February 23, 2012
Council Adopts Neighborhood Revitilization Plan

by Jason Rodriguez
Dec. 28, 2010
Courtesy The Post Journal

Monday's vote in support of the city plan for neighborhood revitalization is the next step in an ongoing process, said City Council President Greg Rabb.

"I'm really excited that we were able to do it. My goal was to get it done by 2010," said Rabb said. "Tonight is the culmination of a lot of work - it wasn't always easy."

The completed consultant report by czb, LLC, was unveiled May 3 in the Council Chambers, and it was put under the microscope by the public and members of the council Housing Committee as well the city Planning Commission. The Department of Development correlated much of the ongoing dialogue into an addendum of local recommendations, after it was determined that the consultant study needed to be expanded to include other locally significant criteria.

The resolution presented Monday states the "unaltered entirety" of czb plan, titled "Reinvesting In Itself," has been passed along with the additional recommendations by the Planning Commission.

The finished product is called "City of Jamestown, New York: A Livable Community." Its three sections contain the czb study, as well as "Vision and Planning Principals" and Collaborative Actions and Specific Recommendations. Appendices also showcase related city reports and initiatives, such as a cost comparison between city housing and residential areas of surrounding communities.

SETTING HIGH BAR

Len Faulk, member of the Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission, addressed the council in anticipation of the collaboration ensured among the city and the private sector.

"With your affirming vote tonight, we can build on efforts already under way and set a high bar for the housing reinvestments that will energize our housing market, grow our tax base and reaffirming our great pride in living in such a beautiful and friendly town."

Faulk said the czb consultant's original recommendation remains true, that there are "pivotal blocks" and key homes in the city that must are essential to the stabilization of greater neighborhoods. He said there are details objectives that require the cooperation of governments and civic organizations to "create incentives sufficient enough to encourage home-owner reinvestment."

LOCAL STRENGTH

Councilmen noted the long path to bring a completed plan before the council. Tony Dolce, R-Ward 2, said housing problems are a symptom of larger dilemmas such as unemployment, acknowledging a public comment raised about the plan. But Dolce said the comprehensive document addresses the economic climate of the city.

"I can assure that, after seeing both plans - the czb as well as the city's plan - glued together, that those issues are certainly things that we looked at."

Rabb said the final product of the study and added recommendations draws from the strengths of the city. So far, the hard work has been shared by Faulk, his SPPC housing task force, and numerous members of the city agencies. And he added it is encouraging to have the participation of so many from the public.

"If this plan is going to work, it is because we care enough to make it work," he said.

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See the original story at Post-Journal.com.

Go to the plan:  City of Jamestown: A Livable Community