Reflections From Our Executive Director
As my time at East Liberty Development, Inc. surpasses the 10-year milestone, I reflect on how far we have come as an organization and community. When I came to East Liberty in 1996, I took on the challenges of a struggling CDC attempting to support a forgotten neighborhood with growing community tension and economic problems. I am pleased to say that today people are taking notice of East Liberty’s rapidly-growing market status.
From all of my time here, one of the most valuable lessons I have to share is that changing a neighborhood takes patience. The issues of East Liberty cannot be solved with a quick fix. After years of delivering on promises made to the residents and stakeholders by providing high-quality affordable housing, an array of retail options and market-boosting developments. Residents are also reaping the benefits with new employment opportunities; these developments have created over 200 local jobs for East End residents.
Just as the neighborhood has seen decades of ups and downs, ELDI has seen many talented staff come aboard and dedicate their time and efforts to the improvement of this neighborhood, some of whom have moved on in their careers, and some who are still with us today.
It inspires me to see that the community’s vision for East Liberty is being noticed, experienced and invested in by a diverse group of residents, business owners, stakeholders and developers. Thank you for your interest in our unique, ever-changing community.
Maelene J. Myers
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