Presentation 6.23.12 Public Meeting

Public Meeting #4June 23, 2012

11:30am-2:30pm

Greenville Community PlanNeighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program

www.facebook.com/GreenvilleCommunityPlan

http://www.facebook.com/GreenvilleCommunityPlan

Refreshments and Networking: 11:30-11:50am

Welcome: 11:50am-12:00pm John Restrepo, Garden State Episcopal CDC

Revisiting Purpose: 12-12:30pm Angela McKnight, Angela Cares/Resident Rosemary Nwabueze, Christ The King Church/Bergen Communities United

Catching Up: 12:30-1:00pm John Restrepo/Matt Ward , Garden State Episcopal CDC Monique Andrews, Snyder High School Parent Council/Resident Arnold B. Williams, Old Greenville Neighborhood Association

Residential & Community Development Strategies: 1-1:40pm Evans Jones, Mason Jones Realty/Resident

Corridor Improvement Strategies: 1:40-2:15pm Tinia Bland, Astor Place Neighborhood Association President

Next Steps: 2:15-2:30pm Cornelius A Frazier & Cheronne Cheatam, Residents/Positively Reinforcing Youth Development

Greenville Community Plan

Public Meeting #4 – June 23, 2012

AGENDA



Welcome

Building an Empire Christ the King Church Claremont Lafayette United

Presbyterian Church C-line Community Outreach

Services College Preparatory Incentive

Program Friends of the Lifers Garden State Episcopal CDC Jackson Hill Main Street SID NAACP Rising Tide Capital Snyder High School Parent

Council Urban League of Hudson County

Angela McKnight Angela Carter Arnold B. Williams Celestine Shaw Cheronne Cheatam Cornelius Frazier Deborah Alston Donna Sweringen Edward Chiles Evans Jones James Johnson Kim Greene

Loukia Altenor Tawana Williams Tiffany McQueary Tinia Bland Rose Howard Rose Moultrie Regina Hill Vandora Fair

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty- Winston Churchill

What is this plan about?Why are we doing this?What are the goals?Why is it important?



Revisiting PurposeFunding- The NRTC brings in much needed funding for community projects.

Momentum- The process provides a venue to build community support for innovative initiatives.

Collaboration- The planning process encourages dialogue among stakeholders in Greenville to work towards the public good

Idea development- NRTC is an incentive for the community to collaboratively develop solid fundable programs

Flexibility-The NRTC funds can be leveraged in many ways that fill the gaps where other funding stops.

Replacement- Establishing NRTC Programs can help replace monies lost in by budget cuts.

Example: Bergen Communities United



Revisiting Purpose continued…

www.bergencommunitiesunited.com

What area does it cover?




Bergen Ave.

Ocean Ave.

Union St.

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dlaw

n Av

e.

How Does the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) Program Work?

Planning Process Requirements

How does it interact with existing plans and activities?




A CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FOR GREENVILLE BY GREENVILLE

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An incentive to bring Exchange Place funds to MLK Drive.

In Short, NRTC establishes:



The Key to the success of the NRTC Planning efforts lies within the carrot the plans provide to inspire corporate support for the plan’s programs.

Revisiting Purpose continued

Potential Funders

OUR NRTC “Foundation”



Benefits Localized control of community

investment Leverages other funding Capacity to combine with other

funding sources Collaboration on projects Gap financing Funding for real estate and non- real

estate programs Possible replacement for funding

cuts Can address service voids

Boundaries Project must occur in the target area No more that $1 million in NRTC

financing can be spent on one program/project

No more than $4 million can be spent on all programs/projects

60% of funds must be used for brick and mortar or economic development and 40% on non-real estate programs

Review after 4 years




The Consultants RoleExperience in the development of NRTC Plans across NJ

Expertise

Decision Makers

Garden State Episcopal CDC’s RoleNJDCA Grantee and Facilitator/Administrative support

Conduit

The Steering Committee’s RoleUltimate authority of the plan


Catching Up




Who is Garden State Episcopal CDC (GSECDC)? Before After Before After

Who is Garden State Episcopal CDC (GSECDC)? Started as

affordable housing organization in 1986

Serves over 2,000 people annually

Also provides employment training, social services, housing education and homeless services

Over 60% of services benefit Greenville

Revisiting Purpose continued…Revisiting Purpose continued…



220 units /82 abandoned properties

House 500 people annually

Remediated 44 lots with chromium contamination

Rehabilitated abandoned school house

55 units of home ownership over the past 5 years

Mixed use development

200 units house the homeless and special need populations

18 foreclosed units (working on 16 more)

150 people served annually through employment training and

placement. 65% placement rate. Average salary is $12-15 p/hr.

