Payne-Phalen District 5 Planning Council

Pioneer Press Article on D5 "We the People" Meeting

November 16th Community Meeting at John A Johnson Elementary

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Posted on Wed, Nov. 17, 2004



Kelly says city to try harder in Payne-Phalen

BY ROWENA VERGARA
Pioneer Press

Mayor Randy Kelly on Tuesday night promised aggressive code enforcement, a strict crackdown on negligent landlords and increased rehabilitation efforts to existing housing in the Payne Phalen District Five neighborhood.

Kelly made his promises during a community meeting with more than 200 residents and city officials.

Complaints in the neighborhood included garbage strewn in front yards, overgrown grass, and furniture, mattresses and refrigerators lying around alleys for weeks.

Many residents also questioned why the quality of life in Payne Phalen, a district that includes 31,000 people, is not equal to other neighborhoods in St. Paul and around the metro area.

"We deserve the same level of quality of life as Minnetonka or Woodbury," one resident said during the forum.

Resident Alex Gassel said he is concerned about a lack of commercial development around Payne Avenue, leading to loiterers who on numerous occasions have asked him for "change or cigarettes," he said.

Kelly described the lack of property maintenance prevalent mostly around Payne and Arcadia avenues as "shameful and unacceptable," adding that an inspector would "have to be blind not to see these kind of things."

While city officials said the problems have been ongoing, the East Side is also home to many recent changes and achievements, like the establishment of the YMCA, a $40 million investment to the neighborhood, said council member Dan Bostrom.

Council member Kathy Lantry said members are also pushing the city to budget for more police officers and for higher code enforcement.

In terms of weeding out nuisance properties, Andy Dawkins, the city's director of property improvement, has assisted in the eviction of two to three ownership properties each month.

Anthony Gardener is one resident who said he is not waiting on the city to create change — he's doing it himself. Gardener is planning to open a retail music shop to replace a bar on Payne and York avenues, he said.

"We got some good answers and I liked what Kelly had to say," said Kay Corcoran, an East Side resident.


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Rowena Vergara can be reached at rvergara@pioneerpress.com or 651-265-2491.





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© 2004 St. Paul Pioneer Press and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.twincities.com







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted on Wed, Nov. 17, 2004



Kelly says city to try harder in Payne-Phalen

BY ROWENA VERGARA
Pioneer Press

Mayor Randy Kelly on Tuesday night promised aggressive code enforcement, a strict crackdown on negligent landlords and increased rehabilitation efforts to existing housing in the Payne Phalen District Five neighborhood.

Kelly made his promises during a community meeting with more than 200 residents and city officials.

Complaints in the neighborhood included garbage strewn in front yards, overgrown grass, and furniture, mattresses and refrigerators lying around alleys for weeks.

Many residents also questioned why the quality of life in Payne Phalen, a district that includes 31,000 people, is not equal to other neighborhoods in St. Paul and around the metro area.

"We deserve the same level of quality of life as Minnetonka or Woodbury," one resident said during the forum.

Resident Alex Gassel said he is concerned about a lack of commercial development around Payne Avenue, leading to loiterers who on numerous occasions have asked him for "change or cigarettes," he said.

Kelly described the lack of property maintenance prevalent mostly around Payne and Arcadia avenues as "shameful and unacceptable," adding that an inspector would "have to be blind not to see these kind of things."

While city officials said the problems have been ongoing, the East Side is also home to many recent changes and achievements, like the establishment of the YMCA, a $40 million investment to the neighborhood, said council member Dan Bostrom.

Council member Kathy Lantry said members are also pushing the city to budget for more police officers and for higher code enforcement.

In terms of weeding out nuisance properties, Andy Dawkins, the city's director of property improvement, has assisted in the eviction of two to three ownership properties each month.

Anthony Gardener is one resident who said he is not waiting on the city to create change — he's doing it himself. Gardener is planning to open a retail music shop to replace a bar on Payne and York avenues, he said.

"We got some good answers and I liked what Kelly had to say," said Kay Corcoran, an East Side resident.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rowena Vergara can be reached at rvergara@pioneerpress.com or 651-265-2491.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© 2004 St. Paul Pioneer Press and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.twincities.com