Argyle Park Civic Association

History of the Argyle Park Civic Association

Reunited for a Cause

The Argyle Park Civic Association was organized long ago, as a small organization representing about 136 homes in the Argyle Park Subdivision. Then in 1998, a devastating possibility threatened Argyle Park and four other surrounding subdivisions in the North Central Area of Columbus. Thus the subdivisions of Duxberry Park, Norlea Park, Cacita Park, and Cappocio joined the Argyle Park Civic Association to challenge the City of Columbus against the Fleet Management Facility’s plan, called “Project 25”, to consolidate their maintenance facilities into one in the middle of this residential community. Now the area bordered by Hudson and Mock Road on the North, 17th Avenue on the South, Woodland Avenue on the West, and Conrail Railroad on the West is all called “Argyle Park”, and represent nearly 700 households. Under the leadership of their new President, Gloria Ann Zebbs Anderson, the fight to save the neighborhood began.

Unknown to most of the residents in Argyle Park, the North Central Area Commission had approved the City’s plan to build the Fleet Management Facility in this community. Without the support of the North Central Area Commission, the newly organized Argyle Park Civic Association took on the battle alone. Only one other district of the North Central Area Commission showed their full support of the battle to maintain residential integrity of the neighborhood. That was the neighboring community to the south – Amer Crest (formerly known as The American Addition).

But You CAN Fight City Hall
After picketing and protests, two professional mediations, and multiple meetings held by the city and the community, City Council took another look at the situation and realized that the Fleet Management Facility did not belong in this neighborhood.

New homes for homeownership

St. Stephens Community Homes purchased 19 dilapidated houses from Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority on 26th Avenue to revitalize for home ownership, plus three vacant lots. Reconstruction and development have already begun. MiraCit Development Corporation is on the verge of acquiring the 11 acres that the city was planning for “Project 25”. Instead, nearly 30 new homes are planned for that site, with a new subdivision called “Woodland Estates.” Dayspring Christian Community Development Corporation received a gift of 11 lots in Argyle Park for future construction of new homes.

Homeownership and beautification is the key goal of the Argyle Park Civic Association under the leadership of residents who give of their talent, share their resources, and pay their dues.

A New Playground and Community Gardens Replace Blight and Weeds

A New Playground
Additionally, the city realized that after over 20 years of neglect, it was time to begin an effort of revitalization in Argyle Park. So in July of 1999, City Council appropriated over $133,000 to build a new playground at the Duxberry Park Alternative Elementary School. This new playground was dedicated on October 17th, 2000 at a magnificent ceremony attended by Mayor Michael Coleman, Columbus School Superintendent Rosa Smith, members of City Council and other school and city officials. Neighborhood leaders from Argyle Park Civic Association, PTO members, teachers and experts from Columbus Recreation and Parks Department united in a joint effort to design the grandest playground ever. It was built for use by the neighborhood and school children, teenagers and adults of all ages.

Community Gardens Replace Blight and Weeds:
In April of 2000, the Association decided that the best way to tackle weed abatement and blight, was to create community gardens. They acquired permission from landowners, and to their amazement, Argyle Park had 17 adjacent lots on Joyce Avenue to develop into a massive Community Garden called “Project Beauty”.

Neighbors to the south, Amer Crest (formerly known as American Addition), also had the idea and before we knew it, both communities had a massive project to beautify Joyce Avenue with gardens. With the help of The United Way Neighborhood Partnership Center, Argyle Park Civic Association’s “Project Beauty” and the Amer Crest gardens are changing the face of a once blighted community. Many businesses, neighbors, the schools and government employees are now joining in the excitement of beautifying Joyce Avenue. Mr. Foster Jennings, an 80-year old neighbor, built two of the three beautiful arbors on Joyce Avenue. Children and residents share in planting the gardens with flowers and vegetables. Also, Duxberry School has frequent “outdoor classroom” activities and plantings in the garden on Joyce between Duxberry and Maynard Avenues. Expect to see more as the Arts Impact School contributes their talent.

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