“Gentrification” and other Oppositions to Development

I agree with the spirit of JB Manin’s recent letter to our community. However, he brings up gentrification issues in the 3rd Ward of Houston. I submit that the issues there are very different from ours. In that case State Representative Garnet Coleman is attempting to preserve a black neighborhood that has roots in segregated Houston. The 19th Ward prides itself on a rich history of eschewing segregation and embracing diversity. The 19WCA’s mission is “To create a conscious multi-racial community where individual and cultural differences are celebrated and where people share a sense of community.” This idea is 40+ years old. I think people demonize gentrification by attaching the idea of displacement to it. In fact, there is evidence that gentrification keeps current residents in a neighborhood. In other words, if our neighborhood is not restored and upgraded many of us will move...even if we aren’t willing to admit it. And gentrification can foster increased diversity.

As for the other concerns I think they are significant but not necessarily valid. I went and looked at some of the areas complaining about potential reduced view of the river. Imagine my surprised when I found that they do not have a view of the river now! As for parking and traffic congestion, with the addition of a sizable hotel and a popular coffee shop in that area I have not witnessed any traffic or parking problems. Apparently the developer accounted for this. As for use of the riverfront, the “public” will use it when there are reasons to be there. I have always used the bike path. I find the experience much more enjoyable since development. It is more safe, more scenic, and there are actually other people there!

As I said I agree with JB. I agree that we need to stay vigilant and support dialogue. I also think that most people hate change and will object on the face of it.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on September 29, 2009 at 11:41am

I have to say that I am worried about parts of our community becoming gentrified. I feel Brooks Landing is prime for this. In my eyes, this can take several forms, one is folks being forced out of an area because of the cost to live there becomes to high, and the other is that residents do not feel welcome in their neighborhood as more affluent or more educated people move in. This may not be the truth, but in their minds they think it is.

But what I think is the cause of the distrusts and hostility for the proposed development come from the fact, that people feel like they have had not input in the future of their neighborhood. And in some cases, such as Riverview apartments for the U of R, even with public input the final project is not really what many thought it would be like. (ex. all the gateways to and from the bike path and access to the river have been locked shut).

Personally I am excited about the interest in further development of the 19th Ward. But I also would like to know that residents get to have some input into what gets built. I have not met Mr. Christensen, but from what I've heard, he seems to care about his projects, and the neighborhoods they get built in. But I also know that as property owners we need to provide up-keep on our own homes and businesses as well. We did not wake up one morning to find the 19th Ward in the state of disrepair that is it today.

It is a balancing act between keeping the character of the 19th Ward, while building sustainable development that enhances that character, and builds the tax base we need to prosper. But I know one thing, with all of us remaining involved and engaged in the 19th Ward, were going to be fine.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on September 29, 2009 at 3:47pm

River View is WAY better then what was there, and I would bet the land values in that are prove it. I was trying to use it as a design element that was put into a project based on community input, that was removed, or eliminated after being built. I understand for safety reasons why they were locked, which points to the need for MORE development, and investment in the 19th Ward to help prevent and reduce criminal activity.

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Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on September 29, 2009 at 5:09pm

I imagine that most of us in the 19th ward lock our doors, garages, windows, etc - and, if we lived in a different time and/or place we might not feel the need. If Riverview has locked their gates, they've probably done so because of the crime we are faced with. I agree that having a SAFER community is better for all of us- investors, home owners, visitors, students, etc. Without a sense of safety, investors will NOT build and those that do will feel compelled to put up some gates.
Re: jb's message - it makes sense and I agree. The 'problem' is that we don't have a good forum for the community dialogue that is so desperately needed here. And, every single community 'dialogue' or meeting i have attended has resulted in fizzling out of ideas, input and forward motion. While I am glad that the mayor went to the delegates council meeting and 'mostly listened', i am not confident that the 19WCA really represents all of the viewpoints of our community. We need a better way to get more people TO/AT 'the table' and need to be sure that all voices are heard and considered.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on September 29, 2009 at 5:56pm

I do not think there is one single entity that represents all of the 19th Ward. And to move forward we need to have one voice, that is unified and on the same page when it comes to the 19th Ward.

I will say this, I am working on a plan. By now, most of you know me, and know I'm not going to wait for something to happen :) ! I have some ideas, that I am working on right now. And trying to figure out how to make them work. It pretty much just comes down to having enough time to get them done!

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on September 29, 2009 at 10:45pm

Originally, that group was the 19th Ward Community Association. And I see no reason it cannot be one voice that represents the whole ward. I certainly would welcome new ideas, Shawn, as there are some areas in the ward that do not even have representatives. I would welcome an opportunity to discuss with you, say at the Corner Cookout coming up.

I agree in concept with what you are saying. I just think you need to involve everyone with an interest, and take time to talk to all groups involved, before making a plan. I would be glad to talk with you about this, and will at the cookout.

