In partnership with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Neighborhood Allies is working with two developers of color, two local business owners of color, and two neighborhood nonprofits to help them buy and redevelop publicly-owned vacant properties along Centre Ave. in the Hill District. The process began when Neighborhood Allies assisted eight developers, through the Equitable Empowerment Fund (EEF), prepare their response to the URA’s request for proposals. The Accelerator is now working with six who have advanced to refine project scopes and budgets, perform due diligence, and assemble capital stacks.

One project benefiting from the Accelerator program is Big Tom’s Barbershop. Thomas Boyd has rented his shop location at 2042 Centre Ave. for 14 years. He now has exclusive negotiating rights with the URA to purchase and relocate to a larger space at 2178 Centre Ave. Mr. Boyd will also own and rent two upper-floor apartment units. A $50,000 grant from Neighborhood Allies was matched by the URA, providing critically needed predevelopment capital to what will become a community anchor in the Hill for years to come.