Central Park neighborhood plans sign

The Central Park Neighborhood Association June 18 agreed to ask residents to vote on the official name for their area at the next scheduled meeting July 16.

The decision was made after Edwin Custer, a member of the Sign Committee, reviewed two bids for a sign. Custer said the $1,550 to $5,065 cost of the physical structure did not include landscaping or maintenance.

The proposed sign would be placed at the northeast corner of Third Street and Chavez Drive. Both proposed signs read, “Welcome to Central Park of the East Village.”

“Why do we need a sign?” asked Diana Goodell. “It’s just another opportunity for vandalism.”

President Jerry Rule explained that the sign would give official recognition to the neighborhood and provide an identity for the group when dealing with the city for grant money.

Vice President Greg Brown said that the official name was a sensitive issue because some people favor the name “Central Park” and others “East Village.” Having both names on the sign may be confusing, he said.

Tobias Lerke, a UM-Flint student, told the group that he would like to get students involved in the sign project and raise money for it.

Member Tom Doyle agreed to be liaison to the student group.

In other matters, Rule distributed a document for members to review that included 11 assets in the neighborhood and 24 improvements and accomplishments made by the group.

He said he will be meeting with people from the Land Bank about a “Neighborhood Master Plan.”

He also said that member Ingrid Halling and he are working with the Neighborhood Stabilization Group about federal stimulus money coming into Flint.