Held in the Weinland Park behind Weinland Park Elementary
6:00, Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Present: Resident co-chairs Laura Bidwa and Matt Adair; Residents Roger Beebe, Tyler Bender, Jim Dowdle, Danielle Garson, John Gifford, Laura Kogan (civic association mobility committee chair), Tanya Long (civic association president), Jonathan Lucyshyn, Donna Madlener, Holly Moritz, Chris Moritz, Michael Nelligan, Julia Orban, James Peltier, Jody Poth, Leslie Rummel, Anna Sanyal, Julie Sims, Samantha Tortora (civic association secretary), Ian Warmbrodt
Introductions.
Everyone briefly introduced themselves.
Brief updates.
— Campus Partners-held doubles sold at 1424-1424 1/2 N 4th St and 1243-1245 N 6th St: Laura Bidwa contacted Campus Partners to see if the buyer of these properties had been informed regarding the neighborhood’s desire for them to be renovated and sold as condos. Erin Prosser said the realtor had been informed, but she had not been directly involved with the sale and didn’t know if the buyer had been told. A WP resident said last month she’d talked to a crew
— Redevelopment of former D&J Carryout at SW corner of N 4th and E 8th: Since this committee has been following the fate of this property for years, Laura Bidwa passed along that at the July WPCCA monthly membership meeting, news was shared that early discussions are occurring regarding Zora’s House moving from its current location to a new building on this site. Everyone now seems to believe the former D&J building will be demolished, although CPO hasn’t confirmed this with WPCCA Housing Committee. Laura Bidwa pointed out that, like the now-gone companions of the doubles just discussed, the D&J building was held vacant for years without any attention being paid to its obvious need for roof repairs that would have prevented eventual demolition by neglect. Julie Orban recalled discussion last year that CPO offices might be placed in this building; she hopes this use would still be considered so CPO neighbors could access CPO staff without having to travel to the East Side, especially since CPO no longer has any staff at Godman Guild. Laura Kogan wondered if laundry facilities could be part of the new building, since CPO units have no washer/drier hookups and there are no longer any laundromats close to WP. Laura Bidwa said she would pass along these concerns to Chad Ketler of CPO.
— 54SID (new special improvement district along N 4th and E 5th—the WP portion runs along E 5th from the NE corner of N 4th almost to High St): Laura Bidwa has started talking with Caitlynn Dunn of the Short North Alliance and Steve Bollinger of Thrive regarding neighborhood concerns that “safety” is perceived very differently by White and Black neighbors, and thus the safety-related services that may be provided in this SID will at best not be welcoming to our Black neighbors. Referred to the map created by Kirwan Institute in 2016 that showed mirror-image areas of WP considered “unsafe” by White and Black residents in neighborhood survey—in which Black neighbors felt unsafe in every newly developed part of Weinland Park and White residents felt unsafe in areas where Black neighbors live. Caitlynn said WP could have a seat on the 54SID board if we can find a property owner willing to allow a neighborhood representative to serve as their proxy. Caitlynn said that she will continue to present at every Italian Village Society meeting; no plans have been made for presentations to WP. Donna Madlener suggested that Mark Wagenbrenner could be asked to present to WP. Julie Orban remembered a collaboration with the University District Organization some years ago in which a WP neighbor was hired to serve as a community connector and litter picker-upper along High St, which went well – she suggested that it would be desirable if the new SID would commit to hiring people from WP.
— Joyce Hughes Park (new park being built on east side of Grant Ave at E 6th): Laura Bidwa shared that Thrive is gathering design feedback, and a new ad hoc committee to discuss rules and activities for the park will be forming in late August/early September. Laura Kogan said she’d like to see a Little Free Library in the park. The NCA (group that controls money for the park) will vote on final plans at end of August.
Q&A: Any new issues/items/projects we should be following?
Q: This is my first meeting in WP but I wanted to know what people think about AirBNBs. Because to me it is fucking annoying but I don’t want to have to call police.
A: Look at the presentation Rob Dorans gave at June WPCCA general membership meeting; recording available at weinlandparkcivic.org. Contact him directly if still have questions. Questioner said she knows Rob Dorans personally and will contact him.
Q: Can something be done about the polluted site at 3M?
A: There’s a cap on it, so it’s safe to walk on now and pollution shouldn’t be spreading, but it will be redeveloped soon by Thrive – presentation to come at this committee’s September meeting (Tues Sept 1).
Q: What’s happening with the former Kelly’s carryout at NW corner of N 4th and E 11th?
A: Campus Partners sold it to North Steppe…so that will likely sit vacant since North Steppe has never done development.
Q: Have we heard anything from the land trust people about the new houses planned for WP?
A: Not since May, when the word was that the pandemic has been really hard on their progress and all the stuff in WP is going to take a lot longer. We’ll ask for an update for Sept mtg.