b'FIRST CHURCH HILL DEVELOPMENTJefferson MewsTold by Mary ThompsonCommunity Leader and Church Hill ResidentThatstheJeffersonMewsribboncutting.ItwasBHCsJefferson Mews ribbon cutting, 1996.first major project in Church Hill. Before, there was a big,From left: Rick Gentry, RRHA; George Latimer, abandoned supermarket there, and older homes that haveNational Equity Fund; Mayor Leonidas Young; Mary Thompson; Resident, Jefferson Mews; since been renovated. T.K. Somanath, then BHCs President & CEO; BHC Co-founder Mary Tyler McClenahan; Greta I was emcee that day. It was hot, and looked like it was going toHarris, LISC; Dale Cannady, SunTrust; John rain. Everybody kept looking at the clouds. I told them, DontRichey, VHDA; Councilwoman Viola Baskerville; worry, it is not going to rain on our paradeand it didnt! Mike Etienne, City of Richmond.Mydesireforthefutureoftheneighborhood:ContinueThe last years of my life to improve. We have laid a foundation to build upon. We brought a neighborhood with about 85% blight almost backwill be the best years of to what it once was. Utilize what weve put in place and build on it. Do better. my life, because I get to To the builders of tomorrow, I say: Dont give up. Always dreamlive in a place like this.of seeing something better than it is. JEFFERSON MEWS RESIDENT8| Better Housing Coalition'