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TH,�� SO U B E N D j ter. SEPTEMBER 2010 Letter from the Mayor Reducing vacant and abandoned houses Dear Friends and Neighbors, Like other communities around the country, we have hundreds of vacant and abandoned homes. These structures are dangerously deteriorated — they are not candidates for rehab. In fact, they are a blight on our neighborhoods and a potential source of crime. In my 2007 State of the City address, I announced a plan to achieve a 10 percent reduction in vacant housing in three years. Using federal funds, we would demolish 400 substandard houses citywide. At the same time, the South Bend Common Council proposed a vacant house registration ordinance. The ordinance requires registration of any home that is vacant for more than 90 days and in violation of existing code regulations (if there are not ongoing efforts to market, sell or renovate the property). Soon after, the economy plunged into its worst financial crisis in a generation, heavily influenced by trouble in the housing market. Our nation's homeownership rate has fallen to its lowest level since 1999, according to the Census Bureau. Despite these challenges, I'm happy to report progress on our goals Through the end of 2010, we will have demolished more than 500 vacant and abandoned homes — 25 percent more than we originally projected. We eliminated the worst of the worst. While lots still remain in the hands of neglectful owners, at least these structures no longer negatively impact our neighborhoods. The Council also enacted a vacant house registration ordinance. Even as our demolition efforts proceeded, our Code Enforcement staff registered 166 newly vacant or abandoned houses in 2010. This signals that our work on this front will continue in 2011. Demolition of vacant houses will continue unabated. In addition, our Code crews will update a citywide count of vacant and abandoned houses. We also will take a fresh look at strategies to reduce the impact of this national crisis on our neighborhoods. We believe that improvements on the street will help lead to a turnaround in private investment in our neighborhoods. Sincerely, Visit Our Website at Mayor Steve ` ww.SouthSendIN.gov! This Month Mayor's Letter Events Calendar Fall Fun in the Parks Kid's Fest South Bend Home Improvement Program Lunch and Learn Series Composting Workshop and Pre -Sale Events Calendar Morris Performing Arts Center Oct. 2- South Bend Symphony Orchestra "With One Voice" with Jorge Muniz Oct. 3- Straight No Chaser Oct. 3- Justin Williams With the Rebecca Wilson Trio(a, Palais Royale Oct. 17 -South Bend Symphony Chamber Orchestra Oct. 23- South Bend Symphony Pops with James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band Oct. 21 - "Me & Mrs. Jones" Stage Play Oct. 30- Mike Epps and Friends Center for History Oct. 8 and 15- The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (Liberty Film Series) Oct. 22 and 29- Unchained Memories (Liberty Film Series) Oct. 8 -15- Mystery at the Mansion: The Muessel Brewery Murders South Bend Farmer's Market Sept. 18- Fall Festival South Bend Museum of Art Oct. 1- Exhibition Reception for Surface Tension: Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Painting Oct. 13- Off the Wall, Making a SPLASH... Having a BASH South Bend Civic Theater Oct. 8 -17- Born Yesterday Oct. 29 -Nov 7- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Studebaker Museum Oct. 1- Studebaker National Museum Car Raffle Football Friday's Block Party Every Friday night, 5 -9 PM before every Notre Dame Home football game. 100 N. Michigan St. near the College Football Hall of Fame. Admission is just $3. Kids, 12 and under are free. Century Center Oct. 3 Century Bride Event Oct. 5 College & Career Fair, October 5, 5:30 pm Oct. 5 Bo Bice, American Idol Finalist In Concert, 7:00pm