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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-18 Residential Neighborhoods (3rd District Bus Tour) % x 1865 s- OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK KAREEMAH N. FOWLER, CITY CLERK RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS APRIL 21, 2018 10:00 A.M. Committee Members Present: Karen White, John Voorde, Jo M. Broden,Regina Williams-Preston Committee Members Absent: None Other Council Present: Sharon McBride Other Council Absent: Tim Scott, Oliver Davis, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. David Varner Others Present: Kareemah N. Fowler(Introductions), Joseph Molnar Presenters: None Agenda: Third District Bus Tour Committee Chairperson Karen White opened the Residential Neighborhoods Committee Bus Tour. About four (4) years ago the Residential Neighborhoods Committee began walking and taking bus tours through the six(6)districts in the City. The Council feels it is important to engage with the residents and see all the unique areas in the City. City Clerk Kareemah Fowler welcomed the approximately twenty-five (25)residents and thanked them for participating in the tour. These tours are a wonderful opportunity for our elected officials to see and understand the concerns that constituents have and act upon them. Joe Molnar, Ordinance Violations Bureau Clerk,will be staffing the bus tour and taking minutes. Clerk Fowler told the residents if they have any questions or concerns during the tour they can ask Mr. Molnar. The tour consisted of the bus traveling through the Third(3`d)District to ten(10)separate locations. Below are comments made and discussed during the tour, broken down by location. IUSB Parking Lot—River Park(915 27th Street) - Woodford Homes is starting a new location in River Park at 915 27th Street. It will be a home for young men ages fourteen (14)through twenty-one (21). There was controversy around the location but the group has pledged to work with the neighborhood if any issues arise. The location rezoning was approved by the Council. River Park(915 27th Street)—Sunnymede (I 100 Block South Street, Jefferson School) INTEGRITY1 SERVICES ACCESSIBILITY JENNIFER M.COFFMAN BLANCA L.T1RADo JosEPH R MoLNAR CHIEF DEPUTY/DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS DEPUTY/DIREG'I'OR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.92211 f 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK - Improvements could be made to the park near Nuner School. The park is technically owned by the School Corporation and would need their involvement in any upgrades. Currently the park is just a field with a track around it. Many nearby residents use the track for walking and running. - Multiple residents complained about speeding near and around Adams High School both on Mishawaka Ave. and Twyckenham Dr. Bad traffic occurs a half hour before school begins and a half hour after school ends. - There are no cross walks or turn lanes on Wall St. and Twyckhenham Dr. which is very dangerous. Parents stop on Twyckenham Dr. to let the students out and then they run across the street. Residents suggested prohibiting parking on Twyckenham Dr. during rush hours. - A large bush on Wall St. hinders traffic visibility. - There are no slow down signs or lights near Adams HS, the other three (3)high schools all have the signs. - The zoo is currently undergoing a refresh and retheme in areas. Committee Chair White stated a good solution was found on a new fire station for the area through community dialogue that will not take park land near the zoo. - Committee Chair White wanted to point out how the"basics" in the neighborhoods north of the river in the Third (3rd) District were better kept than south of the river. The curbs, sidewalks, and lighting are all better taken care of as well as the housing stock. - People use Longfellow Ave. as a shortcut to get east to west in South Bend. Residents wanted the type of speed humps installed on Sunnymede Ave. also placed on Longfellow Ave. - Councilmember Broden suggested a traffic study could take place for the entire neighborhood to view traffic patterns. - The School Corporation is in the process of renovating School Field by Jefferson School. On gamedays parking on South St. becomes a problem. Residents su gg ested a police officer help direct traffic on South St. like they do on Eddy St. during gamedays. - Residents were generally in favor of the "speed humps"installed on Sunnymede Ave. Sunnymede (I 100 Block South Street, Jefferson School)- Randolph Park(1809 Randolph Street) - On the way to Randolph Park the bus stopped at Progressive Baptist Church on Sunnyside Ave. There are issues with parking due to the church not having a parking lot. - Matt Emery (Sunnymede Neighborhood Association President) got on the bus to greet and speak to the residents. The neighborhood association was having a neighborhood cleanup with the help