(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 11/17/22) – CAIR–Ohio recently joined First Global Investments (FGI) and Abubakr Asiddiq Islamic Center (AAIC) at the groundbreaking of their affordable housing development, Prairie Village Development in West Columbus.
FGI’s vision is to deliver affordable and quality cultural mixed-use communities that create value for the people of the local community in which they are located. FGI’s mission and values are to help people and businesses in the Central Ohio area and Midwest scale community development.
This community-funded development will be a 119-unit residential development. The Prairie Village Development is expected to be valued at $48.6 million at full build-out.
SEE: West Columbus to get 100-unit, $48M mixed-use development
One of the Principals of FGI, Abdoul Shmohamed, has a personal connection to the location of the development. More than 18 years ago, he was a first responder to a fire that destroyed the Lincoln Park West Apartments and claimed the lives of 10 people. The fire at the Lincoln Park West was one of the deadliest apartment fires in Franklin County’s history. The perpetrators were never caught, and the aftermath of the fire still lingers with survivors of the Latino and Somali communities.
SEE PHOTOS: Shaaciye TV
“Affordable housing brings with it safer places to live, increases the quality of life for families, and improves the overall local economy. For many this will fulfill their American dream.
“However, for millions of people who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color, the reality of the housing system is that it is built on a foundation of systemic discrimination and exclusion.
“Additionally, gentrification of Black neighborhoods, including here in Columbus, that have been historically redlined are increasingly pushing folks into dangerous, and substandard housing and increasing the unhoused population,” said CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi.
CAIR-Ohio congratulates and commends First Global Investment & Abu Bakr Asiddiq Islamic Center and the Somali Muslim community for taking the lead in this project and filling a necessary gap in Columbus for quality, affordable housing.
More information on the development is available on https://fgihomes.com/.
