I think most of us agree that we'd like to live in a neighborhood which is friendly, safe, and clean. There are other qualities which could be added, including buildings which are well-kept and aesthetically attractive. For the last quality mentioned, the Building Inspection Unit has its place, among other responsibilities, in the functioning of the city.

Because of neighbors' persistent complaints about certain areas of the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood, I've been consulting and working with the Housing section of the Department of Planning and Development. As a result of that effort, the housing section is currently testing new language for use in issuing official notices requiring the correction of code violations in rental property. The expectation is that by tightening the language used to write an order, the department will be in a better position to refuse to accept poor quality, unsightly repairs. We'll know better by this summer if possible changes in the language can help to improve chronic problem areas.

Linda Grubb, Neighborhood Preservation Supervisor, is also planning on targeting some problem areas, using the same inspection criteria that is used for the fraternity inspection program. In this fraternity program, all buildings are inspected the first year. The second year only those buildings having had significant violations the first year are inspected. The inspections continue yearly for problem buildings until the number of housing violations found falls to an acceptable level.

Obviously, this is only one example of a broader citywide issue, one which affects many neighborhoods across Madison. Decent housing is a basic need and right and there are many ways to look and address different aspects of it. There's more work that can be done in this area and I'm in the process of looking further. I welcome any input you might have as well. You can contact me at district2@ci.madison.wi.us or 249-8428.

-Alder Barbara Vedder