How will investing $1 to $2M in the Bricks, and renting them out to low income families, help this desperate neighborhood? Just take a look at all of these boarded up properties and one damaged by recent fire. What is happening with them? If the City is so willing to spend money on cleaning up the Bricks why is it not cleaning up this neighborhood. Don't these houses still have owners? I bet the owners cannot afford to fix them up and rent them because of the neighborhood? Who would want to live in this neighborhood?
Remember this blight is on top of having a police substation across the street, a boarding house 2 blocks over on Railroad Ave, and all the prostitution and drugs in the vicinity. And while I was taking pictures a group of young thugs were gathering on the street flashing what I believe to be gang signs.
The Mayor and others know for a fact none of you are traveling through these neighborhoods to see just how stupid investing all this money into this property is. That's why they only show you ONE property and neglect to show you the rest. Now you know the neighborhood. Now you know it can't be saved. Will YOU allow the City to throw away tax dollars to rebuild the Bricks?
How must more damage can she cause over the next 3 months?
56 comments:
the first house was a fire 4 nights ago. 2 families displaced.
but to answer your question, no i would not spend 2 million dollars in the neighbor hood.
Joe, Couldn't the city take that kind of money and truly provide many more NEW homes for the less fortunate?
I believe it's one of those "use it or lose it" programs. The State is willing to give out this money for such programs but you have to use it or you'll lose it. It's very similar to the State offering to buy up green space for a County Park. If they don't find land within a certain period of time, Wicomico County loses those millions and believe it or not it will go to another County elsewhere in the State. I believe they could find other pproperties, LIKE THE DOWNTOWN PLAZA they could reinvest into. I'd need to see the guidelines to this money first though.
For 2 million dollars you can buy at least 10 houses in that neighborhood, demo them, and sell the lots to people who will build nicer homes. That would sky rocket the prices in the neighborhood.
Well if it's use it or lose it, with the funds just going to some other community than Salisbury - we need to make the best of it and use the $2M rehab to bring pressure on the City to clean up the rest of this neighborhood. Where are these building owners??
That green house looks so tight.
Hey, it's our All American City! Is that application still kicking around--Barrie wants it so bad.
Can anyone update us that--last I heard they went to Florida to see how to win.
Joe:
Thanks for spotlighting this government waste that will soon be hugely increased with the Obamanomics stimulus subsidies.
The notion -- "if we don't waste it another town or county will" -- is absurd and needs to be stopped right now.
And with "the Bricks" scheme there's the further objection that it will induce people, probably with young children, to live in a dangerous neighborhood -- please post some pics of the people that hang out there.
Adding more people to the area and not having a fair balance of police, schools and fire protection is the root of most the the cities problems. It has been shown that good money (say 2 million) thrown into one project will just give a nice building in a bad neighborhood. I think it is better to do a few good pieces in one are than one real good piece and place it in a dump. Yes the mayor is off once again on this point.
The use it loose it has been around for a long time. Airforce bases have to burn up fuel or they won't get the same amount next quarter. It is this kind of waste that is destroying America.
If there were money invested in this area it would make the most sense to organize some type of by laws for living there. Such as if you are convicted of a felony crime you must move. Only people on the lease for the apartment/rowhome whatever are permitted to stay at the location for more than 2 consecutive nights. The yard must be maintained, if the police are called to a certain persons residence more than 3 times they are out. Just throwing some ideas around, but if the money is dedicated to this area it seems regulations such as those would help to curb thugs from moving in. Of course there would have to be community involvement to be sure the regulations were being enforced and to catch violators. Sometimes to get the bad out the towns need to invest in the good people. So if there were homes built and the low income people moving in understood there were restrictions and they would be booted it would help sway away from the bad ones.
Also if there were some type of incentive for the good ones who want to get the bad ones out of the existing area give them some type of assurance that their information will not be recorded so they know they are safe from backlash from the criminals. Sometimes it is as simple as making people feel safe to get them to speak out. Not everyone that lives in low income areas are punks and thugs. Some people are in a bad situation, whether it be fixed income, lay offs, or divorce. You can't judge everyone but a select fews actions. All I am saying is don't discard the good because of the bad, rather encourage the good in order to influence the bad. Not all people will change, but some people will begin to see there is others ways in this world to make a change for the better.
