 Work is underway in Ash Crescent after the city identified this area of South Fort Worth as needing a lot of help. We will spend $2.7 million here to help clean up and revitalize the neighborhood. It all started with community meetings and a survey to let residents tell us what they needed and wanted most. Their top priorities, crime prevention and cleanup. They put the cameras up, they didn't cut down on the dumping. I like the part where they cut the trees, they didn't clean up the alleyways, they mowed all the vacant lots and cleaned up, you know, picked up around the area. Well, I've seen more police driving by and I've seen a lot of trash being picked up. Before, overgrown trees and brush made this street nearly impassable. Before and after city crews cleaned up illegal dump sites. Before and after demolishing substandard buildings to make way for new homes. Meanwhile, Neighborhood Services has helped 22 families apply for more than $250,000 in funds for repairs to their homes. Work is underway at 21 homes, including this one on Ash Crescent, where crews have replaced a dangerous gas heater, installed air conditioning and will treat lead based paint this summer. But the improvements are more than just physical. The city is helping build community too. Neighbors of all ages joined the mayor's recent walking town hall, then shared food and fun at the first ever community carnival. Children played on a pint sized obstacle course built by volunteers. Others were fitted for a new bike helmet. Or, many just chilled with free books, compliments of our partner Trinity Basin Preparatory. Free educational activities for children continued this summer, provided by area churches, service agencies and the city of Fort Worth. The city has done their part, but it's up to us to keep it up. You know, we can't expect the city to do everything. That can-do spirit has led to a creation of a new neighborhood association. They've already held their first cleanup and membership is growing. They're coming because they're interested. Once they hear about it, they see it's legit. I think it's becoming infectious, so it's growing. There's more to be done in Ash Crescent, but I'm proud to say this city, neighborhood, business community partnership is off to a strong start. To learn more about the Ash Crescent revitalization efforts, go to Fort Worth, Texas dot gov slash Ash Crescent.