of residents and Adams students. Mr. Emery said the neighborhood has a good relationship with the church and the church allows the neighborhood to use their facilities and grounds for events. The only real solution to parking is mutual consideration. - River Park is having its own clean up on Saturday April 28th from 10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. - Longfellow Ave. pavement is noticeably rough and a possible candidate for mill and resurface. EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221If 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.55671www.southbendin.gov 2 CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK - As the bus crossed the river to drive on Lincoln Way East, Committee Chair White pointed out the obvious transition and differences between north and south of the river. - IUSB has purchased the Wooden Indian Motel and has plans for revitalizing their portion of the Lincoln Way East Corridor. - Residents pointed out the differences on Calvert east of Ironwood Rd. (where Calvert becomes Milburn after entering the City of Mishawaka)the road is noticeably better taken care of and the houses are in better shape. One resident noted the change in character from one (1) street in South Bend to one (1) in Mishawaka was embarrassing. - Residents spoke about market value stagnation in the Southeast Neighborhoods. One resident reported that she bought her house for $40,000 and invested$35,000 into the property. A recent appraisal for the house came in at$37,000. She stated she is stuck with a 6%mortgage and she can't sell without taking a big loss. The housing stock in the neighborhood is very similar to the types of houses in Sunnymede but they have not been taken care of for decades and the City has not invested in the neighborhood. - The neighborhood has issues with front yard parking which ruins the curbs and yards. Randolph Park(1809 Randolph Street) - Lincoln School (1425 E. Calvert Street) - The bus stopped at Randolph Park and people got out to look at the conditions. Randolph Park is a mini neighborhood park. There is no fence around the retention pond. There are no houses that face the park which makes it easy for illegal activities to occur. Many residents were disheartened by the state of the park which has no drinking fountains or lighting and needs manicured. - The bus continued to Lincoln School. Along Randolph Street there is a large amount of trash and debris. Code Enforcement needs to better enforce litter laws. - On many of the intersections the ADA ramps have not been installed correctly. The ramps do not face all four(4) corners. This new work is being done poorly. Lincoln School (1425 E. Calvert Street) -Miami Business District - At the intersection of Leer and Calvert,there is a commercial building that was an eyesore for decades. Residents were happy to report a new owner has cleaned up the property. - Parking on the tree lawns on Calvert St. has ruined the curbs and sidewalks. These are code violations that are not being enforced. - Residents stated the alleys are in poor shape and have trash everywhere in the neighborhood. - People are living in unsafe buildings such as trailers and there are many vacant homes in varying states of disrepair. The neighborhood has gone downhill in the last twenty years. - Many of the properties are bought by absentee landlords that purchase the properties on tax sale. The tax sale is online which makes it easy for out of City investors to buy property. Mr. Molnar stated a substantial portion of code violation notices go to EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 if 574.235.9173 TfD574.235.55671 www.southbendin.gov 3 ®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK owners in California, Florida and Indianapolis and other areas far from South Bend. Suggestions were made to make the tax sale an in-person process. - There is a 50150 matching grant for fagade improvements for Miami St. businesses but that is still too expensive for many business owners. Many of the businesses, primarily the small markets and gas stations, participate in illegal sales of guns, drugs and synthetic drugs. - On May 14'h there will be a press conference by the City Administration and Council. The City will list gas stations and other businesses that are accused of selling illegal drugs. It is typically the same owners that own multiple properties all over the City who are participating in this activity. - Residents reported some people live in unsafe housing conditions in the old commercial buildings on Miami St. - Javier's Bistro on Miami St. is an example of a great owner and high-quality restaurant succeeding in the Southeast neighborhood. Bendix Cafe is another example of businesses succeeding in the area when the property owners are involved. - Residents expressed pleasure that the Third (3rd) District now has a councilmember from South of the river. Miami Business