St. Mary’s Bank announces that it has established the Rimmon Heights/West Side Initiative Resource Center in the lobby of its McGregor Street branch on the city’s west side. A partnership with the City of Manchester, The Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission and St. Mary’s Bank, the Rimmon Heights project is one of the largest neighborhood revitalization initiatives in the history of Manchester. The Resource Center will serve as a primary headquarters for members of the public wishing to learn more about this initiative.

The Resource Center includes plans showing an overview of the project, a pictorial history of the west side as well as renderings of ideas for potential construction projects. The Center is accompanied by a video display that plays a presentation made by the city at a community meeting and there are also copies of press releases and related articles from various media outlets. The Center also includes collateral sheets outlining the financing packages being made available by St. Mary’s Bank. The Center will be updated with new materials on a regular basis.

The Rimmon Heights Revitalization Plan was drafted by the City and the Planning Commission, and seeks to bring about improvements in six strategic categories: parks and green spaces, housing, business assistance, neighborhood identity and design, infrastructure, and security. The area targeted for revitalization includes approximately 60 square blocks, bordered by Putnam Street on the south and Dexter Street on the north, and between Merrimack River on the east and Piscataquog River on the west. Kelley Street is the main commercial street on the West Side and runs through the heart of this area.

“As the sole financial partner in this initiative, St. Mary’s Bank is making available $12 million in home improvement, first-time home buyer and commercial loans at below-market interest rates,” says Ron Rioux, president and CEO of St. Mary’s. “This Resource Center should help educate people about the details of the project, keep them up-to-date on the latest news and information as well as acquaint them with the loan programs offered by St. Mary’s Bank.”

Robert MacKenzie, Director Planning and Community Development notes that “The Rimmon Heights area is the first neighborhood selected as part of the City of Manchester’s goal to create healthy, vibrant neighborhoods throughout the City.” David Preece, Executive Director of the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission, calls the West Side of Manchester “Ripe for revitalization. It’s an area that has served as the economic engine of the city,” he notes, “and is the major western corridor that connects Manchester to other communities to the west.”

The Rimmon Heights/West Side Resource Center is available to the public during regular banking hours from 9:00 – 5:00 Monday – Friday and from 9:00 – 12:30 on Saturdays.