Utter bull crap !!!!
some of them are TILGHMAN properties???
I understand that the city yard is going to be making some changes in there yard, New buildings, new garage, aquired property next door, Where is that money coming from and when does it start. I remember seing something about changes some time ago in that yard that did not happen because i understand the city took the money and put it somewhere else. They used the yard project as a excuse to get the money then spent it in other ways. Is this what might be happening again with the bricks?
Wasnt the city yard also taking over the old fire department training center on Isabella st? Could that not be surplused and sold to bring some revenue back to the city?
Is Pittsville fire department really going to buy the worn out ladder truck from Salisbury Fire Department? Throwing good money to a bad investment isnt it?
All of the apartments in The Bricks are tiny one bedroom units.
If, as they say, the objective is to have people waiting for Habitat Housing living in these, it doesn't seem plausible. Most, if not all, Habitat houses go to families. There isn't enough room in the apartments at The Bricks for a couple to live in, much less a family.
Get real about the possibility of success with this project. There isn't much of a chance.
BTW, the talk has been about restoring this building. If basic housing is the objective, it CAN certainly be done for a great deal less than "restoring" will cost.
This isn't the time for something like this. This isn't the administration that can be trusted to oversee it. AND, sometimes there are worse things than losing a grant that must be added to or matched with local funds. Free money almost never is.
cleaning that neighborhood up is just going to give the drug dealers , prositutes a better place to live...why should we give them a better place to live when they will just ruin it and bring it down again...Joe you missed the spot where they wrote on the side of the building saying "crack city" maybe we could use the money to clean up another part of the city..or maybe build a nice inhouse rehab for the druggies ..that would serve them better.
Take the first million and tear down the Bricks plus the next 20 properties.
Take the second million and offer it up to pay 1/3 to 1/2 of the construction costs for duplexes or single family homes.
This makes the occupant a homeowner with pride, who will be more likely to take proper care.
How many times have the townhouses on booth st. been redone?
I would be willing to bet that a lot of these homes are owned by slumlords that accept housing choice vouchers. (Vouchers used to be known as "section 8".)
In other words these homes are probably already approved low income housing.
Why doesn't the city require these properties to be kept up?
Just whose backs are being scratches with all of this?
Run 'em down, buy 'em cheap, rent 'em out and be paid by the government for people to live there. What a deal.
Turn this building into a community services property that would benefit the residents of the area.
A computer/educational center for the children comes to mind.
There are so many better uses for that much money and this building in this neighborhood.
A novel idea would be to poll the residents and see what they feel would most benefit their community.
No means no , it is a fact that over the years when money goes to build low rent or low housing ,
the place goes back to a slum area. Don't throw good money down the drain!!
Look at some of the low rentals and decide!! I believe they should do away with all of the so called
low rent etc.. It just a housing project for the drugs and prostitutes.
Yes , lets build better houses for the slums and drug lords!
Some of the houses on that street have been redone many times int eh past several years. Then they are rented out to people who dont give a damn about anything. It hurts me to look at the state of the houses now. I agree with the other poster. Demo these houses. Leave the land flat. When another house is destroyed...demo it also. Soon you will have the entire street flat. Maybe the mayor will be able to see the drug dealers and prostitutes on a street with nothing on it. Doubt it though. Soon...all the trash will be gone. Then come back and sell the land to people who give a damn adn want to make a new start in a neighborhood of people just lie them...wnating a new start. Maybe then the neighborhood will be nicer. But for now...1-2 mill on that neighborhood is stupid.
dogg
Please support the effort to stop "the Bricks" nonsense before it gets off the ground.
Here's who to contact:
Cindy Stone, Director
Office of Community Programs
Maryland Dept. of Housing
and Community Development
100 Community Place
Crownsville MD 21032
Ms. Stone can be reached at 410/514-7256 or via e-mail at stonec@mdhousing.org
It's beyond my comprehension that we have citizens, and city official, not wanting to beautify their surroundings. Where do these people come from? What is their culture? Beyond ME!!