District - Langlab (1302 High Street) - The bus stopped at Ravina(Honeymoon) Park. The City is making improvements to the park. Gary Gilot, President of the Board of Public Works, detailed these improvements. The City is removing brush from Bowman Creek and restoring it with bank stabilizations. The City added water fountains,repaired sidewalks and painted playground equipment. There was a good collaboration between the City and neighborhood groups to restore the park. - Residents wished to stress that the neighborhood is full of good people but bad forces and lack of resources have left them with few options. - The neighborhood has a few tree nurseries on vacant lots in the neighborhood. These trees are then used all around the City on street scape improvements. - The bus stopped at LangLab. LangLab is mixed-use building which engages artistic, musical, and other intellectual experiences. The Purple Porch originally began at LangLab and Zen Cafe is currently renting space in the venue. It is a good example of buildings being reused for different purposes. The parking lot needs resurfacing but is complicated due to legal issues with the nearby Pepsi plant. LangLab (1302 High Street) - South Bend Fire Station 1 (1222 S. Michigan Street) - The Southeast has many assets along Dean Johnson Boulevard including the YWCA, Boys and Girls Club, Ivy Tech, and the Juvenile Justice Center. - Many commercial buildings are being vacated on Michigan Street between Sample and Dean Johnson due to the problem with the homeless population in the area. The City needs to make this stretch attractive as a gateway to the Downtown from the South Side. - The bus stopped at temporary homeless shelters opposite the Central Fire Station. These shelters are part of the "housing first" initiative proposed by the City EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 I TTD 574.235.5567 I www.southbendin.gov 4 CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK Administration. Councilmember Sharon McBride stated this is a big concern for her and hopes the City looks at alternative locations. All the homeless facilities in South Bend are concentrated in the Southeast neighborhoods. She stated the residents passionately do not want this in the neighborhood which will only exacerbate the homeless problem. One (1) neighborhood cannot bear the entire regional homeless burden. The local churches already have issues with the homeless harassing and threatening their parishioners.Nearby businesses suffer from the same problem as well. It is not an issue of being a NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) but instead wanting not everything to be in my backyard. The Southeast cannot be the neighborhood that gets every service. - Everyone got out of the bus and viewed the temporary shelters. Residents shared Councilmember McBride's concerns and stated the buildings were ugly and looked unsafe. South Bend Fire Station 1 (1222 S. Michigan Street) - Riley High School (1902 S. Fellows Street) - On Fellows St. residents said the street lights do not always come on. - The sidewalks near Riley High School are in terrible shape which causes students to walk in the street on their way to and from school. - The Southeast Organized Area of Residents (SOAR)will be having a neighborhood cleanup on June 3rd 2018. - Residents pointed out the poor condition of sidewalks and curbs on Indiana St. - Residents park their cars and jack them up to fix them right on the street. Riley High School (1902 S. Fellows Street) -Mt. Carmel Church(1620 S. St. Joseph Street) - Mt. Carmel Church is renovating old homes in the neighborhood and building two (2) new homes with HUD Grants. The two (2) new homes cost$187,000 to build and they are going to try to sell them for$100,000 each. The Church also hopes to put a child development center nearby. Pastor Rickardo Taylor of Mt. Carmel stated between the eight(8) churches in the neighborhood,the residents, LangLab,the City, and other organizations the neighborhood can overcome the obstacles holding it back. - The bus stopped at Mt. Carmel for a debrief conversation. Councilmember McBride said this bus tour is grass roots democracy in action. Residents expressed encouragement that the City was finally taking interest in their area. There is a lot of work to be done but the tools are there to do it. - Committee Chair White stated this was the first(ls)bus tour of 2018 but more are being scheduled for the First(ls� and Second(2°d) Districts. - Committee Chair White closed the meeting at 1:00 p.m. and the bus drove back to IUSB to drop off the residents. EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 f574.235.9173ITTD574.235.5567 iwww.southbendin.gov 5 ®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK Respectfully Submitted, Q Karen White, Chairperson EXCELLENCE ( ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.92211 f574.235.9173 TTD574.235.55671www.southbendin.gov 6