Neighborhood being revitalized under REA Leadership!
MAYOR REA TOUTS NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS; SAYS HE’S BEST CHOICE FOR MISHAWAKA MAYOR
Mayor Jeff Rea today released information about why he believes he is the best choice for Mishawaka Mayor. Rea cited his experience working on neighborhood revitalization as an important factor.
Mayor Rea commented “All candidates talk of improving neighborhoods. We are actually doing it. We have a real plan that is making a real difference in our neighborhoods. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far and look forward to continuing to implement our plan for improving neighborhoods. I’m excited about the work my team and I have done and the difference we are making in Mishawaka neighborhoods. Our work though has only started, and I am hoping for an opportunity to build upon the successes we’ve had these first four years.”
Rea added “There is no one single solution to solving neighborhood issues. Instead, it requires a comprehensive plan that deals with a number of factors. I believe I am the only candidate with that plan. It includes:
· First Time Homebuyer Program
Homebuyers have an opportunity to purchase homes through our Redevelopment Department. These homes are on properties that in most cases the City has purchased and cleaned up. The Homebuyer program helps Mishawaka citizens enjoy the American Dream of homeownership, while also increasing the number of owner occupied homes in a neighborhood. Homeownership is an important part of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Neighborhood Code Enforcement
Mayor Rea has revamped our Code Enforcement Department, making it more responsive to our citizens. Our staff has worked closely with neighbors and homeowners on solving problems. The cross training of employees has helped the City deal with more sub-standard housing cases. New technology has helped the department better track code cases. Compliance agreements have led to problems being solved quicker. The enforcement of the City codes is an important part of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Police Department Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET)
Police Officers are assigned to a specific neighborhood in our NET Program. There, they get to know neighbors, and especially get to know the problems in a neighborhood, leading to quicker solutions. Our NET Team leads our neighborhood watch program, and regularly attends neighborhood meetings to make sure neighbors are aware what is happening in their neighborhood. Police Officers working one-on-one with neighbors is an important part of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Home Rehabilitation Program
The City operates a Home Rehabilitation Program, which has helped Mishawaka Homeowners rehabilitate more than 700 homes. The programs offer four different loans, and are based on the ability of the homeowner to re-pay. Through the program, City staff develops a workload with the homeowner, receives bids, oversees the rehabilitation, and pays the contractor. The program has helped people who might not have been otherwise able to rehabilitate their homes and is an important part of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Street Paving program
Each summer, the City invests in Mishawaka neighborhoods through our summer street paving program. About 130 blocks are paved annually. Curb appeal is vital to a strong neighborhood, and quality infrastructure is an important part of why people make decisions to invest in a neighborhood. The work we do paving Mishawaka streets is an important part of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Curb/Sidewalk/Alley Paving Program
The City makes available to its citizens a program where the City will split costs with homeowners for curb, sidewalk, and alley improvements. Again, these improvements help the curb appeal in a neighborhood, and help people make decisions about investing in a neighborhood. This program is an important part our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Neighborhood Improvement Team
Monthly, city employees from a variety of city departments meet to discuss problem neighborhood issues or properties. This coordination has helped us solve problems that have existed for many years. It also has helped us develop new programs or ordinances to solve neighborhood issues. The Neighborhood Improvement Team is an important part our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Vacant House Initiative
Vacant houses can have a detrimental affect on neighborhoods. Our vacant house initiative has worked to make sure that does not happen. Our vacant house issue is manageable, and we want to make sure it remains that way so we started the vacant house initiative. Code Officers, in conjunction with Mishawaka Utilities, work on identifying vacant houses, their owners, and the cause of the vacancy. This puts the City in a position in some cases to work with a lending institution or property owner on repairs, or in some cases the City to purchase the property. For example, in the last few years, the City has taken ownership of two homes through this initiative, for the cost of $1 each. One was demolished and a new home was constructed on the property. One was rehabilitated and a new family has purchased the home. The vacant house initiative is an important piece of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Elimination of Slum/Blighted Properties
The City has acquired or condemned a number of slum or blighted properties in the community. Most of those have been torn down to make way for new construction. For example, the old Art Den commercial property on Lincolnway was torn down to make way for two new homes. Two homes at Cedar/Grove were torn down to make way for one new home. Four homes on E. Fourth Street were torn down to make way for three new homes. An old junk yard was removed on Borley Street to make way for 14 new single family home. The city can not purchase every problem property, but the purchase and redevelopment of many of them have led to major neighborhood revitalization and have been an important part of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Annual Neighborhood Fair
Neighbors’ gathering with neighbors is a key component of strong and successful neighborhoods. Three years ago, the City started conducting an annual Neighborhood Fair, intended to help bring neighbors together to meet other neighbors. Each year, the City and local public service agencies conduct the event in one of our neighborhood parks. Our annual Neighborhood Fair has become and important component of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Neighborhood Watch Program
For neighborhoods to be successful, our residents must feel safe. Our Police Department does a great job of watching for trouble in neighborhoods and of solving problems in the neighborhoods. With the help of residents, they can do even more. In an effort to involve the neighbors, the Police Department has coordinated the City Neighborhood Watch Program in 31 different neighborhoods throughout the City. Neighborhood Watch Groups meet regularly to talk about problems, and find solutions for problem neighborhood properties. Our Neighborhood Watch Program is a vital component of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Park Improvement Program
An important part of our neighborhoods is our neighborhood parks. Each year we take a close look at where we can make improvements to the programming or activities available to resident in those parks. Upgrades like new playgrounds, splash-pads, walking trails, restrooms, and picnic pavilions have helped us to make sure our neighborhood parks remain places where families can gather. Our wok in the parks is an important part of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
· Economic Development
For our neighborhoods to remain strong, the residents of those neighborhoods must have good job opportunities so that they can afford the maintenance and upkeep of their homes. Four years of record new construction, major expansions at places like Nyloncraft, Jamil Packaging, B&B Molders, Culture Systems, and Bayer; and new businesses like Thyssen-Krupp, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, and Schurz Communications/WSBT have helped provide those job opportunities for our citizens. Growing our economy, creating economic growth, and creating and environment that is conducive to new job opportunities will continue to be a top priority, and are an important part of our neighborhood revitalization strategy.
Rea added “This next legislative session is a critical one for Mishawaka Neighborhoods. I remain hopeful that our State Legislators will take the steps necessary to provide long-term property tax relief for our homeowners. That will make a big difference for out citizens. In addition, I would like for our legislators to consider a tax phase in for improvements people make to their homes. Under the current system, there is a disincentive to invest in your property, as the reward is often higher taxes. Residents tell me the tax assessor is often there before the final building inspection. Two years ago, the legislators recognized this disincentive was happening in businesses, and provided a phase-in for taxes on businesses making new capital investment. My hope is something similar can happen with homeowners, and I intend to be an advocate for that in the next legislative session.”
Rea concluded “I believe our efforts are making a difference in Mishawaka neighborhoods. We still have work to do, and working together with our neighborhood leaders and residents, we will build a great community and make sure Mishawaka neighborhoods remain places where our residents want to live, recreate, and retire.”
Paid for and authorized by the Jeff Rea for Mayor Committee
P.O. Box 861
Mishawaka, IN 46546-0861
(574) 255-5081
e-mail: reaformayor@aol.com