By the way, this won't get printed. I don't belong here.
11;57 I see you.
"If the City is so willing to spend money on cleaning up the Bricks why is it not cleaning up this neighborhood"
The code compliance office that was Lynn Cathcarts brainchild never inspects properties anymore because the slumlords are friends of barrie and bubba. They were told to back off and let them do as they please.
Anon 10:08 AM have you lost your freakin mind? What a bunch of crock. Tell those bums to get a job and by their own homes.
Anonymous said...
It's beyond my comprehension that we have citizens, and city official, not wanting to beautify their surroundings. Where do these people come from? What is their culture? Beyond ME!!
By the way, this won't get printed. I don't belong here.
11:57 AM
It is called WASTE you stupid irresponsible moron!!
The Dulaney Avenue area is almost as bad in Fruitland--how about some of that taxpayer money for us ?
Here's a novel idea: Put your money where your mouths are.
All you people whining about the government having to come in and clean up this mess, go buy the properties that are for sale in that neighborhood. Some of them are pretty cheap. Fix them up and resell them, or, *gasp* live in them yourselves!
Then the government won't have to stick their noses in, and the neighborhood will get cleaned up. It has been proven, time and again, that the more homes are owner-occupied, the better the neighborhood is.
Oh, but wait...then what would you have to complain about?
It makes me SICK to see all you people sitting there mouthing off about that part of the city, while doing NOTHING to improve the situation.
How do you think the city got into the whole big mess it is in? By people sitting back complaining but not willing to get involved.
what? no picture of the "Bricks Brothel"???
There's that Habitat for Humanity connection again! Hmmmm.
I'm telling you, there IS something there. I know for a fact there is but am no longer able to get to the information.
Look at Tilghman then look at the Directors for Habitat and then go from there. You'll be able to put it all together in no time.
Speaking of the City code compliance office, how come they aren't all over these slummy houses, yet ARE all over the simple stuff like trash receptacles and moss growing on siding. Stevenson and his people have more important work to do than harass regular law abiding citizens. Or so you'd think.
Houses like this can be found in most neighborhoods around the CITY. Church St. just has more than most. There is a burned out house across from SPD HQ that burned in 2005. It sits today as it did that night of the fire. Why is it still standing ? The Bricks are a Palace compared to the homes shown. At least it isn't burned out. YET !
Picture three is a house that suffered severe fire damage in June of 2006. The owner tore off the porch and rear addition. He had begun fixing the roof when he was stopped. This home was beyond repair and should have been demolished ASAP. It sat for many months and is still standing today. WHY ?
Among all of the houses on that section of E. Isabella that you show in the pictures lives a homeowner who has kept her house up to code. She has been a longtime resident of that area and doesn't want to move from the building that has been her home for so many years.
Rehabbing "The Bricks" is a wonderful idea. It would surely be the centerpiece for other rehabilitated homes in the area. Maybe some of you readers ought to think outside the box. Try to visualize "The Bricks" (aka Richardson Apartment House, 1912) in it former condition. Wouldn't that give impetus to other homeowners to fix up their houses so that the lady I cited above would be able to exist with other concerned homeowners. Slum or almost-slum areas can certainly be cleaned up. Let's start with "The Bricks."
Thanks for your points Anon 4:40, I would like to add that if the mayor likes it so much and has much vested in this property, then maybe she should move in...she would be a perfect fit for the neighborhood.
It being winter, the city's code compliance force doesn't have to spend time on grass growing in sidewalks, so what don't they make the owners either fix those buildings or demolish them?
Poor property management is a big reason for the neighborhoods decline.Don't get me started on HUD vouchers.Its easier to move the moon across the sky than it is to get bad apples out of subsidized housing.
1:58 what are you thinking?!
what have these homeowners done, it's their responsibility, not mine!!!!
If the information shared here is accurate, the Bricks would house 6-8 one bedroom apartments at a cost of $2 million dollars. That's $250,000 per one bedroom apartment that's not even suitable for a couple it's so small. Tell me how THAT is justified in any neighborhood. I can promise you if this were proposed for my neighborhood, I would stand just as firm against it. I certainly hope the state is smart enough to award this grant money to a city/county that has a legitimate plan to help blighted neighborhoods, because the Bricks project is nothing more than a scam.
