No. 0908 expanding the boundaries of the WWCDA, expanding the allocation area for purposes of TIF, and amending the development plan

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presentation maps used in working sessions with the study committee. They depicted graphi- cally the area's physical strengths, which include a number of rehabilitated houses and offices and its excellent street network, along with its weaknesses, which include the number of deteriorating structures, vacant structures and lots and incompatible land -uses, such as where industry abuts a block of single - family houses. (See Figure 2, Existing Land -Use). A summary of reconnaissance survey and analysis findings is as follows: 1. Residential Areas Residential areas extend from Scott and Taylor Streets on the east to Cherry and Birdsell Streets on the west and include the residential properties west of Birdsell and north of Washington Street. The area is predominantly single - family in character with two - family residential uses distributed throughout the area. Multi- family residential build- ings exist in scattered locations. The residential area includes and is well served by several churches, the Hansel Community Center, and by other public and semi - public uses. Recreational facilities within the neighborhood are limited to two small tot lots. The Natatorium located on Washington Street was once the premier recreational facility for the City, but it has been closed for several years. Recent surveys indicate that the area contains a total of 656 residential buildings. Of these, 154 are basically sound and well maintained, 276 are deteriorating and in need of minor repair, 173 are deteriorating and in need of major repair, 35 are structurally sub- standard and rehabilitation may not be economically feasible, and 20 are vacant and boarded -up. Although a limited number of scattered vacant parcels exist within the His- toric District, a large number of vacant sites ranging in size from single lots to one - quarter and one -half block areas are distributed throughout the remainder of the area. Significant public and private investment will be required to improve building and en- vironmental conditions in the area. 2. Mixed -Use Residential and Commercial Area The area located at the eastern end of the neighborhood between Scott and Williams Streets serves as a transition area between the intensely developed downtown area to the east and the predominantly low- density residential conservation area to the west. This area currently contains a wide range or residential, commercial, public and institutional uses. Growth and development of downtown related uses may lead to replacement of lower intensity uses within this area in the future. Historic District guidelines should be prepared to control the use and design of new development. 3. Commercial Areas Commercial areas on Washington Street and on Chapin Street should be strengthened as retail and service centers serving the day -to -day needs of neighborhood residents. These areas are currently characterized by wide- spread deterioration of buildings. Moreover, close to one -half of the buildings in each area are vacant. The total estimated floor area of commercial buildings (Washington Street - 107,000 square feet and Chapin Street - 58,000 square feet) far exceeds existing and future demand for such space. The Concept Plan calls for a new neighborhood commercial center to be located at the northeast corner of Washington and North Walnut Streets, restoring this corner as the commercial hub of the neighborhood. Existing buildings would be cleared from the site to ready it for redevelopment. Along both Washington and Chapin Streets, the concept plan calls for new consolidated parking areas to serve the adjacent businesses. 7