Emergency food pantry for the hungry

Emergency services and drop in center for the homelesswww.gsecdc.org www.facebook.com/GardenStateEpiscopal

http://www.gsecdc.org/

http://www.facebook.com/GardenSTateEpiscopal

Who is Garden State Episcopal CDC (GSECDC)?Revisiting Purpose continued…Revisiting Purpose continued…



Catching Up

The Plan identifies issues

and develops programs for

proposed solutions

The State certifies that the plan meets state

rules for programs and participation.

A Group approaches the

steering committee to implement a program

in the Plan.

The Steering Committee reviews

the request for program

implementation.

Corporations approach the state

to fund the approved program.

The State approves the Steering committee

request to fund a program in the Plan.

Planning Process



Catching Up



Neighborhood Plan Development

Catching Up



Catching Up



What Has Been Done to Date?

Vision Statement

Catching Up



In 2022, the Greenville is… UN

ITED

SAFE

INFORMED

EDU

CATE

D

PROSPEROUSA GREAT COMMUNITY

Goals and Objectives1. Empower Local Residents & Strengthen

Families 2. Ensure Economic Opportunity for Residents

& Vitality of MLK Drive 3. Improve Housing Quality & Neighborhood

Amenities4. Create a Safe Place to Live, Work, & Play

Catching Up



Program MenuCatching Up



Education &Training After school programs Summer programs Apprenticeships Job fairs Entrepreneurship Local Business development Internships & Volunteer programs

with Regional Employers Work with Existing Training agencies

to bring service to MLK Corridor Life Skills Training Create employment opportunities

from activities funded by the plan

Health & Human Services Community Gardens Mobile Health Services Neighborhood Guide Expand recreational facilities Annual Health Fairs Additional Day Care Transportation Bus Shelters Light Rail Safety Transit oriented development at HUB Ride Sharing Programs Jitney Service Improve frequency of bus lines “B”

Catching Up



Residential & Community Development Block clean ups Street Fairs/Festivals Target abandoned properties Rehabilitate vacant structures Fill vacant lots Promote home ownership Target foreclosures Foreclosure prevention Advocate for adequate mortgage products for

new buyers and people that need to refinance Address code violations Create more affordable housing – sustainable

and mixed Beautify the neighborhood- utility boxes, pride

flags, notice boards, walking historical tours, murals

Corridor Improvements Façade improvements Beautify with flower boxes, benches, et Improve pedestrian crossings Discourage loitering Bike lanes Promote higher density at HUBPublic Safety Work with County, State and city to reduce crime Provide young offenders options when released Improve Lighting Gang Awareness Walking and bicycle patrols Security cameras Neighborhood watch Understanding statistics to advise strategy

Program Menu

Residential & Community Development



Key Statistics to Consider




147 abandoned buildings (21% of city total) 17 foreclosures 46 pre-foreclosures ( mostly 2 family homes)

2011 backlog of foreclosures coming in 2012 $135,000 average negative equity 110 vacant lots

Median income $33,000 can afford: $847 Rent $63,000 single family home $240,000 two family home

41% of population earns less than $25k annual Can only afford $500 rent

Fair Market Rent s $1,085- $1,652 for 1-4 BR units Median value of homes is $280,000 From 2000 to 2010 affordability options diminished for households

earning 50-80% Area Median Income (AMI) 49% of homes were affordable in 2000 vs. 18% in 2010 for people at

80% AMI 24% of homes were affordable in 2000 vs. 7% in 2010 for people at

50% AMI

16% vacancy rate vs. 2.46 % in County 75% rental stock vs. 25% Owners 44% of owners and renters are cost burdened Concentration of high cost loans 45% of foreclosures are in Greenville 41 Home Improvement loans in 2004 vs. 1 in 2010

Catching Up



Key Statistics to Consider


ADRESS PROBLEM PROPERTIES: Fix at least 30% (44) of abandoned

structures Reduce property maintenance code

violations by at least 50% Reduce vacant lots by at least 25% (27

lots) Reduce foreclosures by at least 25%

(19-25 units) Reduce impact of foreclosures by at

least 30% assisting 22-30 households with foreclosure prevention. Research viability of Buy Back Programs

