Minutes of the Old Market Place Neighborhood Association

23 September 2002 General Membership Meeting

Attendance:

• Members; Fay Stephenson, Troy Davis, Robert Sommerfeldt, Ilse Hecht, Rudy Hecht, Lee Christensen, Mark Schlei, Pat Brenz, James Roper, Erik Minton, Jason Grelier, Matt Meier, Gail Selk
• Nonmembers; Jerry Bridgman, Eric Fleming, Jack Garver

Introductions.

Announcements

There will be a meeting on phase one of the East Washington Ave. Reconstruction on 8 October 2002 at a place to be announced.  This will be the last opportunity to have input on the first phase of the project.

• Treasurer’s Report: Ilsa Hecht made a suggestion we again donate $50.00 to the Salvation Army in appreciation of use of their space for our meeting.  It was so moved, seconded and passed unanimously.
• Garden Committee:  it is time to clean the beds for winter.  If you have time to work on this contact Ilse Hecht.  Tools and other materials will be provided.
• Alder Report:  Demolition of 314 E. Mifflin has been approved to prepare for the relocation of 27 N. Butler.
  • The police department is holding meeting to set priorities for different areas of the city.  There will be one meeting per district. 
  • Capital budget is out.  There will be one million dollars for the rehab of Breese Stevens Field.  There will be a public meeting for input on the rehab. 
  • The formal Alder East Wash. Reconstruction Committee will hold its first meeting 24 September 2002

Discussion of possible options in developing a neighborhood plan.  Applications for grants are due October first.  There are 97 houses in the historic registry that was created.  We might want to create a conservation district.  This is supposed to be more flexible than a historic district.  Need to look into what has been done and what needs to be done.  Neighborhood plans run about $25,000.00.  Motion made and passed to form a committee to work on this and send a letter of interest from the association.  Ilse volunteered to act as chair of the committee and a sign up sheet was passed around.

Discussion of 640 and 646 E. Gorham to current tenants.  There was a presentation of the current condition of the buildings.  The Matt Meyer and Gail Selk would like to purchase the property from the city and make the necessary corrections and improvements.  They are looking for our support to do so.  From their talks with the city, it is estimated deferred maintenance would cost $250,000.00 and to fix everything would run around $400,000.00.  They are not looking to have the property restored to the pre-park dimensions. They are willing to have deed restrictions applied to the property.  There were several questions to the legality of the city selling the property to specific individuals.  The usual course of events is for the city to declare the property excess and then advertise for bids.  To declare the property excess all city agencies would have to declare no interest in the property for any use.  A motion was made and passed for the individuals involved to meet with Brenda Konkel, Warren Kinney, and Jim Morgan to see what could be worked out before the October meeting.

Discussion of development options at 428 N. Livingston Street.  Basicly the plan for development has not changed since we last saw the project.  Eric Fleming is looking to take up the project where he left it before.  The $750,000.00 property is in poor condition.  Many comments were made.

Meeting was adjourned.

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