Neighborhood Revitalization. I think and believe neighborhoods are very important to us. My responsibilities lie in downtown Jamestown but neighborhoods support our downtowns and our downtowns, in turn, support our neighborhoods - both entities are extremely important. With regard to neighborhoods, the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation is in support of the recently completed "czb Neighborhood Development Plan." This last Wednesday a meeting of the community was held at the Robert Jackson Center and it was extremely well-attended, which means, to me, community members, neighborhood members and community leaders are all interested in actively promoting changes in not only Jamestown entirely but also the Jamestown neighborhoods.
Now I have heard over and over that this neighborhood plan is just another plan and nothing will ever happen with this plan. I would like to remind everyone there are positive things actually happening in Jamestown. A couple of years ago the new Urban Design Plan for the City of Jamestown was completed and approved by City Council. A new corporation was formed through DJDC called the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation - the sole purpose of this entity was to implement the newly ratified Urban Design Plan. It has worked. The new Urban Design Plan is now being implemented in a very collaborative manner. This new neighborhood plan prepared by czb follows in the same footsteps of the blossoming Urban Design Plan - let's make Jamestown all it can be. We can do it.
I have read several letters written by "naysayers" and it would be my assumption they have not even looked at this plan. I would encourage everyone to read the actual plan. I not only found it informative but actually interesting. It is written by an author, Charles Buki, who has not only been here but visited every block and neighborhood in the city. He and his team have studied our community in great depth, while being extremely experienced in neighborhood strategies that really work. Before you dismiss this plan as undoable, honor all who have worked to improve Jamestown by taking the time to read the plan and to understand it.
Will neighborhood revitalization be easy - no. Have we had tough economic times - yes. Have we had declining property values - yes. Do we constantly hear about all the problems in Jamestown - yes. Well how do we fix all of this? First of all, we know we cannot fix the hard economic times and loss of jobs in a short period of time. Secondly, as I understand it, the city has the tools in place to work effectively in the neighborhood areas.
So what do residents do? Take a positive, "can-do" attitude and not be complacent about all of this - not just talk about it but really make an effort to improve your own property. Put even a small amount of money aside each month to repair and improve your property. Make small commitments to yourself and your property. Even if the tasks you pick are small - pick them and do them. Invest the small amount of money you have set aside to improve your property and neighborhoods. Schedule some of your own time to accomplish improvements. Lastly work with your neighbors to help improve your entire neighborhood. Make friends with your neighbors. If you do not know how to accomplish a certain task ask your neighbors for help. If you see a neighbor that is struggling offer and provide help so that the neighbor not only gets the task at hand done but learns how to do it.
We need to let our neighbors, community members and organizations, elected officials and government know we are serious about improving our community and neighborhoods. Other communities have done it. We need to forget about the problems of the past and the world around us. We need to lose the negative attitudes and develop a new pride in what we are doing and what direction we are headed. Let's pull together and together we will make a difference.
