Group discusses Alternatives House, its committee system, tree planting

The Central Park Neighborhood Association Oct. 13 discussed the UM-Flint Alternatives House, standing committees to deal with day-to-day problems and the tree planting program. It also heard about Genesee County Land Bank properties and discussed a program to provide training for emergencies.

President Jerry Rule distributed Fun Architecture's written plan on the UM-Flint Urban Alternatives House on Eddy Street. The property does not have to be rezoned as was earlier thought because the proposed three apartments are allowed as a legal non-conforming use (it was legal before the property was rezoned and the use was not abandoned).

The plan calls for visitor parking on Eddy and Crapo streets, solar panels on the roof, rain barrels, a rain garden, classroom space, a fitness circuit area and a community garden.

"Construction is scheduled to begin before the snow falls," Rule said.

Rule said the group is meeting its goal of forming standing committees to deal with day-to-day problems.

"Our 2012 goals will allow these newly formed committees to tackle safety, beautification and blight," he said.

This will allow the president to coordinate projects with other community organizations and investors, Rule said.

Vice President Edwin Custer said the tree planting was successfully completed. He said the group should consider applying for a grant to remove stumps on parkways and for new trees next year.

"There are about 10 stumps that need to be removed before we replant," Custer said.

Raynetta Speed, Genesee County Land Bank, answered questions about how members can get information about properties in the area owned by the land bank. Speed distributed information on rehabilitated homes for sale by the land bank ranging from $300 to $700 a month.

"These rehabilitated homes add value to their neighborhoods," Speed said.

She also said that people who want to buy vacant properties adjacent to their homes should contact the land bank.

Sgt. Lloyd Nicholson, Mott Community College Public Safety, talked about a new community education initiative, the Community College Citizen Preparedness Program (3CP2). President George Bush officially launched this program in 2002 to involve citizens in emergency preparedness. People are asked take responsibility for their personal safety during emergencies and to support local emergency responders, disaster relief and community safety. Volunteers are needed to staff community response teams in coordination with Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Residents would learn how to prepare for natural, technological, manmade and terrorism disasters in the proposed two-hour training session. The training will take place at the MCC.

Nicholson said he was inviting Fairfield Village Neighborhood Council and the College Cultural Neighborhood Association members to join in the training.

Rule said he would discuss the training with the other groups and come up with a mutually acceptable date for the training.

Ingrid Halling nominated Rule for president and Custer for vice president for 2012. The motion was passed unanimously. Elections will be held at the November meeting.

The group also approved purchase of five new outdoor yard signs advertising its monthly meetings.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Court Street Village Neighborhood House, 727 East St.