September 2024 Community Meeting

Type of meeting: 
Community
Meeting date: 
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Status: 
Approved

20 attendees last meeting, need 14 for quorum

Attendees:

Bill Reuter
Dana Coyne
Greg Laub
Kayla Dawson
Lillie Hyman
Sharon Reuter
Nicole Dungee
Paul Rubensen
Gerri Salley
Julie Milstein
Julia Lebherz
Julia Dumont
Michael Dumont
Jim Quigley
Paige Kelly
Billy Hufnell
John Ishibashi
Marycella Dunlaw
Olivia Miller
Caroline Lara
Maia Tatinclaux
Syrus Razvani
Deb O'Neil

We have quorum.

 

The meeting began by acknowledging the loss of our friend and neighbor Bobby Goodfellow. Nicole listed the many ways that Bobby participated in and contributed to our community. The gala was a huge success and raised over $2000 for the RDA thanks to Bobby’s efforts. If anyone is interested in donating to Bobby’s son, Henry’s college fund, contact Nicole at president@ridgelysdelight.org

Bobby will be greatly missed.

  1. Ben – one of the developers of the oyster house.

    1. Goal is to redevelop property while leaning into the historical aspect of the warehouse – wans the community to support them

    2. Have filed applications for CHAP, state, and federal tax credits. The property is listed for sale again which is needed for these tax credit applications. They do not intent to sell the property.

    3. Expecting to start construction in November or December.

    4. Existing property is a shell and unsafe with collapsing roof.

    5. Will have 7 2-BR units, 1 studio, 1 3-BR unit

    6. Working with neighbor to try and buy that property which is a 3 unit apartment building and 6 parking spaces.

    7. Working on getting parking variance so getting additional spaces from the neighboring property is important

    8. Provided contact info – can call if issues with contractors or security of property. 

    9. Neighbors need to understand that there will be construction and mess/noise that accompanies that.

    10. Once final plans are ready and submitted to ARC, the developers will be looking for letter of support from the community for the parking variance.

    11. Community question about where dumpster will be going and how construction traffic will go – need partner’s input, but likely on Fremont. Another question is trash disposal – will be a dumpster contracted through the City which will be by the garage entrance on Penn Street. Need to work with the City about access of trash truck to empty dumpster

    12. Question – what precautions are being taken to protect residents from lead and asbestos abatement? There is nothing left inside the building – it’s a brick shell so no hazardous materials that we know of at this time.

    13. Question – what are the plans for the neighboring building if that purchase goes through? Keep the tenants in place, but use the 3 empty spots for the new building.

    14. Question – what is the cost of these apartments? Will be mid-range pricing compared with Pratt street apartments and the Zenith.

    15. Question for BPD – what’s the plan to secure the area during construction to deter burglars? Once there is power, will get a security system – BPD suggests that they get cameras and register them with BPD.

    16. Construction hours – generally 8:30-4:30.

    17. Question about having construction updates on the website – need developer to provide to Bill electronically so he can post.

    18. Comment – the condos on Washington were a similar situation and the end result is much better than having the boarded up building.

    19. Community comment – belief is that a building with over 6 apartments, they don’t qualify for street parking in Zone 5.

 

  1. Shelly Smith from Office of Emergency Management – under fire department

    1. Like a local FEMA

    2. Have materials for having home emergency kits, knowing egress from homes and area, etc..

    3. Will share a powerpoint that can be posted to the website

    4. Cards for 211 – state resources, 311 – city non-emergency resources, 911 – emergency services 

 

  1. Major Bennett of Southern District

    1. Concerned with violence in the southern district

    2. Homicides and non-fatal shootings are down over the last 2 years

    3. RD stats – 2 burglaries in the last month – only crimes

    4. Year to date crime is down 26% over all

    5. Community comment – traffic enforcement needs to happen

    6. Citywatch program – opt-into BPD database that let’s them know you have a camera so they can contact you and ask for camera footage

    7. You can call or text 911 – there was an issue with a break-in on Penn and Melvin where the 911 dispatcher did not connect the victim to the police

 

  1. Mural update – will be starting in the next couple of weeks – will be at the Russell Street overpass. 

 

  1. Public comment –

    1. Pigtown festival is September 28th – they are looking for volunteers! If you want to volunteer go to the website

    2. The Stoop (where Zeke’s was) grand opening is 9/21 – currently open with limited hours

    3. Quigley’s ½ irish pub – wants to shut down Emory between Melvin and Portland during playoffs (assuming O’s go to playoffs) – before and during the games. Will be music. Community voted in favor of providing a letter of support for Jim to the City in support of closing off this part of the street.