Stimulus funds, student renters topics

President Jerry Rule said Pierson Street does not look as nice as the rest of the neighborhood and suggested stimulus funds be sought for a "Pierson Street Project" to demolish vacant properties on the street.

Rule said that the association had sought funds for neighborhood improvement in the past, but the funds had not yet been released.

Edwin Custer asked about the status of the vacant house at 606 Crapo St. Secretary Diana Goodell said that it had been purchased by Gavilanes Properties in Tranquility, N.J. Members unanimously approved sending a letter to the owner to express their concerns about the state of the property.

Rule said the UM-Flint chancellor had expressed an interest in placing incoming students into community rental properties. Rule said he was interested in new renters, but he was concerned the area could become overloaded with students. He said he did not want the neighborhood to become a "college ghetto."

Vice President Greg Brown discussed traffic signal issues, several blind spots on northbound and southbound Chavez Drive and opening Third Street to two-way traffic. The group decided that returning Third Street to two-way was too dangerous for children that have gotten used to playing in the street.

Custer suggested that the association create a Facebook page to communicate between meetings. Cade Surface said that a custom web site would be more appealing to potential renters, but that a Facebook page would be more economical. Custer, Surface and Rule agreed to look into the idea.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Court Street Village Neighborhood House, 727 East St.