Group discusses alternatives house, denying access to runs

The Central Park Neighborhood Association meeting Jan. 12 discussed progress on the UM-Flint Alternatives House, plans for more improvements on low-income, owner-occupied residences and a petition to deny the YMCA access to Central Park streets for their 5K runs.

President Jerry Rule told the group he has toured the UM-Flint Alternatives House recently and found that the asbestos abatement process was done. The estimated completion date for the project is in August.

Rule also told members about Christmas in Action, an organization that provides volunteers to work together with community members to preserve and revitalize houses to ensure that low-income elderly and disabled homeowners live in warmth, safety and independence.

Christmas in Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that has successfully used the idea of neighbor helping neighbor in Genesee County by working with several communities to repair the homes of low-income or disabled homeowners.

The group discussed several properties that may be eligible for revitalization. Rule will contact the organization.

Dawn Fleetwood asked members to sign a petition calling for the emergency financial manager to deny the YMCA's application for street closures in the Central Park area for their 5K Santa Run and others runs (excluding the CRIM) until it meets certain guidelines.

The guidelines call for the YMCA to inform Central Park residents of any street closures eight days in advance of events; to follow traffic engineers' directions to not close down an entire neighborhood as has been the case in previous runs; and for an agent of the YMCA to meet with the neighborhood to discuss any fundraising events in the neighborhood.

Fleetwood claimed the Santa Run netted over $20,000, but caused a major disruption in the neighborhood because homeowners living in cul-de-sac areas were stranded for a considerable period of time. She thought a small monetary compensation for the use of the neighborhood streets would be fair.

Court Street Village Nonprofit (CSVNP) Director Norma Sain reported that the group's neighborhood plan is outdated. She said she will work with individual committee members to update it.

Sain also reported that the house at 606 Crapo being rehabilitated — a partnership between CSVNP, the city of Flint and the Genesee County Land Bank — is still on schedule after some concerns with the city's involvement. Recently, Flint's Emergency Financial Manager Mike Brown confirmed the city's commitment to the project using previously designated federal Home funds.

Vice President Edwin Custer reported the November crime statistics show nine incidents in the Central Park area out of the 180 incidents reported in Ward 7. Custer said that the incidents included home burglaries, vehicle larcenies and miscellaneous aggravated assaults.

"Overall there is no pattern to the incidents," Custer said. "They appear to be a few random acts."

Nick Letterman, safety committee chairman, reported he is working with the College Cultural Neighborhood Association Crime Watch to see if a nearby vacant commercial building could house both group's watch patrols.

Residents were concerned that the youth curfew is not being enforced by police. Letterman told the group he has notified parents when he finds children out after curfew.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at 727 East Street.