Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
CAN ‘GENTRIFYING’ CITIES CREATE NEW BRIDGES TO WEALTH
In Can Gentrifying Cities Create New Bridges to Wealth? Neal Peirce highlights the promise the Harambee neighborhood holds for low income residents, if they are able to buy their own homes.
Habitat for Humanity, ACTS CDC, Select Milwaukee and and Housing Resources Inc. are here to help low-income people buy in the neighborhood ahead of the boom that is spreading northward from downtown and westward from the lake. On Saturday, they're jointly putting on aworkshop for potential homebuyers. Invite people you know to learn how to get in on the American Dream."[F]or Americans, homeownership is the bedrock of the savings and wealth creation that lets families pass on assets, and a headstart on life, generation to generation."
Homebuyer Workshop
Saturday, March 31st
9:30-12:30
HOPE High School
3215 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Summary of Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Work Committee Meeting
On March 17th the Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Work Committee met for the first time. Below is a general summary of what was discussed in the meeting:
Vision
* Public Greenspace
* Viable businesses that "buy in" to the neighborhood
* Identify and involve the "creative class"
* Housing Emphasis
* Facade improvements along King Drive to Capital
* Uniquely identify the neighborhood(s) in the HNNP area (i.e. with signage)
* Identify large land sectors in the area for development
* Attract investors that are vested in the neighborhood and eliminate speculative investment that is detrimental to the community.
* Get tenants interested in the neighborhood.
* Manage vacant buildings in ways that are beneficial to the community and its residents - there is much competition from outside interests
* Market the neighborhood to African Americans and other parties that have real interest in helath of the area.
Questions/Opportunities
* Collaborative approaches among faith-based organizations
* Introduction and development of youth-oriented businesses
* Holton Street - What should be the focus?
* Juneteenth Day Festival - How to improve it to best benefit the neighborhood (compare to Garfield St. Blues Festival)
* What is the demand for businesses based on market forces and community benefit?
* How can we develop a "feel" for each neighborhood within the HNNP planning area?
* What is the overall city involvement/commitment to neighborhood development? What can they commit to doing to improve the look of the neighborhood?
* Opportunities to create an artistic and cultural presence in the neighborhood.
Action For Next Meeting (April 21)
* Need a list of vacant buildings and assessments in the planning area - along King Drive initially and then later at other corridors in the area.
* Explore past planning efforts for streetscaping and signage along King Drive.
* Investigate the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan for the HNNP area.
* Invite a commercial broker to one of the next meetings.
* Invite J. Allen Stokes, Welford Sanders, and T. Whaley-Smith to the next meeting.
* Denise Crumble to bring documentation on Brownfields.
Next Meeting - April 21 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - place to be determined.
Summary of Recreation and Youth Services Work Committee Meeting
On Wed, March 14th the Recreation and Youth Services work committee met for the first time at Solomon Community Temple. The following is a basic summary of the meeting:
General Discussion
* Discussed the need for more recreational areas in the Harambee Neighborhood, positive places where kids can go. Now, the streets substitute for the lack of these areas.
* There needs to be structured options in recreation and youth services for youth of all ages, especially after school and in the summer. There needs to be more variety in programs as well, as it seems like the majority of the programs for youth are in basketball.
* We need more input from youth themselves about the issues that impact them in the neighborhood.
* Group wants more information on the programs offered by YMCA Holton Street and Heartlove Place. They also discussed taking advantage of/enhancing the Mayor’s Youth Summer Employment Initiative.
* Malcolm X Academy as an example of the poor recreational areas in the neighborhood with no grass, broken-up asphalt, and no playground.
Vision for Improvement
* To have a “place” for youth activities (possibly use current vacant buildings/lots). Could create resource facilities for youth through the use of creative funding/financing.
* Focus on youth of all ages (elementary, middle school, and high school)
* Have programs that focus on health-related issues – especially on prevention (i.e., teen pregnancy, alcohol and drug prevention, etc.)
* Revitalization of Rose Park – better utilization of space and existing senior citizens center.
Action Steps – work to be done for next meeting on April 18th
* Explore what neighborhood churches are doing in youth services and recreation – how could they work together jointly?
* Investigate recreational opportunities and services provided by MPS and Milwaukee County.
* Figure out what programs and services are offered at Heartlove Place
* Put together some basic demographic data for youth.
* Investigate grant sources for youth activities.
* Look to find the amount of acreage dedicated for recreation in the planning area and compare that to other areas.
* Find out if businesses in the area are involved in recreational activities in the Harambee Neighborhood.
* Get ideas and thoughts from youth to include their viewpoints in the plan.
* Make a list of all the people who signed up for the recreation and youth services work committee.
Next MeetingWednesday, April 18th at Solomon Community Temple – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
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