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In the Meantime…
Like you Mikey, I’d love to see brick and mortar going up tomorrow on the east side of the river the way it is going up on the west side, but I am convinced that the wheels are in motion for that to happen. In the meantime, perhaps EW could learn from it’s neighbors in NW. Check out the article below on Waco Community Development
Coming together
By Walker Moore
Hope: it sustains humanity. Yet there are places where hope goes to die. For years, Parkside Village has been one of those places. Drug dealers controlled public spaces and law-abiding citizens hid in their apartments, afraid to take a stand because of fear of the all-too-real threat of retaliation. Yet, in the midst of this dreadful situation, hope is emerging.
It all started in summer 2007 when a small group of women decided that they had had enough. They came together to take a stand against the drug dealers and substandard housing. They did this knowing full well they were putting their lives and their families’ lives in danger. In the midst of this threat, they persevered and shut down a “crack house”, advocated for and received better lighting, and helped organize a school supply giveaway. Sadly, this residents’ council dissolved, but these women would not be denied in their pursuit of justice.
Determination Prohibits Failure
These women began attending Brook Oaks Neighborhood Association (BONA) meetings and shared the Parkside Village story with association members, neighborhood churches, community non-profits, schools, Waco Police Department (Waco PD), and our city councilman. Their stories galvanized these groups to take action. What started as a small group of women became a coalition of neighborhood organizations committed to bringing safety to Parkside Village.
Then American Housing Foundation (AHF), the owners of Parkside Village, came forward and said that they too were sick and tired of the situation. At the March BONA meeting, the air was cleared and the foundation for a new tomorrow was laid. AHF apologized for past mismanagement and presented a compelling vision for the future. They also reported on the their recent improvements to the property, including improved lighting, cameras to monitor drug hot spots, painting, guard rails, and new kitchen cabinets. In turn, the coalition presented a set of expectations and target dates that AHF willingly accepted. Waco PD talked about AHF’s efforts to join the Crime Free Multi-Housing program, a program that significantly reduces crime in certified apartment communities, and AHF committed to having Parkside Village fully certified as a Crime Free Multi-Housing community in the coming months. Finally, churches and non-profits discussed ways to use their resources to support positive changes at Parkside Village. Truly, hope was emerging.
After the meeting, one of the Parkside Village residents beamed with hope. She had been at the first residents’ council meeting and had continued to work for a better Parkside Village. In the midst of adversity, she had persevered, and now she saw the fruit of her work. She simply could not contain her contagious smile as she recalled the journey that had led her to this point.
Still Work to Do
Crime is still all too frequent. Parents are still scared for their children’s safety, but there is hope. The problems remain, but for the first time, there is progress towards a solution. The journey will not be easy, but this group of women and their neighborhood partners, will not stop until Parkside Village is a place anyone can call home and of which Waco can be proud.
About Us
Waco Community Development Corporation was established in 2001 a Christian-based organization committed to promoting housing, economic, and community development throughout Waco.
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By mikey
May 16, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Oh by the way has anyone read the Tribs. “Search for the next Baylor President”? There you will see Waco’s “Old Money” movers and shakers of the community in a desperate attempt to influence the Baylor Regents choice of a new President. Seems as if it is working. Did you notice the Students were told to “sit down”? Did you notice Editor Sanchez has his nose in the mix? Now the old money can say “we have minorities backing us” If he crosses them they will cut that brown nose off quickly and Mr. Sanchez will be sent packing to his new assignment. Oh, How many black men and women are involved in this process? I would think blacks should be involved in Baylor politics if this brotherly love equality thing is true. What about the other minorities? Korean, Chinese, Indian, Russian, French, Czech, German, Italian, Native Africans, Ect. Ect. I don’t see them involved either but their kids darn sure go to school there. If minorities are good enough to go to school here, spend money here, and be recruited to ascend Baylor sports programs to national prominence shouldn’t they be given an opportunity to LEAD or be instrumental in choosing that leadership also? Waco’s “Old Money” will not have that.
By mikey
May 21, 2009 7:37 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
FROM OUR MAN DOWNTOWN BLOG; Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment |
Comments By mikey
May 21, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
The town of Natchitoches Louisiana has the muddiest darkest looking river you ever saw running through it. But people there have built boat docks, business’s, water fountains ect. on it. Many boats were churning up the coffee brown water. An older historic part of the town overlooks the river. The water makes the Brazos look like a Caribbean beach but the people make the most of it and seem to be having a ball. We just happened to cruise into that part town by accident but my, my, it was a most charming little place. I was very much impressed by the towns attitude for historical restoration and preservation. Waco could learn much from this little town in Louisiana.
By j.b. smith
May 21, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Out of curiosity I looked at Natchitoches’ Wikipedia page, and from the looks of their festival schedule, it’s a nonstop party there. A town one-tenth our size, with twice the festivals. Including one for their legendary meat pies.
By mikey
May 21, 2009 7:33 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
From the Wikipedia website: In the 1970s, Natchitoches experienced an economic downturn that resulted in a sixty-five percent vacancy in the commercial district. However, because of efforts to revitalize the city, vacancy is now around one percent. All this in a little town of less than 18,000! This is a perfect example of the “little engine that could”. Instead of sending our council and chamber members to other cities, and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on studies, we need to send them to Louisiana for lessons in how to revitalize a city. Take everybody on one of those new-fangled city buses that everyone is so proud of. Its only a 1/2 days drive. (Hope it dont catch fire).
