Galax Neighborhood Revitalization

Following a 2012 neighborhood study, the City of Galax identified specific community development and housing needs in the Bottom neighborhood. The solutions to these needs were then separated into multiple implementation phases. To assist with this revitalization, Summit developed a successful funding proposal for the first phase in 2012, which earned $2.6 million in Community Development Block Grants and matching funds.

Phases I & II improved the living conditions of twenty-six households by assisting with housing rehabilitation and significantly expanding the area’s stormwater management system. Additional improvements to the exterior facades and sites of ten commercial properties in the project area eliminated blighting influences in the neighborhood.

Phase III is well underway, rehabilitating or substantially reconstructing fourteen owner-occupied or investor-owned rental properties and removing blight with improvements to the buildings/sites of eleven commercial properties. This phase is continuing the substantial infrastructure improvements throughout the neighborhood.