Organization History and Mission

ESNDC was founded in 1979 by East Side residents and business owners in response to disinvestment in the Payne/Phalen Lake neighborhood due to an aging housing stock, rising crime rates, factory shutdowns, and business closings. ESNDC’s board, staff, and volunteers continue to work in partnership with public, private, and non-profit partners to create and implement comprehensive strategies to revitalize the neighborhood through housing, economic and human development initiatives.

ESNDC’s mission is to create wealth and well-being in a thriving and engaged multi-cultural neighborhood.

Major Programs
ESNDC’s comprehensive development and wealth creation strategy is based on actively engaging the diverse people and businesses in the neighborhood in housing, economic, and human development work. ESNDC also acts as a catalyst and project sponsor for major redevelopment initiatives in the neighborhood. ESNDC actively develops partnerships with government, the private sector, foundations, and other non-profit organizations to accomplish the development goals that have been established by the neighborhood.

Housing Development – improving the quality and affordability of owner-occupied and rental housing. ESNDC owns and operates affordable rental housing, rehabs vacant houses and builds new homes. We partner with private and non-profit developers on major redevelopment projects, and helps home owners and landlords secure home improvement loans and grants.

Economic Development – revitalizing the Payne Avenue and Arcade Street commercial areas. ESNDC’s Commercial Corridor Revitalization Program – Main Street engages in a comprehensive revitalization strategy that integrates work in four critical areas: commercial development efforts help with business expansion, façade improvement projects and filling vacant storefronts; marketing and promotions to increase visibility of the commercial district; crime and safety initiatives for clean, safe streets; building and streetscape design; and implementing public improvements and gateway redesign.

The Prosperity Campaign, a new initiative, will build personal wealth for neighborhood residents through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, job development, and home ownership.

Human Development – engaging people in building strong families in a prosperous multi-cultural neighborhood. ESNDC brings neighbors together by engaging them in building strong families in a prosperous multi-cultural neighborhood. The East Side Family Center is a unique school-based model that builds strong families through direct social services, cultural engagement activities, wealth building strategies, housing assistance, and information and referral services at four of our neighborhood schools. These efforts will be expanded during the next three years to include greater access to public benefits, job development, and financial literacy through the Center for Working Families and the Community Saving Center.

Community Catalyst and Project Sponsor – inspiring, mobilizing, and supporting comprehensive redevelopment. ESNDC brings together and engages community members from various cultures and sectors (business, churches, schools, non-profits, etc) with outside stakeholders (government, foundations, private investors, etc.) to create partnerships, and develop solutions to neighborhood problems. (Payne/Lake Community Partnership, Opportunity Housing Investment Fund, Center for Working Families, etc.)

We also provide quality administrative support to new and major neighborhood initiatives such as the Phalen Corridor Initiative (jobs and new roadway) and the Lower Phalen Creek Restoration Project (nature sanctuary, rain gardens, and bike trails).

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© 2008 East Side Neighborhood Development Company, Inc.