also host to - and partners with - several successful
small businesses, churches, "pocket parks,"
the local elementary school, and a variety of community-based
organizations and agencies, together creating a dynamic
neighborhood.
Several years ago, area residents formed a neighborhood
association to begin planning the future of their neighborhood.
This vision includes the removal of some of the worst
eyesore properties, rehabilitation of other properties,
opening retail stores and services, creating a "tot
lot," and building a new community garden to replace
several vacant lots and a dilapidated, abandoned building.
Working to improve the neighborhood has not just been
the efforts of the area's adults; young people have
become involved as well. They have particularly focused
on the neighborhood playground on 10th Street, which
has severe drainage problems that flood the basketball
court regularly. These kids met recently with city officials
to share drawings of their dream park and a list of
improvements that are needed.
While problems still exist in the neighborhood, today
there is a growing sense of optimism about its future
and a commitment from residents to work with their partners
on it.
Hilary Lamishaw is director of community affairs, TRIP.
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