On Neighborhood Decline
Always Right in Lowell writes:
Kristin: Another question… With the renewal of the acre, it seems like lower belvidere has declined faster than the acre has progressed. Shaughnessy terrace and the acre were dumped into lower belvidere and centralville What are your plans to invigorate lower belvidere?
It is my belief that while the Acre and Shaughnessy have been infused with serious investment, this has caused the displacement of many into other neighborhoods, even up here in Pawtucketville. With that come social issues such as increased crime, less investment in infrastructure and even less investment in property upkeep.
I think that there are a few existing resources we need to draw on, when we look at revitalizing these neighborhoods which have seen a significant disinvestment over many years.
First, these neighborhoods need to be safe. On any given day, just about any neighborhood in the City of Lowell can be brought down by a “few bad apples”. The good majority of folks who live in the neighborhoods you referenced are good, hardworking, law abiding individuals and families. If we want to keep these folks living in the City of Lowell, they need to feel safe. Or they will move out of the City the first chance they get. The Lowell Police has lately been successful in quieting troubled neighborhoods; in particular, with regard to gang activity in certain areas of the City. A portion of the funds utilized to provide for these initiatives came out of federal grants. One could argue that funds designated for urban revitalization go hand in hand with public safety initiatives.
Also, much of the housing stock in the areas you had referenced is rental properties, owned by out of town or absentee landlords. They collect their rent, pay their taxes and never look back. Inspectional Services, the Health Department and the Police Department has and can make a great deal of headway across the City in making the landlords more accountable to making the necessary repairs, general upkeep and the illegal activity that occurs on their properties, so that they are well kept and safe to live in.
Thirdly, the streets, sidewalks and parks need investment. Streets, so that cars may pass safely, sidewalks so that children may walk to school safely, and parks for families to recreate. This element feeds directly into the safe streets issue.
In revitalizing these neighborhoods, or any neighborhood for that matter, there is a lot of work on the front end. However, in the long run, the residents are much more invested and begin to care when they see that their government is taking care of their basic needs. We wind up with less crime, we have a sustainable, long term investment in the infrastructure and property values rise. It is also important to note that the Lower Highlands is also in desperate need of attention. Community participation is not easy to engage. As a resident, a neighbor and hopefully one of your next City Councilors, I feel that it is incumbent upon government and residents across the City, to get involved and work to make the Lowell, the best that it can be.