Historical February 1984 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Jan. 9 meeting of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council had an impressive agenda: Nina Place; the 1984 SDCC Budget; and the proposal of new committees redesigned to reach into the community for greater participation in the work of the Council. NINA PLACE Alderman Dan McGuire presented Board Bill 674, which he has already introduced, with a public hearing set for Jan. 25.
As reported in the December issue, the bill designates certain specific buildings within the Nina Place area as blighted, allowing a developer to be eligible for tax abatement once a redevelopment plan is approved. Pantheon Corporation has purchased several buildings and has plans to renovate them as apartments for rent. Designation as a blighted area can provide several incentives to current owners, as well as to developers, according to Alderman McGuire: 1) Tax abatement incentives, 2) Capital improvements to be made by the City if the entire area is developed, and 3) A 5-year “obsolescence” tax freeze for owners who renovate properties. Other property owners will be required to maintain external property standards up to the building code, just as anyone else in the neighborhood and city. Only those wishing to apply for tax abatement or tax credit need to bring the property up to the more specialized standards. Conflicting views and questions were raised at the December meeting of the Council (held after December issue of The Paper). Those issues and responses by McGuire are as follows: 1) Effect on insurance rates McGuire: None 2) Effect on City services McGuire: No reduction in current services; actual improvements result from sidewalk and curb additions. 3) If buildings are not listed in this bill as blighted, could they be blighted in future for new owner? McGuire: Yes, but that option may not be available. 4) Protection for low-income families? McGuire: Normally a developer will structure low-income housing in his plan 5) Willis Lloyd said, “It will be a difficult to sell the bill in light of Tiffany.” McGuire: “If people are informed of the truth, the bill should have no difficulty.” At the January meeting, the Council voted unanimously in favor of two motions concerning Nina Place: — To put SDCC on record as supporting Board Bill 674, instructing the executive director to inform the appropriate aldermanic committee of its support. — To give a round of applause to Alderman McGuire for his hard work in seeing the project through to this point. “A Piece of the Rock” Ray Breun, St. Roch’s representative to the Council, announced the formation of a new non-profit corporation, to be called “A Piece of the Roch,” which has applied for 501 (c) (3) status.
This corporation, funded personally by Father Sal Polizzi, has purchased two buildings and one vacant lot from LRA: 5858 Nina Place, 5900 McPherson, and 5941-43 McPherson.
The reason for this investment is to participate in the Nina Place redevelopment effort. BUDGET The Operation Budget for 1984, presented by Treasurer Kathleen Hamilton, included some important differences from previous budgets: — Delmar Baptist and Grace Methodist churches have reduced their contributions, — Parkview Agents have offered to contribute annually, though not enough to compensate for the above losses. — The Council will be operating at a deficit, and — Cuts will be made to reduce this deficit (details in the expanded budget to be presented in full at the next meeting). NEW COUNCIL COMMITTEES Council President Karleen Hoerr said the goal in developing new committees is to involve residents throughout the community in the work of the Council.
These will be standing committees, and each will include at least one Council member.
The actual tasks of the committees will be determined by the new groups, which will then report to the Council.
The Council is actively seeking volunteers for the following committees: — Development Committee — purpose is to develop fund-raising strategies. — Finance Committee — purpose is to regulate and control the budget. — Housing Committee — purpose is to assess and assist code enforcement, to work with the Neighborhood Liaison Officer from City Hall and with the Building Division, to encourage beautification efforts, including Opertion Brightside, to coordinate housing assistance programs for the area, to award the Home Improvement Award on a regular basis. — Social Welfare Committee — purpose is to initiate, coordinate, and assist various social welfare programs with special emphasis on those in need. — Business Committee — purpose is to research, recommend, and assist in improving the business climate, to bring new businesses into the area and to develop means to assist residents in finding employment in the area. — Safety Committee — purpose is to assist with organizing crime prevention programs, including Operation SafeStreet. —Program Committee — to develop a calendar of events, to promote cultural, educational and entertaining activities. Interested residents may call or write Anne FitzGibbons, Executive Director, at the SDCC office, 6008 Kingsbury, or call 862-5122.
Originally published in The Paper, February 1984.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Front-page jump incorrectly says page 2; the continuation is on page 8 and has been joined. Printed A Piece of the Rock subheading differs from A Piece of the Roch corporation name in the body; both retained. Historical development and budget projections are contemporary statements, not verified outcomes.
Original source: SD_Times1984_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 8; PDF page(s) 1, 8.
