10-28-13 Common Council Agenda & Packet

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in local organization such as Martin's Supermarket and South Bend Heritage Foundation. The idea of partnership makes sense to residents, because if the neighborhood improves it is good for everyone. • Near northwest residents believe more interaction with police makes the neighborhood stronger. Residents feel the new police chief will bring experience and knowledge from other communities that will prove to be an opportunity for the neighborhood. Additionally, there is a desire for more educational opportunities, such as crime prevention techniques and information on how to set up a neighborhood watch program, as well as more frequent interaction with the police through bicycle patrols and possible police substations in existing neighborhood buildings. • Near northwest residents and stakeholders feel there is an opportunity to make a positive change in the neighborhood through the improvement of street, lighting, curbs and sidewalks, similar to what recently occurred on Diamond Avenue. Neighbors feel park benches would be welcoming in parks and at various neighborhood locations, feeling they could be made by craftsmen in the neighborhood. • To improve the neighborhood environment, neighbors believe grant opportunities should be identified and shared. Neighbors have interest in becoming aware of available resources to assist with thing such as home improvement, voucher programs for schools, public internet access for residents, and grants to continue housing redevelopment in the neighborhood. • Near northwest residents and stakeholders want to see improvements along major commercial corridors. They believe opportunities exist to redevelop the area near Lincoln Way West, Portage Avenue, the Ford Distributing Building, better utilize the South Bend Civic Theatre building and make infrastructure improvements in sidewalks and lighting that would enhance the existing business nodes. • Near northwest residents feel the area is filled with caring individuals that want to make a difference in the neighborhood. Residents feel the opportunity for community involvement is high and that organizing residents around specific neighborhood improvement goals is needed. • Near northwest residents and stakeholders want to have desirable rentals in the neighborhood. Residents see opportunities to identify market niches for prospective tenants, create incentives to live in the city and develop landlord inspection programs to assure housing is in good condition. • Near northwest residents and stakeholders believe everyone should be valued and diversity celebrated. Opportunities to integrate programs such as Bridges out of Poverty and finding ways to reach out that cross over racial and economic boundaries is desired by residents. • Near northwest residents want to support a local economy when they buy goods and services. Residents feel opportunities exist to support startup businesses and create sources that provide quality fresh local food products to the neighborhood. • To improve the opportunities for the neighborhood, residents feel a community center is needed. Residents believe when the NNN Community Space is completed, it will provide a benefit to the area. • Near northwest residents feel the realtors that work in the neighborhood should understand the benefits of the neighborhood and be in touch with the residents of the area. Residents feel there is an opportunity for realtors to reach out to minority populations. • Near northwest residents believe opportunities exist for the area because of its close proximity to the river. Some of the opportunities mentioned were a public boat launch and the extension of the River Walk to provide connectivity to the neighborhood.