Catching Up




Desired 5 year OutcomesADDRESS AFFORDABILITY ISSUES Increase stock of affordable housing

by at least 3% (150 units) Decrease number of households

paying over 30% of income for housing

Increase home ownership rate by at least 5% (65 units)

Increase affordable rental stock by at least 10% (85 units)

Provide housing options to mixed income populations including seniors and special needs households

Assist at least 40 cost burdened home owners with home improvements

Provide pre purchase education to at least 200 potential first time buyers, savings programs and credit repair

Provide regular information on mortgage products to at least 50 households per year

OTHER: Walking tour of historical sites Murals and other beautification

projects Community notice boards Increase sense of community

through events Review appropriateness of zoning

regulations Tie in city (HORP) and other

resources for home improvements (Rebuilding Together)

Advocate for competitive project selection and community feedback on all major projects and coordination of utility projects

Trees and lighting

MLK Drive Corridor Improvements



June 1, 2012 Assessment 23 vacant lots 23 abandoned properties 18 vacant commercial spaces 9 vacant residential spaces above

functioning ground floor 9 store front Houses of Worship Many essential services missing No Major Employers in the area

From JGSC Group “Bringing Business back to Martin Luther King Drive (2009) $343.3 million per year spent in other

communities instead of MLK Safety and security major deterrent for

people outside of neighborhood Lacks variety of services Excess amount of vacant lots affect

“Window Shopping” after 75 foot gaps Excess amount of vacant properties and

blight contributes to unsafe feeling Need to broaden economic diversity

(mixed income and disposable income)

MLK Drive Corridor Improvements



Key Information to ConsiderFrom JGSC Group “Bringing Business back to Martin Luther King Drive (continued) Key sites around HUB/Light rail remain vacant Create Special Improvements Districts and new public spaces to help

businesses district succeed 25% vacant, 8% store front churches and 17 residential (no commercial

component)- 50% of total properties Poor maintenance of sidewalks, streetlights, garbage cans, etc. Improper lighting not inviting to pedestrians Area lacks bus shelters contributes to perception of loitering Steel security gates contribute to feeling of insecurity Jumbled appearance business makes the district less attractive Buildings not well maintained Commercial rent is high and does not help recruitment and retention 2 out of 5 households do not have cars and rely on public transportation Bad signage (business and streets)- no theme Plan for parking for when commercial district takes off Need to increase residential spaces above ground to help with “Eyes on

Street”

Need to assess conditions, Bergen Ave. and Ocean Avenue.

Reduce vacant lots by at least 13% (3 lots)

Reduce abandoned structures by at least 13% (3 properties)

Reduce boarded and “broken windows” by at least 50% (12 temporary murals)

Reduce ground floor commercial vacancy rates by at least 27% (5 substandard ground floor spaces)

Reduce upper floor residential vacancy rates by at least 30% (3 buildings)

Promote cohesive shopping areas Façade improvement for 20

businesses or 2 blocks Beautify street corridor

with banners, flower boxes, etc.

Evaluate and improve pedestrian crossings

Expand number of trash cans by 28% (15 with solar powered compression)

MLK Corridor Improvements



Desired 5 year OutcomesVibrant & Healthy “Main Street” on MLK Drive:

Reduce business turnover through education and training (25 businesses)

Diversify the commercial mix and range of essential services (banks, pharmacy, doctors, sit down restaurants)

Reduce incidents of crime, including loitering through street lighting and expanding CCTV system

Increase police foot patrols Promote code enforcement Advocate for increased services for

proper maintenance of pavements and street lines

Work with City on zoning issues relating to storefront houses of worship

Promote pedestrian friendly signage Increase awareness of business

assistance programs and services Target concentrated area for impact Develop “affordable commercial”

grant/loan program to retain and recruit businesses to area

Plan for future parking needs

Next Steps



Steering Committee will meet the 3rd Thursday of every month starting in July 19th at 11am at the Mary Bethune Center

Schedule for completion of other program areas: Public Safety, Health and Human Services, Education and Training, and Transportation To Be Determined

Resident Satisfaction Survey this summer with stipendsLand/Property Survey this summerComplete draft plan by September for final public commentSubmit to State in NovemberHow to Stay in touch

[email protected] x 315www.facebook.com/GardenStateEpiscopal

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.facebook.com/GardenStateEpiscopal

http://www.facebook.com/GardenStateEpiscopal

Presentation 6.23.12 Public Meeting

Documents

Transcript of Presentation 6.23.12 Public Meeting