City pushes community upgrades
Neighborhoods Program leaders bringing grants, cooperation to table
Eugene Mulero
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 10, 2006 12:00 AM
In the year since taking over Chandler's Neighborhoods Program division, Stefanie Garcia and Judy Ramos have registered nearly 250 neighborhoods, coordinated dozens of block parties and revamped the city's neighborhoods matching grants system.
But as they prepare to meet next Wednesday with residents along North Oregon Street, a community just north of Ray Road that is splitting a $1.2 million revitalization grant, Garcia and Ramos will continue to push the issue of revitalizing the city's older neighborhoods.
As Chandler prepares to enter a new phase of downtown redevelopment, which calls for multi-housing luxury mid-rise condos along south Arizona Avenue, the stakes have never been higher for helping neighborhoods downtown with a smooth transition.
''Our main goal is to help residents live in the best communities possible,'' Garcia said. ''Whatever we can do to help them, we will do that.''
Last month, Garcia, Ramos and members of the city's Neighbors In Action team heard from Park Manor residents - the other community splitting the grant. After taking note of what people want changed in their neighborhoods, the city plans to begin spending the money later this fall to meet those demands.
Garcia and Ramos were hired last summer, succeeding Crystal Prentice, who went on to manage St. Charles, Minn. Their supervisor, Brian Bosshardt, who is Chandler's mayor and City Council assistant, has praised their impact. Members of the city's Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) and key community activists also have said they appreciate the attentiveness from Garcia and Ramos.
Frank Torres is a NAC member who lives in the downtown Silk Stocking neighborhood district.
''They are good at bringing neighbors together,'' Torres said. ''With their help we were able to have a block party and more attention from the city.''
Before starting their current positions, Ramos worked for Chandler's Planning and Development Department and Garcia came from Mesa, where she also oversaw support for neighborhoods. Soon after they began meeting with the public, it became evident they would be the face of the city's new drive to connect with its old and new neighborhoods.
Garcia said they visit a couple of different traditional neighborhood and homeowner's associations meetings every week. They also show people how to uplink their neighborhood information on the Web and start meeting. Challenges occur when they meet residents frustrated with their neighbors or the city.
This was evident in an Amberwood North community meeting last fall. The neighborhood, north of Warner Road on Arizona Avenue, had residents who complained about barking dogs and trash dumping in their alleyways. After several follow-up visits, residents have begun to unite.
''The neighborhood is no longer without a name,'' said Amberwood North's Judith Garner, in the neighborhood's most recent newsletter. ''Since November 2005, our community has worked to develop an identity within Chandler that is attracting attention from our city officials, and other neighborhoods within the city as well.''
Ramos said she wants to take the momentum her department has gained in connecting with residents at events like Chandler's Congress of Neighborhoods and Gilbert's Leadership Centre's meetings, and continue helping downtown residents achieve a smooth transition in the city's pending redevelopment for the area.
By Stephanie Marie
Neighborhoods Program leaders bringing grants, cooperation to table
Eugene Mulero
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 10, 2006 12:00 AM
In the year since taking over Chandler's Neighborhoods Program division, Stefanie Garcia and Judy Ramos have registered nearly 250 neighborhoods, coordinated dozens of block parties and revamped the city's neighborhoods matching grants system.
But as they prepare to meet next Wednesday with residents along North Oregon Street, a community just north of Ray Road that is splitting a $1.2 million revitalization grant, Garcia and Ramos will continue to push the issue of revitalizing the city's older neighborhoods.
As Chandler prepares to enter a new phase of downtown redevelopment, which calls for multi-housing luxury mid-rise condos along south Arizona Avenue, the stakes have never been higher for helping neighborhoods downtown with a smooth transition.
''Our main goal is to help residents live in the best communities possible,'' Garcia said. ''Whatever we can do to help them, we will do that.''
Last month, Garcia, Ramos and members of the city's Neighbors In Action team heard from Park Manor residents - the other community splitting the grant. After taking note of what people want changed in their neighborhoods, the city plans to begin spending the money later this fall to meet those demands.
Garcia and Ramos were hired last summer, succeeding Crystal Prentice, who went on to manage St. Charles, Minn. Their supervisor, Brian Bosshardt, who is Chandler's mayor and City Council assistant, has praised their impact. Members of the city's Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) and key community activists also have said they appreciate the attentiveness from Garcia and Ramos.
Frank Torres is a NAC member who lives in the downtown Silk Stocking neighborhood district.
''They are good at bringing neighbors together,'' Torres said. ''With their help we were able to have a block party and more attention from the city.''
Before starting their current positions, Ramos worked for Chandler's Planning and Development Department and Garcia came from Mesa, where she also oversaw support for neighborhoods. Soon after they began meeting with the public, it became evident they would be the face of the city's new drive to connect with its old and new neighborhoods.
Garcia said they visit a couple of different traditional neighborhood and homeowner's associations meetings every week. They also show people how to uplink their neighborhood information on the Web and start meeting. Challenges occur when they meet residents frustrated with their neighbors or the city.
This was evident in an Amberwood North community meeting last fall. The neighborhood, north of Warner Road on Arizona Avenue, had residents who complained about barking dogs and trash dumping in their alleyways. After several follow-up visits, residents have begun to unite.
''The neighborhood is no longer without a name,'' said Amberwood North's Judith Garner, in the neighborhood's most recent newsletter. ''Since November 2005, our community has worked to develop an identity within Chandler that is attracting attention from our city officials, and other neighborhoods within the city as well.''
Ramos said she wants to take the momentum her department has gained in connecting with residents at events like Chandler's Congress of Neighborhoods and Gilbert's Leadership Centre's meetings, and continue helping downtown residents achieve a smooth transition in the city's pending redevelopment for the area.
By Stephanie Marie
