LeVelle Moton, the current basketball coach of North Carolina Central University, attributes his success to growing up in Raleigh’s Lane Street housing projects, located east of downtown.
He adores his neighborhood and plans everything he does with it in mind. He is collaborating with Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT) and Haven Design Build to construct the Cottages of Idlewild, Raleigh’s first affordable “cottage court,” at 907 E. Lane St., according to The News & Observer.
The Idlewild hamlet was founded in 1910, near Raleigh’s Capitol Square and St. Augustine’s University. The community permitted formerly enslaved people to own properties. However, the previously lively black community is seeing gentrification.
Moton’s five-year-long project, The Cottages of Idlewild, aims to preserve the historically black town. Once completed, the project would provide 18 affordable homes on 1.7 acres of city-owned land.
It will have four rental units for those making 50% to 80% of the area median income (AMI). The News & Observer reports a range of $23,800 to $81,600. There will also be 14 for-sale homes for first-time homebuyers earning 60% or less of the area median income.
According to the outlet, the developers have obtained $8.3 million in funding for the project from contributors such as the NC Realtors Housing Foundation, the Wells Fargo Foundation, and the Coastal Credit Union Foundation. With money secured, the project is projected to take 14 to 18 months to complete.
“It brings me profound relief,” said Moton, 49, who moved to Raleigh when he was eight years old and was reared alone by his single mother, Hattie McDougald. “I am an Idlewild community son. “These neighborhoods have rich histories.”
Moton feels his actions will help to curb the community’s gentrification. His desire to put an end to gentrification inspired him to start Raleigh Raised Development in 2020.
In addition to this current project, his company is responsible for the reconstruction of Heritage Park, a housing project in Raleigh’s Warehouse District. “For me, it’s really personal. I’m motivated by a strong feeling of responsibility.