Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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columbusmike said:
I'm glad to see they are crafting a plan for the city; however, I'm shocked that this process seems to lack transparency. Most master planning exercises are all about involving community.
Can you elaborate? Sounds like there is been a lot of community outreach on this process. As a resident, I've been invited to quite a few meetings myself, but have not been able to make them due to scheduling conflicts.
4gottenhistory
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To Walker:
Serious question... is the decades-long decline of the Near East Side that much different than the decline of other urban neighborhoods in Columbus, or other urban neighborhoods around the country?
Answer: Can we stand together and stop that MONSTER from DEVOURING communities and regorgitate new ones at will? That monster is not GOD, but it sure thinks it is a god! Hint- If it is not Broke, then don't Fix it! At one time, urban neighborhoods were not broken, but they were later broken the DYNAMIC DUO (Corporate America & Uncle Sam! Since it has been SYSTEMATICALLY broken, there's a RUSH to cover up, blame the citizens, and rebuild (SLEIGHT OF HAND)! FOUL on this country for doing its citizens like that!!! NOW, I ask you this question. Does it take for you to be that carcass that was devoured by that MONSTER for you to change you tune?
And beyond recognizing the problems caused a half-century ago, what significance does that play in the future plans for revitalization of this area?
ANSWER: YOU JUST CAN'T OVER-LOOK THAT FACT THAT THOSE WHO REVITALIZE (bring back to life) first had to bring death to a community by looting, pilaging and stealing the life essence (jobs) from it. Do you not think it will happen again?
SERIOUSLY!!!
columbusmike
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Walker said:
Can you elaborate? Sounds like there is been a lot of community outreach on this process. As a resident, I've been invited to quite a few meetings myself, but have not been able to make them due to scheduling conflicts.
Hmm, after reading the dispatch article I got the impression these were mostly closed door planning meetings. I think it's just the way the article was written. Glad to see that's not the reality.
columbusmike
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4gottenhistory said:
ANSWER: YOU JUST CAN'T OVER-LOOK THAT FACT THAT THOSE WHO REVITALIZE (bring back to life) first had to bring death to a community by looting, pilaging and stealing the life essence (jobs) from it. Do you not think it will happen again?
SERIOUSLY!!!
I really don't understand your logic. I really don't think corporations or individuals set out to destroy the inner city. In the early parts of the 1900s, the cities were dirty places due to the ramping up of an industrial country such as the US. Especially after WWII, Americas felt that they destroyed the enemy abroad, and now strived to defeat the ills of city living (bad infrastructure, dirt, unsanitary conditions). The car allowed people to get out of the city, government-backed loans provided a cheap way to buy a house, and corporations just followed the money. All of this happened over time. Now that such misery exists in our inner city communities, people want to rejuvenate these lost gems. I guess I don't agree that the plan for the near east side was/is evil...in fact, I think people living here are truly hopeful they can repair the damage that took place to make a better home for a variety of people, businesses, and amenities.
Snarf
Dystopia
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4gottenhistory said:
To Walker:
Serious question... is the decades-long decline of the Near East Side that much different than the decline of other urban neighborhoods in Columbus, or other urban neighborhoods around the country?Answer: Can we stand together and stop that MONSTER from DEVOURING communities and regorgitate new ones at will? That monster is not GOD, but it sure thinks it is a god! Hint- If it is not Broke, then don't Fix it! At one time, urban neighborhoods were not broken, but they were later broken the DYNAMIC DUO (Corporate America & Uncle Sam! Since it has been SYSTEMATICALLY broken, there's a RUSH to cover up, blame the citizens, and rebuild (SLEIGHT OF HAND)! FOUL on this country for doing its citizens like that!!! NOW, I ask you this question. Does it take for you to be that carcass that was devoured by that MONSTER for you to change you tune?
And beyond recognizing the problems caused a half-century ago, what significance does that play in the future plans for revitalization of this area?
ANSWER: YOU JUST CAN'T OVER-LOOK THAT FACT THAT THOSE WHO REVITALIZE (bring back to life) first had to bring death to a community by looting, pilaging and stealing the life essence (jobs) from it. Do you not think it will happen again?
SERIOUSLY!!!
WOW. Are you saying that these poor blighted communities should stay blighted and poor out of spite or something? Or that we should pay homage to the people who maintained in these blighted areas by keeping them shitty? Or that we can revamp the area as long as we have like bronze statues of a poor family to honor it? I have no idea what you're saying and the random ALL CAPS make it even harder.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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columbusmike said:
Hmm, after reading the dispatch article I got the impression these were mostly closed door planning meetings. I think it's just the way the article was written. Glad to see that's not the reality.
