Fairfield Village targets demolitions

Judy Hovey, chairperson of Fairfield Village Neighborhood Council's beautification committee, reported progress on the group's plan to revitalize their area at the Sept. 10 council meeting.

"By the end of the city's fiscal year we should see five blighted homes demolished," Hovey said.

The demolitions are 825, 909 and 934 Belmont St., 1117 Lapeer Rd. and 850 Eighth St. The committee also identified two homes that need rehabilitation — 1301 Lapeer Rd. and 804 Avon St.

"Our next step will be to develop revitalization strategies  — like what our approach should be to landlords who rent blighted properties or homeowners who are not able to maintain their homes," Hovey said.

Hovey, also a member of the city's master planning steering committee, updated members on the status of her work.

"This is going to be a two- or three-year process," Hovey said. "The committee is working on a roadmap to achieve our goals for the city. Fairfield Village is a wonderful size for a model community within our city," Hovey said.

Gary West, safety committee chair, discussed ways to lock crime out of your home. He compiled a handout sharing information from the National Crime Prevention Council and other sources, including the Flint Police web site, urging members to be observant and detail minded when crime occurs.

"People are very interested in crime prevention when we have a rash of break-ins, but when things slow down they tend to become less vigilant," West said.

President Andy Ellard asked for letters of support from members who had work done by the newly formed Fairfield Village Youth Task Force in order to secure additional funding for the group. He also asked for volunteers to do a sidewalk survey in the neighborhood to determine which sidewalk squares need to be replaced and submit it to Councilman Dale Weighill (Ward 7) and reminded members that they need to bag their leaves because the city will not pick up leaves this fall.

The group will meet next at 1 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Court Street Village Nonprofit Neighborhood House, 737 East St.