Richland County developed its Neighborhood Revitalization Program to promote community involvement, preserve neighborhood character and integrity, and increase the overall opportunities for residents to secure safe and affordable housing as well as economic opportunities. The County has determined that the impact of improvements such as public infrastructure, rehabilitation of housing, construction of infill housing, and economic development are best maximized through a focused, systematic approach in which all needed improvements are completed one neighborhood at a time. In its first 5 years as an Entitlement Community, Richland County has concentrated its comprehensive neighborhood revitalization efforts in the Arthurtown and Ridgewood communities.

Revitalization in the Arthurtown Community has been completed and included the paving of all dirt roads, installation of underground drainage pipes, installation of sidewalks and street enhancements that promote safety and awareness, and upgrading of existing outdoor recreation facilities. Funding for the revitalization of the Arthurtown Community was primarily provided through CDBG funding. The revitalization of the Ridgewood Neighborhood began in 2003, with CDBG and HOME funding to provide infrastructure upgrades; new housing development as well as improvements to existing housing; clean-up of hazardous materials; enhance existing recreation and Monticello Rd streetscape. Revitalization of the Ridgewood Community is still underway, with a number of substandard houses, dilapidated buildings, and numerous vacant and often overgrown lots remaining to be addressed. The Richland County Community Development Department estimates that revitalization of the Ridgewood Community will continue for at least 3 of the 5 years in this 2007-2011 Consolidated Plan.

View the Ridgewood Master Plan (File Format: .pdf; File Size: 1,188 KB)

Ridgewood Celebrates National Community Development Week

Recreation Improvements

NACo Award

Project Updates

For more information, please contact Jocelyn Jennings at jenningsj@rcgov.us.