Looks like a pretty robust group of people involved:
http://eastpact.org/who-is-pact/list-of-pact-volunteers/
And a contact page for anyone else who wants to get involved:
http://eastpact.org/who-is-pact/list-of-pact-volunteers/
My hunch is that with any group on any topic in any city, there's always going to be a certain percentage of people who feel that they're not being heard.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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4gottenhistory said:
Answer: Can we stand together and stop that MONSTER from DEVOURING communities and regorgitate new ones at will? That monster is not GOD, but it sure thinks it is a god! Hint- If it is not Broke, then don't Fix it! At one time, urban neighborhoods were not broken, but they were later broken the DYNAMIC DUO (Corporate America & Uncle Sam! Since it has been SYSTEMATICALLY broken, there's a RUSH to cover up, blame the citizens, and rebuild (SLEIGHT OF HAND)! FOUL on this country for doing its citizens like that!!! NOW, I ask you this question. Does it take for you to be that carcass that was devoured by that MONSTER for you to change you tune?
You didn't answer my question at all. And I'm not sure what your question to me even means.
4gottenhistory said:
ANSWER: YOU JUST CAN'T OVER-LOOK THAT FACT THAT THOSE WHO REVITALIZE (bring back to life) first had to bring death to a community by looting, pilaging and stealing the life essence (jobs) from it. Do you not think it will happen again? SERIOUSLY!!!
I don't think it's accurate to say that the people involved in this current initiative are the same people involved in the looting, pillaging and stealing that you describe taking place 50 years ago.
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Near East Side starts renewal with $10 million from OSU
By Meredith Heagney
The Columbus Dispatch
Monday January 9, 2012 7:55 AM
East High School hosted a pep rally yesterday, but instead of boosting an athletic team, the good wishes for things to come were for the neighborhood. The event launched a revitalization effort on the Near East Side that is funded by a $10 million investment from Ohio State University, which hopes to fix up the depressed area surrounding University Hospital East.
READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/09/near-east-sidestarts-renewal.html
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Press Release:
Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson Celebrates HUD Grant Announcement
(Columbus)-- Columbus City Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, a member of the Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT) Advisory Committee, joined Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Sandra Henriquez, the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), and PACT’s community partners to announce HUD’s investment of a $300,000 Choice Neighborhood Initiative Planning Grant for the Poindexter Village community and surrounding neighborhood.
“This is a great day for Columbus, and especially the residents of the Near East Side,” said Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Finance Committee. “The Choice Neighborhood Initiative Planning Grant is another milestone in the revitalization of this community.”
The Planning grant will fund a redevelopment plan for Poindexter Village and the surrounding neighborhood. Additionally, with its receipt of the Planning grant, CMHA will be eligible to compete for a Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant that could be worth between $10-$20 million.
PACT is a partnership between the City of Columbus, The Ohio State University, CMHA, and Near East Side residents and stakeholders. Its vision is to create a healthy, financially and environmentally sustainable community where residents have access to safe and affordable housing, quality healthcare and education, and employment opportunities.
“Columbus City Council is proud to be a partner in an initiative that will do so much to improve the quality of life in our community,” said Tyson.
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Ohio State works to rehab Near East with PACT
By Brin Kerkhoff
Published: Sunday, February 26, 2012
A project that joins OSU, the City of Columbus and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority is focused on transforming the Near East Side of Columbus. A $10 million donation from Ohio State fueled a project to transform the Near East Side of Columbus, and students play a part in the process.
Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT) is a partnership between the city of Columbus, the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), Near East Side stakeholders and OSU.
rory
Weinland Park
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News said:
Ohio State works to rehab Near East with PACT
By Brin Kerkhoff
Published: Sunday, February 26, 2012A project that joins OSU, the City of Columbus and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority is focused on transforming the Near East Side of Columbus. A $10 million donation from Ohio State fueled a project to transform the Near East Side of Columbus, and students play a part in the process.
Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT) is a partnership between the city of Columbus, the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), Near East Side stakeholders and OSU.
From the aforementioned article:
"The IPSC student interns are at the forefront of developing the meaningful and non-poverty tourism connections (there)," Cunningham said.
Now granted the IPSC and the Lantern are a perfect storm for utter bafflement but what the hell is a "non-poverty tourism connection"? And is there some poverty tourism I'm missing out on?
