HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-12 Residential Neighborhoods Committee Residential Neighborhoods Committee
2005 South Bend Common Council
The November 10, 2005 Residential Neighborhoods Committee began with its Chairperson,
Council Member Timothy Rouse boarding the Transpo trolley for a tour of South Bend's
Neighborhood Partnership Centers at 2:45 p.m. just outside the County-City Building on
Jefferson Street.
Others present included Council Members Kuspa and Kelly, Pam Meyer, Director of Planning
and Neighborhood Development; Sharon T. Kendall, Executive Director of the Department of
Community and Economic Development,Mrs. Kopola,Marco Mariani, Citizen Member Martha
Lewis, Greg Miller and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney.
River Park Neighborhood Partnership Center:
The first stop was the River Park Neighborhood Partnership Center located at 2625 Northside
Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana 46615, where Sally Overmyer, Chris Dressel and Committee
Members Nancy Collins and Betty Hawn greeted the Committee.
Council Member Rouse thanked the River Park Neighborhood Partnership Center for accepting
our request to visit and learn more about their operations.
Sally Overmyer, their Coordinator, provided handouts which included the November-December
2005 River Park Newsletter, a map of the neighborhood area in which they serve, a list of the
2005 Committee Members, and a copy of the November calendar of events which included such
activities as KARE, Crime Prevention, Code Enforcement, neighborhood meetings, visits by a
health nurse and such other activities as euchre and yahtzee(copies attached).
Chris Dressel, the Community Development Planner, who works with the Partnership Center,
reviewed the handouts. He noted that they are working on a new brochure. Two of the
Committee members are also VIP members. As a part of the "Neighbors Helping Neighbors"
program they helped a 100 year old man. The Residential Enhancement Program is for
owner-occupied homes where assistance with improvements up to 50% could be made, with this
program not being income based.
In response to a question from Council Member Kuspa, it was noted that there is a 13-member
board and that they moved from this location in October of 2002.
Council Member Rouse inquired about the location of the center, noting that it was his
understanding that the outreach was to take place over a 6-8 block area.
Mr. Dressel summarized the blocks on the map and noted that the current location for the center
had been empty since 1987.
Council Member Kelly noted that he believes that this location is much better than the previous
one on Mishawaka Avenue. He sees it as being good for the neighborhood.
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Sally Overmyer noted that over 3,000 leaf bags were distributed this year. They also are
planning a Christmas Party at Allie's Restaurant on December l lth from 3-5 p.m. and Santa is
expected.
Rum Village Neighborhood Partnership Center:
A tour of the Center then took place, with the group then boarding the Transpo trolley to travel
to the Rum Village Neighborhood Partnership Center located at 1031 West Dubail, South Bend,
Indiana 46613.
Judith Elia, the Center's Coordinator; Tonya Zuzulya, Community Development Planner; and
Committee Members Roger Baele, Patrick Shelton and Maurice Williams greeted the
Committee and provided a tour of their Center.
Judith Elia showed the Children's Library where students were studying; their Community
Garden and area for basketball.
Council Member Rouse thanked the Center for the opportunity to learn more about the Center's
activities and challenges. It was noted that their budget is $40,000 and that the neighborhood
association holds their monthly meeting at the center.
In response to a question from Council Member Kuspa, it was noted that there are always new
families moving in with children and that their center is very busy.
Pat Shelton who is also a block captain noted that there are problems of drugs and prostitution
on Indiana Avenue,Dubail and Kendall. There are challenges from absentee landlords.
Copies of the September-October 2005 Rum Village Neighborhood Newsletter and a calendar of
events was distributed. Council Member Rouse thanked everyone for their hospitality.
Westside Neighborhood Partnership Center:
The group then boarded the Transpo trolley to visit the Westside Neighborhood Partnership
Center located at 617 South Pulaski Street, South Bend,Indiana 46619.
Juanetta Hill, Coordinator and Mike Devita, Community Development Planner greeted the
Committee and provided a tour of their location. Ms. Hill noted that they have ten (10) Notre
Dame students who work with after school children, many of whom were busy working with
their students. They have approximately twenty (20) students who come for tutoring; have
binders for activities for classes K through 8th grade who work under the following schedule:
Monday: Homework and vocabulary
Tuesday: Math
Wednesday: Reading
Thursday: Review all work
Friday: Spanish
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They provide"Welcome Bags" for new residents in the area and maintain a pantry. In response
to a question from Council Member Rouse, Ms. Hill noted that some of the center's concerns
include the need to be painted; and keeping the building clean. Their goal is to get more adult
activities and they need to strengthen the residential outreach. They are also in a Weed and
Seed area.
Council Member Rouse thanked Ms. Hill for providing valuable information including copies of
the November 2005 Newsletter which included a November calendar of activities, and a
multi-page handout entitled "Common Council of St. Joseph County WSNPC Tour (copies
attached).
Near Westside Partnership Center:
The committee then traveled to the Near Westside Partnership Center located at 205 North Sadie
Street, South Bend, Indiana 46628. Cindy DeLeon, Coordinator; Elizabeth Maradik, Center
Planner; and Janice Miller, President of the Near Westside Partnership Center/Cooperative
Alliance Board greeted the group and took them on a tour of their center. They noted that they
have street outreach programs and work with the Youth Services Bureau. Each Thursday the
Lending Library comes to the Center. They also receive aid form Catholic Charities and sponsor
a Senior Prom each year. This year their Christmas Party will be held at the King Center on
December 13th from 11 am to 2 pm. They issue an annual report and have been located at this
location for the past five(5)years.
Council Member Rouse thanked them for the tour and information which included a list of their
Board members, and the October 2005 Neighborhood Newsletter(copies attached).
LaSalle Area Neighborhood Center:
The Committee then traveled to the LaSalle Area Neighborhood Center located at 1145 North
Olive Street, South Bend, Indiana 46628. Susan Adamek, Coordinator; David Feceau, City
Planner and Naomi Vandervort, Vice-President of the Board greeted the Committee. Ms.
Adamek noted that they have been at the North Olive location since June of 2001. They have
small meeting rooms for small groups. In the next seven (7) months, the Neighborhood Center
will be moving to 1146 North Huey. Ms. Adamek noted that a different population will be
assisted at that location. The Huey Street location had three (3) shootings nearby this Summer.
An anti-violence rally was held near that location thereafter. Handouts included a copy of the
October 2005 LaSalle Area Neighborhood Newsletter; a listing of the Committee members, a
listing of the Center's regular programs and a listing of the special programs and events of 2005.
It was noted that over 200 persons attended the Block Party this year which the Center hosted.
Council Member Rouse thanked Ms. Adamek for the tour and the information. The group then
traveled back to the County-City Building and were dropped off at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully su//b,, itted,
Co ci em sr 'imothy Rouse,Chairperson
Residential N-ighborhoods Committee KCF:kmf Attachments
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