PHOENIX INITIATIVE

The Phoenix is indeed rising from its ashes and soaring proudly over the Fondren district, looking specifically at the promising future for residents living west of North State Street.  The Phoenix Initiative is a partnership between St. Dominic Health Services, Fondren Renaissance Foundation and our neighborhood.  St. Dominic’s has dedicated $250,000 over five years to support the Foundation’s Phoenix Initiative.

This project offers façade grants of up to $5,000 to homeowners living in the west-end of Fondren who match 25% of the project cost.  Drive through our district and look for the Phoenix Initiative sign in a yard indicating renovation, renewal, and rewards for all involved.  Work has been completed on more than 40 homes on Downing, Dunbar, Decelle, Northview, Hartfield and the Initiative will continue through 2010.

To view pictures of some of the participating homes in the Phoenix Initiative, click here.

For more information about St. Dominic's, click here.

Download Application

1.  Purpose:
The purpose of this home improvement grant program is to encourage and assist with the  exterior renovation and revitalization of existing single-family, owner occupied structures in certain designated areas west of North State Street.

The goal of the program is to create a healthier neighborhood, paying particular attention to those aspects that enhance safety, appearance and contribute to a greater sense of community to the neighborhood.

2.  Eligibility:

A.  Eligible applicants include only those homeowners who reside in and file for homestead exemption on the applicant property in the designated areas.

B.  Grants are available for exterior home improvements only.

C.  Applicable improvements may include:

1.  Painting
2.  Window and door repairs
3.  Exterior lighting
4.  Landscaping
5.  Roofing Repairs
6.  Awnings and canopies
7.  Any other exterior improvement not listed, but deemed appropriate and eligible by the Phoenix Initiative’s committee.

D.  Grant recipients must comply with all applicable city, state and federal regulations relating to residential construction.

The Phoenix Initiative home improvements grants are matching grants.  The Fondren Renaissance Foundation will grant up to $5,000.00.  The homeowner will provide up to $1,250.00 or a 25% match of the grant.  The maximum total cost of any project of The Phoenix Initiative grant program is not to exceed $6,250.00.  If homeowners elect to have additional work done, it will be entirely at their own expense, and that work will be negotiated with the contractor(s) by the homeowner directly.

The following are just a few of the homes that have benefitted from this program.

Decelle

Decelle

Decelle

Decelle

Decelle

Northview

Northview

Dunbar

Dunbar

Decelle

Decelle

Decelle

St. Dominic Health Services, Inc. & FRF

St. Dominic Health Services, Inc., a longtime supporter of Fondren Renaissance Foundation, is the parent organization operating St. Dominic Hospital and is sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois.  It also consists of St. Catherine’s Village, Madison Health Services, and Community Health Services.  Outreach services include HealthLine Wellness Center in Dominican Plaza on Lakeland Drive, New Directions Over 55, St. Dominic Community Health Clinic and Care-A-Van.  For more information about any of these programs, visit stdom.com or call 601.200.2000.