Sgt. Jordan Alvarado and his family were joined by Hinesville officials and Hinesville Downtown Development Authority board members recently to break ground for their new home in the Azalea Street Project.

Alvarado’s wife, Jerrica Alvarado, said she liked the neighborhood, so she took it upon herself to knock on doors and ask residents about the area. The residents gave her the Hinesville Community Development Department’s telephone number, which she called, and she later filled out an application.

“I’m a city girl from Miami. The area has grown on us for the last three years we’ve been in Hinesville and I’m happy to make it home,” she said.

 The Alvarados are a young military couple with two boys. They said they are extremely excited to begin the construction of their first home.

“The process is very straightforward,” said Christy DeLoach, administrative assistant for the Community Development Department. “Interested individuals just call the office and fill out an application. If they meet eligibility requirements of being a first-time homebuyer, meet income limits and qualify for a home loan, they can pick out a lot and provided house plans.”

The family was eager to ceremoniously turn the first shovels of dirt to begin construction on their new home in anticipation of move-in day.

“We are happy to see military families choose Hinesville as their home,” Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas said as he welcomed the family.

Reflecting on the history of the area, Hinesville Mayor Pro Tem Charles Frasier said he was excited to see the growth of the area and shared with the audience the need to remember the spirit of community as they move into the future.

 Currently, the Azalea Street Redevelopment has six lots available in Phase II, with plans to move into Phase III in the near future. Seven move-in ready townhomes also are available for sale at the Azalea Place Townhomes on Caswell Court just off Azalea Street.

The Hinesville Downtown Development Authority received the 2010 Georgia Downtown Award in the category of economic restructuring for best problem solving for the Azalea Street Redevelopment Project.

“This is a great thing taking place here today, and we are just so happy that the city of Hinesville invested in the Azalea Street area and the Alvarados are investing in our community,” HDDA Chairman Donald Lovette said.

“I grew up in New York City surrounded by stoops and cement, so to be able to provide my family with a home and a yard is a blessing,” Alvarado said. “I would like to thank the city of Hinesville for giving me an opportunity to have a slice of the American dream.”