TomOver
lovecause.org
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Notes of town hall meeting with Near East Side residents and PACT officials-part 1
Fred Ransier, PACT Advisory Chair, said he wants to hear from a variety of stakeholders. Black folk comprised most of the adivsory committee. There were about 350 people at the meeting which took place at Trinity Baptist Church. PACT is an acronym for Partners Achieving Community Transformation.
"The more input we get, the better the outcomes," said Ransier.
Dawn Tyler Lee, PACT Executive Director, told those at the meeting that there is not a plan yet.
"What we're doing at this town hall event is talk about the process that the plan will entail...We will clear up some misinformation."
She said the Martin Luther King Jr. Libary has a PACT information center and that other such centers on coming.
"$10 million sounds like a lot of money but as you know there are needs in the community requiring more than $10 million," Lee said. She said because of that, the more input from the community that PACT gets, the better.
"The Taylor Avenue corridor the site where Poindexter Village is currently located is our initial focus area," Lee said.
"It absolutely matters that the public give their input," Lee said. "We're inviting people to be a part of this process. Thru stakeholder engagement, we can collectively build the blueprint. We're committed to transparency thru all parts of the process. Anyone who wants to participate can do so," Lee said.
Adding to information that is in the 7-page town hall brochure for the PACT town hall meeting, Lee said,
"I see housing options for a variety of income levels. I see our neighbors leading healthy lives with access to fresh fruits and vegetables, where residents have access to good public transportation."
David Dixon an official with PACT said to the gathering of about 350: " We're working for PACT, but we're really working for all of you. We have to let you know what we have done with what we've heard from you. An important questions is, how do we empower communities so that they can be the authors of their
own own change? "
Dixon said it's important to look at the retail and small business market that people in the area can help develop.
"What are the opportunities we have around housing? We're going to make studies about that available to the community," Dixon said.
"Engagement is not something be do separate from the thinking and planning," Dixon said.
Another PACT official, Paul Sherwood, said he expects the Wexner Medical Center Expansion Project to employ 500-600 people in jobs related to construction and renovation.
"We'll see what we can do to get a lot of those jobs to people here in this community," Sherwood said.
James Ervin of the CMHA Board of Commissioners said PACT doesn't have a plan to show Near East Side residents, but said that whatever does emerge will preserve the history and heritage of the area. Doing that involves a lot of input from the community, said Ervin.
"We hope you make your voices known. If you think we haven't answered your questions, or if you think you haven't been heard, contact us. Families are what we care about, not the bricks and mortar," Ervin said.
Ervin said the demolition of Poindexter Village is in the best interest of families, in that it would have been too expensive to make the buildings safe and healthy by renovating them. Ervin said CMHA has helped 188 families relocate to every zip code in Franklin County.
(Side note: Most of the statements that got the most applause from those in the audience were the ones that expressed distrust and skepticism about PACT.)
Bryan Brown, Senior VP for Business Development at CMHA, said 25 percent of the families that have moved out of Poindexter Village have stayed in the Near East Side as a result of collaboration among organizations in the community. He said CMHA conducted interviews within households to assess their needs and link them to services.
"We provided transportation to those without it. We've had 3 housing fairs where landlords come to Poindexter Village to provide information...We urge anyone to contact the relocation office if you have property you'd like to rent to Poindexter residents," Brown said. He said the relocation should be complete within the next six months.
Reggie Johnson of CMHA said buildings currently vacant are zoned off to prevent people from looting materials from them.
An elderly man name William Potter asked the speakers why Black homeowners in the community should have any faith in partnership with OSU when the university hasn't made progress in the enrollment of Black students.
An official with OSU who was present said the university leads the Big Ten in enrollment of Black students. He said OSU's numbers on that front look better when we include the regional campuses.
When Potter expressed his distrust of OSU officials a second time in the form of a statement instead of a question, he drew applause, and a low rumble of murmurs.
Audience member Anthony T. Hodge used the town hall Q & A to call for the return of public access TV.
Audience member Lidia Wiggins, a resident of Poindexter Village said she supports PACT in the Near East Side.
As she spoke, she appeared to be looking toward the front row where where people working with PACT were seated, most of whom, like herself and other members of the audience, were African-American. "Come to Poindexter to work with us. Don't just come to these meetings and then drive home in your Lexus. I work in the relocation office. I want to let you know that the Near East Side is not all bad."
After Wiggins spoke, a young African-American woman pressed officials with PACT for more information about a plan for the Near East Side. She spoke briefly with irritation in her voice.
