20 Mar 2017
The crumbling walls of the Royale Inn took a big hit Monday when the City launched a demolition welcomed by 3rd District residents and business owners eager to say good-bye to the long-time eyesore.
The razing began shortly after 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Independence Avenue and The Paseo, where the motel has been since 1965. The vacant structure had devolved into an unwanted landmark more associated with illegal activity than reasonably-priced lodging. “Today, as we begin the process to knock down this building – we will ultimately begin the process to knock down barriers that held this community back from real revitalization and transformation” states City Councilman Jermaine Reed, 3rd District.
Demolition clears the way for the continuing development of the $12 million Paseo Gateway Project, which will better connect downtown and neighborhoods on the City’s east side.
The City’s effort to spur redevelopment in this area is part of the Choice Neighborhoods Grant program, for which the City was awarded $30 million in HUD grant funds in 2015. Paseo Gateway is comprised of the Pendleton Heights, Independence Plaza, and Paseo West neighborhoods.
The project’s goal is to transform housing and community services for residents in the Historic Northeast area, while supporting economic development and a higher quality of life. This demolition is a strategic investment by the City to eliminate blight and leverage federal funding.
“We are well on the way to creating CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES – places where people want to live, work and play” states Councilman Reed.
Key components of the project include:
- Realigning the intersection of Independence Avenue and the Paseo (the City has contributed $5 million toward this.)
- Renovation of Pendleton Flats, a 30 unit, mixed-income apartment complex
- Improving Kessler Park with more bike trails and better connections to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods
- Strengthening businesses along the Independence Avenue corridor, perhaps with a business incubator, a shared commercial kitchen and an ambassador program