That being said, this is not a done deal. We still have a chance to make sure this waste of taxpayer dollars doesn't happen. Contact:
Cindy Stone, Director
Office of Community Programs
Maryland Dept. of Housing
and Community Development
100 Community Place
Crownsville MD 21032
Ms. Stone can be reached at 410/514-7256 or via e-mail at stonec@mdhousing.org
If Salisbury can't find an appropriate and fiscally responsible way to spend this money, let some other city/county have it!
I think it is atrocious that these vacant houses are just sitting there- someone already said it- people are more likely to take pride in their home when it is something to be proud of. And, with the homeless situation being what it is, and the economy being what it is, it seems that these houses should be rehabbed so that people in need have an option.
It makes me angry to read people's perception of what type of person lives in low income housing- many of them are hardworking citizens who can't afford to live anywhere else. It's single moms, and single dads, and elderly people on fixed incomes. Crime takes root in those communities because we as a society write off the working class neighborhoods as not worthy of the same protections we would demand in our neighborhoods (and I readily admit that there are some areas of Salisbury that I would never live in voluntarily- because I admittedly view these neighborhoods as low income and unstable- and yes- unsafe).
I think people would be surprised to know just how much landlords rent allegedly "low income" housing for- and many don't do repairs or appropriate upkeep.
If we continue down this path, we are going to find that many families occupy a home meant for single family occupancy- people won't have many options to pick from, and they certainly won't be able to afford it on the salaries in this area.
I don't know if this is the best use of this money or not- but I don't think we should petition against it- I think there is a way to use this money in a fiscally responsible way that will improve Salisbury. If the government is going to give the money to Salisbury, then why shouldn't we come up with a plan to use it effectively???
And- the use it or lose it aspect is right. I know for a fact that funding is cut if not all the allotted money is spent in any given fiscal year. I don't agree with that, but sometimes you just have to work with the parameters you've been given.
This city is NASTY. It is nothing but a ghetto. What do you suppose travelers are thinking when they stop at stop lights on Rt. 13? I bet they check to make sure their doors are looked. Much of Rt. 13 especially near downtown looks just like those areas. Salisbury is a Ghetto and it is very embarrassing.
Barry G said...
Take the first million and tear down the Bricks plus the next 20 properties.
Take the second million and offer it up to pay 1/3 to 1/2 of the construction costs for duplexes or single family homes.
This makes the occupant a homeowner with pride, who will be more likely to take proper care.
11:08 AM
Barry, I must disagree with you. Duplexes and apartment complexes are the biggest problem in this city. Multi-family housing is a breeding ground for slum lords and rentals. Rentals breed crime. We need to change the zoning and make the lots much bigger and have responsible housing developements. Did you forget this city is 80% rental.
I hate to say this, but Barrie Tilgman isn't entirely the blame. Smaller properties and rentals began years ago. Barries just allowed the rental problem to escalate due to developers being in her and Matt's pockets.
The best thing this city can do is to change the zoning and put a moratorium on developement until we get this rental epidemic under control.
Can someone please answer this question.
How many big developers or slumlords live within the city limits?
I wrote to Cindy Stone. Did my part. Waiting on the rest of you. This is a sin gainst Salisbury.
Anonymous said...
It being winter, the city's code compliance force doesn't have to spend time on grass growing in sidewalks, so what don't they make the owners either fix those buildings or demolish them?
4:56 PM
Because they are sitting in the office playing computer games so they can save fuel.
7:35...if there were "homeowners" in the sense that we use the word, we wouldn't be having this discussion. Unfortunately, there are only one or two "homeowners" per street over there.
My street was pretty bad until a bunch of us bought houses and started fixing them up.
Some of you people just don't get it do you? Honestly are all of you rich beyond your means so if you and/or your spouse was laid off and could not find another position making approximately the same pay you would be set for life? I am seriously doubting it. There are people just like you and I who are forced into low income housing. Someone did make a valid point, low income housing isnt always cheap. What the heck is it going to take to make people see that you have to make an effort to HELP people not bash them while they are down.
