It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
a beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?…
It’s a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
a neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?…
I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.
The aforementioned are from the theme lyrics to Mister. Roger’s Neighborhood a popular children’s show dedicated to teaching pre school fundamentals. In every opening Mister Roger’s would don his trademark sweater and talk about life, Life in the neighborhood.
After the announcement of the Mayors’ new housing initiative there were those who thought it was a move in the right direction however those who inhabit some of the cities most challenged neighborhoods are responding with dismay.
Syracuse United Neighbors a neighborhood community advocacy group staged a spirited protest on the steps of Syracuse’s City Hall against the seemingly endless list of dilapidated abandoned structures.
Mayor Driscoll’s plan to allow developers to provide proposals for residential development on two dozen properties seized by the city is hailed as being positive by some and too- little by many personally affected by the proliferation of abandoned houses.
Beverly and Al Edwards of the Westside appeared on television to tell the public about the impact these vacant houses have on the quality of life on their street. The Edward’s like many southside and near-westside residents were lured into purchasing their homes in city neighborhoods only to have quality of life deteriorate as buildings masquerading as houses sit unattended in some cases for over a decade.
Syracuse United Neighbors has scheduled a meeting with the community to discuss the Mayors’ proposal and vacant property demolition policies in Syracuse.
The Meeting on April 28t At 7 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church 1515 Midland Avenue in an ironic twist directly across the street from six vacant boarded up properties.
According to Phil Prehn, Senior staff Organizer at SUN, “In the beginning of the Driscoll Administration there was some movement on the issue.”
Prehn continues, ” Even if they have a good idea they don’t hold people accountable they don’t follow through. One of the questions presented will be the cities process in determining whether a house is to be demolished. The first meeting is about demolition, can they explain funding. Why there is no line item for demolitions? The proposals put through by the may are too little too late his proposal will deal with 60 homes over a two year period and that’s not enough. ”
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For additional information call SUN at 476-7475
