Avondale breaks ground on revitalized town center on Reading Road

Avondale is taking a multimillion-dollar step toward revitalization that will bring sorely needed stores, housing and other facilities to the neighborhood. Mayor John Cranley, Community Builders, Inc. and the Avondale Coalition of Churches' will break ground on the $43 million redevelopment of the Avondale Town Center at 1:30 p.m. Monday at 3529 Reading Road. The construction is the third phase of a $29.5 million Choice Neighborhoods grant received in December 2012 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Avondale residents have said they've wanted this type of revitalization for a while. "You won't even recognize it," said Kathy Schwab, executive director of the Local Initiatives Support Ccorporation (LISC). "Then there's multiple buildings. There are apartments in both phases over retail, over a health clinic. There will be laundry facilities for the entire community. There is a very significant space -- I don't know the amount of square footage -- but there is a significant amount of space for a grocery store." Schwab said construction should last between 12 to 18 months.