Do you all feel that the majority of people living in these areas want to be there? If you do you are wrong! You know why these younger kids join gangs and get into crime? Because no one gave a damn what happened to them that's why. Maybe their parents are drug addicts and maybe their parents are crooks but you know what you can't give up on them, because that just breeds more ignorance and crime.
Start a community center for after school programs and drug intervention programs. Do something that will benefit the children at the very least. I don't understand when society became so self absorbed and so full of themselves because just a few unexpected turns in life could have nearly all of you flat on your butts saying, "how'd this happen to me".
Dang it open your eyes and see that there are people who want to have more in life, but every time they try someone slams a door in their face. Get off your butts and make a difference for the sake of your community! It is THAT simple.
To invest money into a building that will not make a change is stupid, but if you change the attitude toward the people then maybe just maybe you are saving a 13 yr old from shooting someone or a 15 year old from living on the streets because he has a drug addiction. Maybe your kind heart will allow a 16 year old girl to have a safe place to go so she isn't selling herself for $20 to buy food for her younger siblings or her own child. jesus people look at yourselves and really evaluate how screwed up some parts of your own lives are.
947,
You didn't read my post. I said fund 1/3, and make people buy and become homeowners. I also said duplex and single family.
Sometimes, if you read all the words, you get other peoples' viewpoints instead of assuming your own...
10:25 you are so absolutely right!
And yes, some of the tenants along with the homeowners are there because they are out of choices.
And yes, we should do something to help them.
I don't think this blog is intended to trash hard working people just trying to get by, but rather if funding the Bricks makes sense and is it the best use for these funds.
Why spend all the money on one property in such a run down neighborhood, rather than use those same funds to demolish or repair these houses through an organization like Habitat for Humanity.
At the estimated cost of $200,000/$250,000 per one-bedroom unit at the Bricks, the same number of properties could be restored or rebuilt in the community. And they could be single "family" homes that could help stabilize that area in a big way! Then maybe an investor would buy the Bricks and fix it rather than the other way around.
I don't see how overspending to fix up an old building is going to fix all of SBY society woes. Sure the families and elderly who are in need of low income housing should be provided for, but why would we put them in this place, when it has been the site of so much crime and so little progress.
Until such time as those who already own property in that neighborhood take charge and start toward a different result, nothing will change, no matter how much of whoevers money gets thrown at it. If the Bricks was the only blight on this street or in this immediate neighborhood, the possibility of this project being successful would be higher. As it stands, fixing it up, be it remodel or restore, won't change anything except raise the degree of frustration to the hardworking taxpayers who funded it.
Shannon:
We are not against this type of spending, but it must make sense -- there are many other homes and buildings that can be rehabbed more appropriately in all aspects. This "Bricks" proposal is nonsense and needs to be stopped in its tracks.
The runaway train called "the bricks" project...can it BE stopped at this point? Has there ever been a successful de-railing of something Barrie has wanted?
This is not even as big a boondoggle as the wastewater plant, which hasn't exactly worked out. Is there a chance to stop something this far advanced, or should we save our efforts to stop it, and use the energy to get a normal Mayor who actually has the good of the people as a goal, and not just getting her name put on a building or project as a legacy.
From here on out I'm going to call The Bricks "Tilghman Station".
Anon 7:27
I said: "To invest money into a building that will not make a change is stupid,"...I am not saying the money should go to rehab the "bricks". I am saying some of the comments related to this blog are just simple minded.
I have seen neighborhoods that have changed for the better. It is rare and it takes people outside that community getting involved, but it is very possible. My point was many people who have commented are just plain out being stupid to common sense. They are having a poke at people they know nothing about and would never take the time to get to know. Build a community center that doubles as a police satellite office. The police would be there to protect the people and the children would see there is still good to be found by them. Common sense is really all it takes to figure a solution to the problem.
You can't blame it all on "rental housing". Most of us people out here who are still renting are not trashing our homes or destroying neighborhoods.Blame it on "poor rental management".
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