PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee met on October 12, 2004, at 12:04 p.m. with Chairman Pitts presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Hogan, and Mr. Truitt. Mr. Anderson was absent. Members of Council present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Sadusky, and Council President Williams (arrived at 12:37 p.m.). Mayor Speed was also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Truitt moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Hogan and unanimously carried.
Home Ownership in Target Area
Ms. Ami Sebastian-Hauer, Executive Director of the Dover Housing Authority, and her assistant, Ms. Renee Smith, reviewed a fact sheet provided to members regarding the Dover Community Partnership (DCP). The mission of the DCP is to promote home-ownership opportunities to families, regardless of income level, in the City of Dover target area, which consists of a 20 block area in need of revitalization. The DCP Advisory Board is a partnership of representatives of Senator Carper’s Office, City of Dover, City Council, Dover Housing Authority, Wesley College, Fannie Mae, NCALL, and the Delaware State Housing Authority.
Members were provided a map of the target area, which depicted the status of the properties. Ms. Sebastian-Hauer explained that the nine (9) block area for Phase I of the project will be comprised of the properties located between Mary Street south to Division Street, and Governors Avenue west to North Queen Street. This area consists of 131 properties: 6 vacant lots, 2 condemned properties, 4 properties for sale, 58 rental housing, 37 owner occupied, 11 commercial properties, and 10 church owned properties. The goal is to have home-ownership for Phase I increase by 7%.
Ms. Sebastian-Hauer advised members that the DCP first seeks to acquire vacant lots, then those that are condemned, and properties for sale. Prior to acquisition, program staff inspects the property to determine how each property will be prepared for sale. She explained that new houses will be built on vacant lots, condemned houses will be demolished and new houses built, and properties for sale will be assessed to determine cost rehabilitative versus demolition and new construction. Ms. Sebastian-Hauer assured members that DCP will not buy a property and build a house until a family has been approved. NCALL has indicated that they have several families who have been pre-approved for mortgages from $120,000 to $140,000 that are not able to find affordable housing.
Mr. Pitts relayed his feeling that the neighborhood can once again be vibrant and suggested that the City has failed in terms of requiring rental properties to have the same responsibilities of maintaining their property as homeowners, which would help refurbish the neighborhood tremendously.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Ms. Sebastian-Hauer stated that the DCP realizes the close proximity of Wesley College and is building upon that presence in the area. Since parking is an issue for the programs of Wesley College to be effective, then parking lots would be considered rather than homes. It is not felt that any of the parking lots for Wesley College would deter the efforts of the DCP.
Mr. Ruane questioned the relationship between the House of Pride and DCP. Ms. Sebastian-Hauer stated that the DCP will not approach the House of Pride until a plan has been developed in which the House of Pride could invest in the home-ownership initiative. DCP realizes that there is a heavy presence of the House of Pride, owning 13 homes in the area, some of which are boarded (condemned). Mr. Ruane encouraged the DCP to involve the House of Pride as soon as possible.
In keeping with the visual aspects of the area, Mr. Galvin requested the DCP to encourage 2-story homes rather than ranch style homes.
Mr. Ruane moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 12:57 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
John W. Pitts
Chairman
JWP/jg
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