By Carol Dugat
May 24, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I had a opportunity to visit Natchitoches during the Christmas season a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, I got there just before they turned the lights off around the bridge and river area, but it was certainly something to see. I understand it draws thousands of tourists every year. Indeed, there is something to be learned from them.
By seeker of truth
May 28, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Is is true that some one person has bought up most of the property along Elm? Is this owner just a speculator or an actual investor in the future of Waco?
By mikey
May 28, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Regardless of being a speculator or investor. This man is uncovering past discrimination/neglect and is demanding that attention and funds be brought to the east side if the river that are rightfully due. Yes, he expects to, and is entitled to make a profit on his business decisions. This is free enterprise. Mr. Brown, I don’t care whether he is white, black, blue, green, or whatever should be commended for his stance. Lets work with him and see what he brings to the table. Development and prosperity of this area is long long overdue to let the momentum slow down because of personal differences. Just think of the many JOBS that this development may bring. They may not be professional incomes, but their are NO incomes to be had there now.
By seeker of truth
June 1, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Mikey, Yeah, being a free-market kind of guy, I see what you’re saying. This dude is stepping up putting his money where his mouth is, he gets the profit if he can cut through all the BS and get results. If profit, rather than social activism, is his motive, then so be it.
By mikey
June 2, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I was wondering why no progress had been made on the Peach St. Firestation. No contract has been awarded to a contractor. It didnt take much of a contract to knock buildings down and level the land did it? More city footdragging. Almost 12 million is to be spent to repave the runway at their little old two bit airport but then a businessman must bring on a lawsuit to get the city to spent 25 cents in East Waco. Even Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles could see something is wrong with that picture. Also a movement has been started to relocate the Freedom Fountain to the west side of the river, and put it where? theres not much room left because of all the memorials, statues, fountains artwork, trees, amphitheater. Bring the fountain to the east side, aint squat over here besides an old Apache P/U with a big catfish in it. I would like to see the Freedom Fountain moved to MLK Park, a statue of Rev. Dr. King nearby and a huge flagpole like the one at Ft. Fisher with a giagantic American flag flying on it. That would be an attention getter. People would exit the Interstate just to come see the flag. The City would have to endorse development in East Waco then just to save face if for no other reason. Thats what I would like to see. (Just to start with).
By Toni Herbert
June 4, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Two things: First, I mentioned Nachitoches La. in something I wrote to the Plan Commission chair and the city manager several days ago. I was comparing the potential of Downtown Waco East to that of Nachitoches. I’m gratified to see that so many others have made the same connection. Hold that thought.
Second, the contract for the Peach St. fire station (as well as two other fire station contracts) was approved at the council meeting on June 2nd. It’s to our advantage to have multi-million dollar contracts go through a methodical, consistent process. If I thought there was any foot-dragging, I’d say so.
By mikey
June 5, 2009 7:53 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Ah, Ms. Herbert. Glad to see you. Your own district faces many of the same problems that EW faces. You as a former city staffer probably know more about CBDG funds and blighting problems than anyone else here. I often comment on the west side of the river as not caring about the east side but I must revise that description to mean the west side south of Columbus Ave. The north side from Columbus onward is just as bad off as EW. I appreciate your concern for EW as well as your own district. We are 1 city aren’t we? Its time the rest of the council and city staff realizes that a rough diamond exists in EW and NW and needs to be cut and polished.
By Fred
June 7, 2009 4:19 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
The City of Waco has decided NOT to open the Oscar DuConge swimming pool in East Waco. Once again (much like GL Wiley School) backs are turned on the children of East Waco. Who will speak up for the children of East Waco?
By mikey
June 8, 2009 12:36 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I wonder what Brother Austin had to say about the pool? Not a cotton picking thing I’ll bet. (shufflin-n-grinnin like a good BOY should) Now instead of hundreds of children out of school happily swimming, they will be out on the streets, and in homes unsupervised as both parents work or are out of pocket doing “other things”. I suppose we can look for the birth rate to go up next January and February. Thank you City of Waco, you really dont give anybody on the East or North Side a snowball’s chance do you? Come to think of it even the South Side doesnt have a pool. But what about the two bit city water park? Them white kids can zip right down Lakeshore Dr. and be right there. Many minorities cant afford the cost of taking a family to that pool anyway.
By Toni Herbert
June 9, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Hi Mikey and Frank and other civic activists and observers. Here’s what I’ve been told about the East Waco pool situation: 1) Use of the old pool was VERY low—probably because it didn’t have any jazzy extras. 2)The existing pool is in such bad shape—primarily due to age—that repair would have been prohibitively expensive. Instead, the DuConge pool will be converted (using some grant funds and some local match)into a free spray park with a new playground and restrooms. Also, to make up for the loss of the pool, the CoW has contracted with the Doris Miller YMCA to let kids swim both indoors and outdoors for $2 a day (water park fees are $4 and $6).
I don’t know whether the arrangement with the Y will last past this year, whether it includes adults, and whether the spray park will be built this summer—my guess is that it won’t be ready until next summer.
I wish I had news this good for my constituents in District 4. The Brookview Neighborhood reminded me again Saturday that they REALLY want a spray park. Anyway, I’m happy for the folks in District 1. Onward and upward.
By Carol Dugat
June 10, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Thanks Toni for your interest in EW and for keeping us posted.