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Once-neglected White City continues its progress

A little more than two years ago we wrote this about White City:

"White City, home to 6,000 people, has been known for its lack of policing and high crime rate, dearth of community services, deteriorated streets, and low-cost housing, some of it dilapidated and in need of repair. Social Service needs there are higher than in many other areas of the county."

That editorial noted the astonishing amount of business growth along White City's "main street" -- Highway 62. And we remarked on the impressive improvements in White City, where an urban renewal district was plowing back a portion of new industry taxes

into community improvements; where volunteers had built its first park; and where other efforts such as pavement and curbs and gutters were turning that neglected, unincorporated area into a more attractive and visible community.

Those efforts continue. Now, a subdivision that will offer new, affordable homes in the White City residential area is under way.

White City has long been considered a place of rundown homesites and subdivisions. The Clear Sky Estates project no doubt will raise standards in the unincorporated area. It will be White City's first subdivision in 24 years that is not for trailers or manufactured homes.

FIFTY-EIGHT UNITS, 1,100 to 1,500 square feet each, will eventually grace the project at Falcon and 25th streets. The prices will be in the $90,000 to $120,000 range. Dave Freel, of Eagle Point, is the developer; the builders are Tom and Tommy Malot of Central Point.

Fortunately for White City, the three entrepreneurs are committed to offering lower-cost housing to first-time buyers and to bringing a strong sense of community to the area.

They also would like to attract more quality housing to the White City mishmash of domiciles.

Tommy Malot, vice president of the family business, says the project was a good opportunity to offer quality housing close to the growing job base in the northern part of the county.

THESE GUYS DESERVE A thank you from all area residents. This attitude is what's needed to continue improvements to the old Camp White property, perhaps converting it some day to what it could have been long ago: a jewel surrounded by the Table Rocks, lovely foothills and, most notably, Mount McLoughlin to the east.