CANTON — There are many fond memories for Tiana Walker at the former Northeast Community Center.
She grew up on Root Avenue NE, a few blocks west. In the year In the 1980s and 1990s, the building was a children’s community center. They used the pool, danced and played in the gymnasium.
“I made a lot of friendships here,” Walker said.
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She and a group of Crenshaw Middle School teachers returned to the building at 2600 25th Street NE on Saturday, helping the building’s new owner with trunk or medical preparations as well as an open house.
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Hassan Anderson purchased the property in 2019 and is working to renovate the center. It is now known as the Northeast Wellness and Business Center, or NWBC.
Anderson, who provides services and works with people with developmental disabilities, plans to use the center for his business. But he quickly realized the neighborhood wanted to restore the former community center.
He wants to use the center for recreational activities, business and financial education classes, and workforce development programs. There is room to provide programs and services to clients with developmental disabilities.
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Children living near the center helped Anderson realize that the building could benefit the area. As he worked to clean up the eight-acre site, he said, neighborhood children helped with the cleanup. This showed the potential of the building.
“The bottom line is that the kids need something to do in the neighborhood,” Anderson said.
Saturday’s event was the first at the center. Anderson said he came up with the idea about two weeks ago and was able to put it together with the help of staff at Crenshaw Middle and Youtz Intermediate schools.
Candy, pizza and games
It had booths and a dozen cars outside with people handing out candy to children. Inside, kids can get a slice of pizza, shoot a hoop in the gym and check out the building. Prizes were awarded to the winners of the sack race and Anderson gave away televisions with drawings.
Crenshaw teachers and counselors were among those whose car trunks were opened to hand out candy.
“We have to let them see that we’re connected to the community,” Walker said. She says it’s good for students and their parents to see school teachers in the community. It lets them know we’re accessible.
The Northeast Community Center was established in 1974 as a non-profit operation. It features an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, community rooms and gymnasium. The center was funded by Community Development Block Grant funds and closed in 2009 when funding dried up.
Since then, the building has had several owners. Attempts have been made to establish family entertainment centers and restaurants at the facility, but none have been successful.
Anderson said he invested more than $700,000 to buy and renovate the building. He hopes to work with the city on a plan to expand the facility’s reach in the area.
Canton Councilman Kevin Hall, who handed out candy during Saturday’s trunk-or-treat event, said residents believe the neighborhood would benefit from a renovated center. Anderson thanked him for the work he did to get the building into shape.
“We’re going to make sure he can continue that,” Hall said.
Contact Edd at 330-580-8484 or edd.pritchard@cantonrep.com on Twitter: @epritchardREP