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Permalink Reply by Marian Boutet on September 30, 2009 at 2:34pm

A little history - the 19th Ward Community Association came together way back in the late 60's to resist block busting when the neighborhood started to become more integrated. The Association actually obtained a Cease and Desist order from the State Attorney General to prevent certain practices by some real estate companies to frighten white home-owners into panic selling their properties because black families were moving in down the block. The multi-cultural neighborhood you see now came about because of a deliberate effort by small group of determined people. Sound familiar?

To this day, the Association has a Zoning Committee that studies proposed changes to properties, and lobbies the City of Rochester in order to maintain the family-oriented quality of the neighborhood. City Hall takes these opinions seriously and zoning decisions are often modified accordingly. The committee meets as necessary and welcomes new members. Call the office if you're interested: 328-6571.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on October 1, 2009 at 1:33am

Yes, in fact the 19th WCA is one of the longest-operating community associations in the U.S.!

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on October 6, 2009 at 9:56pm

Here is an interesting photo I came across dated almost exactly 4 years ago (October 11, 2005), of the ground breaking of Brooks Landing. Yes FOUR years ago! In the image the hotel and the restaurant are shown, but not the offices just north across Brooks Ave. So for those of us (me) that were not here at the beginning of the development of Brooks Landing. The restaurant has been part of the plan from the beginning.
Now as the nest phase of the project moves forward, we need community input, and consideration to help shape the design into something was can ALL be proud of. Not just kill it because we don't like something about it. Or create unobtainable demands on the project to stop it either. We need a larger tax base. We have someone willing to build in our neighborhood, lets work togther, and make this happen.
-Shawn
photo courtesy of John Boutet

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Permalink Reply by John Boutet on October 11, 2009 at 5:13pm

The impact of "gentrification" from development along the river will probably be very positive in the 19th Ward for home owners. They are not likely to see homes torn down to make room for large student housing developments or the like. They will see their property values go up and new businesses come into the area. The residents of the PLEX neighborhood however are in the path of the future development and are generally renting. They have good reason to be apprehensive of rising property values raising their rents not to mention some current rental housing being torn down to make room for development. Only if new jobs they are or can be qualified for also move in to the neighborhood will they benefit. When we are going to be disrupting peoples lives the transition needs to be carefully thought out and controlled to minimize negative impact on the community as a whole.

In the case of the Brooks Landing area, the impact a restaurant and additional housing units will have on parking has to be carefully studied to ensure parking congestion will not spill over to nearby streets. Will we need to tear down a house along Genesee Street across from Ter Park to make room for a multi level garage? Which house or houses get torn down? What will the impact be on the character of the neighborhood?

I heard yesterday there was a petition posted in the Boulder Coffee soliciting continued Brooks Landing development support. The petition supposedly listed benefits but did not mention to the parking issue. I went looking for the petition today but did not see it. Does anyone know anything about this?

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on October 11, 2009 at 9:56pm

Don't know anything about the petition, but have a question. Did I read somewhere that parking would be underground for the new development of a restaurant and housing?

I would certainly welcome development and rising property values. The PLEX neighborhood has been experiencing development and new housing for the past two years, and this is positive. There has been steady improvement here lately, and it needs to continue.

I may be wrong, but I don't see any disruption in people's lives, except an improved neighborhood. If rents go up that may be a while down the road, and that happens every year anyway. Don't read this wrong, but let's improve our housing and neighborhood buildings, and strengthen the area, while we can and have people willing to invest in doing so.

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Permalink Reply by John Boutet on October 12, 2009 at 7:10pm

From what I have heard second hand there will be some underground parking but not enough to offset all the additional demand of the restaurant plus housing minus reduced above ground parking.

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Permalink Reply by Marcy Lloyd on October 19, 2009 at 5:37pm

I am in agreement. When we fix it up, those of us who live here now want to stay, and those who rent feel happy and respected and are more inclined to see their neighborhood as a nice place, not a borderline slum that they have no trouble trashing.

Gentrification arguments seem to be red herrings, a buzz word without substantive definition most of the time. The alternative is Bullshead right in front of us, Detroit around us, and those who can afford to then leave. Let's get Thurston back to what it was 20 years ago, and then some!

The 19WCA can be reinvigorated, and I am sure they want it. Let's get all working groups and people aware, and let's wake things up and push back against the tide of decay - and it will take effort, and some people will fuss, but if they aren't doing anything to change things for the better, they aren't being part of the solution, and I don't have time to listen to negativity. My neighborhood will die, otherwise.

I too have some ideas and "plans" that I believe would help greatly. Perhaps those (no matter how few at this time) who have some ideas, visions and plans could meet (perhaps at that new place on Brooks/Thurston?) and really paint some visions.