Lee responded by saying, "the planning process starts now."
Brown responded by saying the plan involves a series of steps occurring in the next 8 months: relocating Poindexter Village residents; demolishing the buildings; making the site ready for re-development; and planning with current Near East Side residents about what they'd like to see.
"By then, we expect to have the plan you're looking for," Brown said in her to question.
Rita Smith asked PACT officials about using vacant housing in the Near East Side, instead of relocating Poindexter Village residents to outlying areas. Smith suggested this would cost less money. State Senator Charleta Tavares responded by saying land bank projects are underway.
Last month 10TV reported Mayor Coleman announced during the State of the City address a Mow to Own program which he said will come out in greater detail in about a year.
One resident asked about what is being done for Poindexter Village residents who don't meet eligibility standards for getting assistance as they relocate. A CMHA official responded by saying, "there is a process for those who fall thru the cracks," while repeating the idea that renovating Poindexter Village would not be feasible given the high costs, estimated to be about $60 million.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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TomOver
lovecause.org
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Part 2 of Notes of Town Hall Meeting with Near East Side Residents and PACT Officials
One Near East Side resident whose name sounded like "Alia Robins" as moderator Charleta Tavares announced it, said people in the neighborhood should get jobs related to revitalization projects.
As a former resident of Cincinnati's Over the Rhine neighborhood during its revitalization, she said she was saddened when out-of-state workers got the jobs. Many members of the audience applauded as she pressed officials to say whether they have or will set a minimum percentage as a requirement for hiring people in the neighborhood to do jobs related to development projects.
"That's a good question, but we don't have an answer," said PACT Advisory Chair, Fred Ransier. "We have to look at why people aren't getting those jobs, and what has to be done to ensure they have the skills to do those jobs."
After Robins repeated her question about whether PACT officials would commit to a minimum percentage, James Ervin of the CMHA Board of Commissioners responded by saying, "We have to reach out to minority contractors and vendors. We're doing everything within our power and within the bounds of the law to give preference to local businesses."
Also in response to her question, Bryan Brown, Senior VP for Business Development, said PACT has put in its contracts incentives for working with minority-owned businesses.
Sam Argawal, an activist who's been involved with opposing the demolition of Poindexter Village said PACT has not taken into account the rich African American history of the area. She said the area's Blackberry Patch was an important spot for the African-American struggle for civil rights. Argawal said PACT officials have paid inadequate attention to the OSU African American and African Studies Community Extension Center on Mount Vernon Avenue.
Argawal asked PACT officials to account for how well they are acting in accordance with the Fair Housing Act. She said the act requires planners and developers to ensure that their projects don't end up re-segregating communities.
"Has CMHA followed the fair housing process? Has anyone done a racial analysis of what's happening as you force residents to relocate? 600 people have been moved out. Where's the paper trail so the public can see if this is re-segregating communities? Relief should be provided to those who've not been treated according to the Fair Housing Act."
Of all the public comments, Argawal's drew the longest and loudest applause. Afterwards, among the crowd at various places in the gymnasium of Trinity Baptist Church, middle-aged Black men and women, some in business suits and some dressed causally, leaned over to shake hands with the young petite Indian-American Argawal.
Brown responded to Argawal by saying, "The answer to most of your questions is yes...We've been communicating with our municipal partners. We have 40 zip codes in Columbus. Part of HUD's priority for assisted housing is that it not be concentrated in pockets of poverty and minority areas. This ensures equal access to jobs, housing, and transportation. HUD has actually called us to see how we've been so successful. I'd also remind you that when it comes to paper trails, our residents have a right to privacy. That's why the relocation data we have given so far uses zip codes."
Brown's response to Argawal got some applause, though it was comparatively small. PACT Executive Director Dawn Tyler Lee said, in response to Argawal, that the OSU African American and African Studies Community Extension Center was included in the 'launch' event for the project. Lee said there is a video about it "on the site." But I haven't found it on on the PACT site or the site for the center
In a vein similar to the points and questions from Argwal, a person who moderator Tavares announced as Professor Newsom said, "We keep hearing a lot of talk about 'mixed income communities.' If that's the goal, is there a model? We hear words like 'revitalization.' But when these kinds of things happen, places become out-of-reach for low-income people. Some of us here might not want to hear the word, but it's called gentrification. So, what's being done to make sure that what you're doing to Poindexter Village and the Near East Side doesn't displace people and erase our heritage?"
