March 1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

page 18 concentration of historic buildings. Mr. Oxian said many parts of the Near Northwest Neighborhood merited preservation. Mr. Moore asked why Lincolnway West had been omitted from the district. Mr. Fritz said Lincolnway West was left out to allow the LWW Business group, represented by Mr. Rohleder, to determine the character of the business strip independently. The owner of 602 Harrison said a historic district was no "quick fix" for problems such as declining property values and high crime rates. The neighborhood's best hope was for its residents to get to know one another and to support one another. Those who despised their neighbors too much to get to know them, perhaps, were the ones who did not belong in the neighborhood. Mrs. Sporleder agreed that a district was not a cure-all for a neighborhood's besetting ills. A district could, however, communicate a sense of pride, of identity, and of commitment. The city respected such commitment. While the district was not a "quick fix," it was a tool for establishing neighborhood goals. The owner of 602 Harrison replied that there were other ways to do the same thing. Mr. Moore, for example, planned to attend the "Mayor's Night Out" to try to get sidewalks and curbs for the neighborhood. The neighborhood needed more basic improvements before it could become a historic district. Mrs. Sporleder explained that every part of a neighborhood --streets, sidewalks, trees, streetlights --were part of a historic district. The district helped residents make clear what level of maintenance they expected from the City. The district, in other words, drew attention to the residents' clearly --stated goals. Belonging to the district also brought another benefit; the knowledge, expertise, and information resources of the HPC. Mrs. Fritz made a plea for neighborhood solidarity. A single resident attending the mayor's night out was hardly an adequate means of representing the neighborhood. Mr. Oxian, in response to a question from the floor, outlined the entire procedure being followed for the proposal. Afterthe HPC hearing_,_ thE_proposa.l_Uiould_ receive another _ hearing_from Area Plan. Next, it would go before the City Council. if it were then approved, the HPC would administer the proposal.