The City is now the official owner of a former church and about two acres of land at 1417 Glenwood Ave. for the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HND) to move into next year.

The arrangement, which City Council approved in February, will be the pilot location for development of other “neighborhood hubs” designed to provide programs and services directly to the community.

The land houses the former Glenwood United Methodist Church, which recently had been owned by Christ United Methodist Church. The building will be adapted by HND for office and public use space, including the outdoor area and indoor spaces.

The City acquired the property for $30,000 and a commitment to donate four available, buildable City lots to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro Inc. for affordable homeownership projects.

Local funds covered the acquisition and will be used for facility upgrades and remodeling. Renovation design services will be provided by STITCH Design Shop with an emphasis on including neighborhood input into the process.

“Christ United Methodist has a long history with Glenwood and surrounding communities and is thankful they can continue that service through the production of affordable homes as part of this transaction,” said Senior Pastor Morris Brown. Habitat will sell the homes to buyers earning less than 80 percent of area median income.

“This plan has been a long time in the making and HND staff are excited to make the move,” said HND Director Michelle Kennedy. “This first neighborhood hub will show what happens when City government works hand-in-hand on a daily basis with communities.”