Amos Washington Subdivision Nears Completion In Ypsilanti

Amos Washington Subdivision Nears Completion In Ypsilanti

First Families To Move In Soon

YPSILANTI - Private industry, teamed with local government, has established in this city an all-Negro subdivision unique to Washtenaw county.

The project, known as Amos Washington subdivision, is a major swath cut into the heart of a run-down south side area. It consists of 22 middle income dwellings on a new street called Burton Ct., extending north from Harriet St. and south of Ainsworth Blvd. 

Speed and co-operation are key words in the creation of Amos Washington subdivision. Last April 14, a small group of officials from the federal, and city government, and from the Board of Commerce carried out brief ground-breaking ceremonies in the now-developed field. Today, all 22 units are completed, except for minor interior finishing jobs. The first families are expected to move in two or three weeks from now.

Fostered Plan

City Manager N.G. Damoose said the idea for the project was conceived in his office a little less than a year ago. he put the wheels into motion.

Damoose said the vacant land, idle for years, was purchased by the Prospect Construction CO. of Detroit, developers of the project. The area was platted into 26 lots, later revised to 22 by the City Planning Commission. The City Council gave the go-ahead and work started.

The homes contain three bedrooms, living rooms, bath and kitchen with adjoining utility room. Two of them have basements, while the others are build on concrete slabs. Dwight E. Hand, sales agent, said the units range in price from $10,850 to $11,150, except those with basements, which are about $11,650. 

Hand said all homes have been applied for and that applications are being carefully studied.

For Middle Income

It was hoped that those buying homes here would be middle income families now living in Park Ridge center, directed by Amos Washington after whom the project is named. Middle income families must leave Park Ridge after Oct. 1, according to Washington, who said that it has been designated a low income project by the law. Hand reported, however, that only about 30 to 35 per cent of the subdivision buyers are from Park Ridge. 

Each home on Burton Ct., named after Ald. John Burton, has a $9,400 Federal Housing Administration commitment, and the down payment is the difference between the price and the commitment closing costs. The subdivision includes sewers, water, sidewalks, curbs and apron. 

The 22-home Amos Washington subdivision on Burton Ct., Ypsilanti, (upper left) is seen in its final stages of construction. Interior pictures of a typical home show two of three bedrooms (upper right) and the good sized living room with picture window (middle left). A spacious kitchen (below) contains ample work area and room for a small table. A storage room off the kitchen includes heating and hot water facilities.