Central Park discusses federal funds, Richert Manor, city budget

Central Park Neighborhood Association Feb. 11 discussed NSP2 funds, Richert Manor and the city budget deficit.

City Administrator Greg Eason told the group that Central Park will be one of the neighborhoods included in the federal NSP2 funds (Neighborhood Stabilization Program). Central Park was not listed in the Flint Journal article, he said, because the article was printed before negotiations were complete.

Eason explained the Department of Housing and Urban Development is sending stimulus money through Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The Land Bank and city administration will agree how to spend the money to maintain neighborhoods through rehabilitation and demolition of abandoned and foreclosed properties. Rehabilitation of houses will help restore the neighborhood and leveling unrepairable homes will replace blight with green space.

Eason said some money will go to Land Bank and some to city. Most acquisition of property will be to the Land Bank and demolition will be done by the city.

Central Park will have some demolitions and some rehabs, Eason said.

Ingrid Halling asked if there would be an increase in the city's demolition staff or if the work will be outsourced.

"Before the city can outsource there must be an agreement with the unions to do so," Eason said.

The city will be taking on more demolition staff and buying new equipment, he added.

Vice President Edwin Custer asked when demolition will begin, saying he was concerned there would be a bottleneck at City Hall and it will be two years before houses come down.

Eason said the city and Land Bank must sit down with neighborhood associations and review plans. Some demolitions will be immediate, and some later, he said.

Eason complimented the group on an "exemplary job of maintaining a community."

"The city is committed to working with the neighborhood associations," Eason said.

The group discussed Richert Manor. Brent Jaworski was concerned recent car break-ins in the parking lots of Parkview Manor and Court Street Village were committed by Richert Manor tenants. Jaworski said he understood there isn't a manager on site. Eason said he believed there is, but will meet with Richert Manor management to discuss these issues.

Councilman Dale Weighill (7th Ward) said safety is still a concern and his dialogues with Mayor Dayne Walling are continuing. He said he hoped policemen and firemen would not be on the city's chopping block.

"We're dangerously low on public safety officers as it is," he said.

The group will next meet at 7 p.m. March 11 at 727 East St.