12-08-14 Community Investment - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT DECEMBER 8, 2014 4:05 P.M. Committee Members Present: Gavin Ferlic, Valerie Schey (AB), Henry Davis, Derek Dieter Citizen Members Present: Austin Caballo (AB), Patrick Mullin Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis, Karen White Others Present: Mike Divita, Scott Ford, Jerry Niezgodski, Sam Centellas, Joe Shabazz Agenda: Bill 14 -110 Approve and Adopt the West Side Main Streets Plan The Community Investment Committee was called to order with a quorum present to review bill 14 -110. This bill called the West Side Main Streets Plan outlined the culmination of a long process involving extensive neighborhood input meant to address the revitalization of Lincoln Way West, Western Avenue and West Side Neighborhoods. Mike Divita from the Cl Department walked the Council through the revitalization vision so often asked for by the Council. Mike used an overhead, a copy of which is attached. All told the report is 137 pages. The presentation prompted an immediate response both supportive and questioning from Councilmembers. Derek Dieter asked about the future of the City Cemetery and asked how realistic the plan was. Both Mike Divita and Scott Ford, head of Cl, said while by necessity much in the plan was conceptual the vision it embodied is practical and doable. Henry Davis questioned the acquisition of so many properties which he saw as ill- advisably taking property off the tax rolls. Scott Ford replied that the acquisition of property along with public investment on surrounding areas would in the long run restore and enhance adjacent property values. During citizen comment Jerry Niezgodski supported the plan. He said much in the plan reflects public input was flexible and long overdue. He urged the Council to honor promises made to address corridor revitalization. Sam Centellas Director of La Casa de Amistad also voiced strong support for the plan. Both Joe Shabazz and Henry Davis spoke against the plan fearing it was another effort to compromise minority neighborhoods by gentrification.