In response to Newsom, Ervin of CMHA said, "I understand what's happened in Chicago, LA, and other cities where traditional African-American communities no longer exist. But we're doing all we can to prevent this from happening in Columbus." This drew a small amount of applause and some poker-faced looks from the crowd. Tavares said land trusts are part of the solution.
Tavares then she told members of the audience to ask questions and not give "long orations." All due respect to her, but it was odd she said that, given how some of the PACT officials spoke at great length as the audience sat patiently. The whole two hours should have been devoted to answering questions from the public, as far as I'm concerned. Members of the community can do without the usual death-by-being-lectured-to some officials seem prone to inflict. What do you think, more interaction between the hoi polloi and those in power and less speeches where the audience sits passively ?
I also didn't like how Tavares instructed the audience to not point out problems unless we had solutions to offer, as part of the rules for the town hall meeting. Officials should be willing to hear from the community about problems, even if the messenger or no one else for that matter, has a solution.
Andre Frazier suggested to PACT officials that bricks of the buildings of Poindexter Village be given to people in the neighborhood.
"We have a lot of young Black men who need something to do. We can use those bricks to make patios and porches. It's not that hard. Those bricks are something we can touch as part of the history of our community. If we have some of the bricks, we have a piece of our history. And it recycles the bricks."
Frazier's remark got some applause. But Ervin said, "Typically building materials from a demolition are rendered over to the general contractor."
A person whose name I hope I'm not misspelling, Baba Ashongo, said, "PACT is not giving indigenous people here anything in return for the land. I saw the same thing happen in Boston." Looking briefly around the church gymnasium, he said, "I suggest the affluent African-Americans here move back to the historically Black communities. We have German Village, Italian Village, Hungarian Village. Let's have an African Village."
Another person from the audience told PACT officials she is concerned that stricter codes for the upkeep of houses in the Near East Side will lead to some current residents not being able to afford to stay in their homes.
Allie, a short curly haired blonde with United Commercial Food Workers (UCFW)--- I'm not sure how to spell her last name but I know what she does for a living---asked officials if they would commit to a community benefit agreement (CBA).
Officials at the town hall meeting took that and a few other questions all together. They didn't give their opinion about a CBA during the event. But Tavares and others said they would respond in writing to the questions they didn't answer last night.
Deb Steele with Columbus Jobs with Justice said a CBA related to PACT would involve a local hiring provision and a career ladder for OSU employees.
"For example, someone working as a janitor should have a way to get training to work as a phlebotomist."
She said development in the Near East Side shouldn't follow the pattern of South Campus Gateway where few people from nearby communities were hired for construction and renovation work, and where national chains displaced local businesses.
Steele suggested as an example the CBA a group called Pittsburgh United achieved.
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Near East Side redevelopment plan gets $500,000 from city
By Lucas Sullivan
The Columbus Dispatch
Tuesday May 8, 2012 5:18 AM
Columbus has agreed to contribute $500,000 to help redevelop the Near East Side around University Hospitals East, a project that has drawn criticism from some residents who fear the plan will eliminate businesses. The city’s contribution, approved by the City Council last night, will be spread over the next five years to help the Partners Achieving Community Transformation, or PACT, facilitate the project.
READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/05/08/near-east-side-redevelopment-plan-gets-500000-from-city.html
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May 15, 2012 10:00am
Master Planning Effort to Transform Near East Side Neighborhoods
By: Walker
More than two years ago, a group of civic leaders announced a $10 million pledge from The Ohio State University to invest in neighborhood revitalization efforts surrounding the OSU Hospital East, located on Taylor Avenue. At that time, little detail was provided as to how that money would be spent or what it could be used for.
READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/master-planning-effort-to-transform-near-east-side-neighborhoods
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$10M Gift Could Transform Columbus Community
Tuesday July 24, 2012 7:38 AM
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Neighbors on the Near East side were working together to determine how to best spend a $10 million gift from The Ohio State University. More than 100 residents gathered to help write the community's next chapter, under the guidance of a group called Partners Achieving Community Transformation, also known as PACT.
READ MORE: http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2012/07/24/columbus-10-million-dollar-gift-could-change-community.html
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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Via Email:
November Open House Matrix with feedback now available!
PACT would like to thank everyone who attended the November Open House at King Arts Complex. It was a wonderful success! It is amazing to see so many members of our community invested in the future of the Near East Side. Please see the November Open House Matrix with feedback on our website at http://www.eastpact.org:
http://eastpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/121207_Matrix_Boards_Filled.pdf
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