02-2007 Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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SOUTHA11 . BEND FEBRUARY 2007 12 - Mayon ST 1. LucckT r! Letter from the Mayor THISMONTH... Mayor's Letter Hometown Spot&ght Morris Spring Schedule Dear friends and neighbors, City Celebration- March 29 Downspout Disconnect As I write this letter, it seems that winter is finally upon us. The recent snow, St. Joe River Cleanup frosting streets and buildings,reminds me of what a beautiful city we live in. But my pride in our city goes much deeper than that. I find it in the hard work and • • • • • • • • • • • • • • dedication of our neighborhood organizations,business owners and City employ- ees. Our community is filled with people who strive each day to improve and develop every sector of our hometown. Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on one such neighborhood and its dedicated businesses, organizations and residents. : PERPORMING ARTS CENTER For thirty-two years, the Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. has been SPRING SCIiEDIILE dedicated to preserving and revitalizing its service area,improving the quality of life . for its residents. 2006 was a banner year for the organization, as the NNN • March impacted twenty-eight properties. Eight were sold to homeowners, with one sale . 2 Comedian Rickey Smiley pending while the other homes,building, lots, and greenspaces are in the pipeline 3 Comedian Brian Regan for future revitalization. In addition,NNN has transformed the 1000 block of . 7 Tyler Perry's"What's Done in the . PortageAvenue through the acquisition and rehabilitation often single-family Dads homes and in collaboration with the City has purchased and demolished several . 9 South Bend Symphony Pops . dilapidated and underutilized commercial buildings in the 800 block. presents"Hot Cuban Jazz" In partnership with Memorial Hospital,they developed new greenspace at the . 10 Goo Goo Dolls with Augustana . corner of Lafayette Blvd. and Lamonte Terrace. It is a great complement to the 11 MercyMe with Audio Adrenaline& Aaron Shust neighborhood and to Leeper Park. Another success is the Cottage Grove revitaliza- 17 Umphrey's McGee in Concert tion project, where the NNN has rehabilitated four properties, built one new house, 22 ND presents Bulgarian State Opera and is currently in the process of rehabilitating three additional properties. A total . "LeNozze di Figare" of six new families now own homes in Cottage Grove area because of the work of Chicago the Musical the Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. This block was host to the 2006 Arts • 31 South Bend Symphony Orchestra Cafe event. presents"Nathan's Back"featuring I am especially proud to highlight the national recognition that the NNN, in • Nathan Gunn collaboration with the City,received for the Adopt-A-Block program. This pro- gram was designed in 2003, as a part of my "Clean City Initiative",to foster a • April partnership between the City and neighborhood residents who were committed to 0 1 Harry Co man Jr. 12 Celtic Woman keeping our communities clean. Through the program,the City provides rakes, 21 South Bend Symphony Orchestra trash bags and trash removal to community teams who "adopt" blocks that they : presents`Bmhms&Hiegel—Grand pledge to keep clean. The program has been a heartwarming success and now premiere" covers 40 blocks and over 25 resident block captains. Lincolnway West forms the southern border of the NNN. This vital commer- May cial corridor has found new life through strong public-private partnerships. in 1 Comedian Ron White 2006, South Bend Heritage Foundation transformed Smitty's Garage into Studio 4-5 Joseph&the Amazing Technicolor � Dreamcoat � 815, an art exhibition and classroom space for people of all ages. A few years ago, D South Bend Symphony Orchestra the Lincolnway West Steering Committee and South Bend Heritage Foundation : presents`Tomdze Piano Festival" were instrumental in demolishing a nuisance property and attracting a new . 19 Styx in Concert Teacher's Credit Union branch. In 2006 they reached out again,helping the Fire Department develop plans for Fire Station#2, set to open this year. City and local New events are always being business leaders also worked together to beautify Lincolnway West through the . added, so be sure to check our website . placement of permanent flower planters. : at www.MorrisCenter.om for the latest Many of the changes on Lincolnway West have been made possible by the • on the Hottest Tickets in Town, or call Commercial Corridor Fagade Improvement Matching Grant Program. In Decem- . the Morris Box Office at 235-9190. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (cont'd on next page)