Comments on: Cherokee ComeUnity Hub: Says Who?

By: alive in our hearts

alive in our hearts — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:28:15 +0000

Oh, you mean you didn’t notice all the improvements Alderman Ortman made to the lot this summer and fall

By: Concerned Neighbor

Concerned Neighbor — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:59:57 +0000

*What is the status of this worthy project?

By: Pam Wucher

Pam Wucher — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:34:55 +0000

Doug, What association are you with? The Hub Team would love to collaborate further with other associations. I am also a member of my neighborhoods board. Many of the residents involved in this project have either been involved with their neighborhood association at some point, still are or have been involved in the revitalization of this community in some capacity for some time, be it community gardens, community programming, community art, business owners along Cherokee…etc. There are so many ways we can all be involved and developing good relationships with surrounding neighbor associations is key to stay in touch with all residents. The Cherokee district and its surrounding neighborhoods are filled with diverse personalities. We aren’t all going to agree with each other, however we all need to step to the middle, collaborate and yes even compromise at times. The hub team would welcome any and all involvement from those that are interested and even those that are skeptical…in fact if some of those that are in disagreement would join us at our next meeting and let us know what issues concern them we can all address them together and find solutions that will truly make this plaza something that will enhance the Cherokee area for everyone, including the BPW neighbors that do not currently feel comfortable walking down Cherokee- this project is for everyone and in keeping with Incarnate Words mission for this project…it is about building relationships…The Hub Plaza can bring together the most unlikely pairings…it already is, lets continue together.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:38:45 +0000

That is just one quote, there were many more out there, and this has been going on longer than the ComeUnity Hub project has been around.

By: max

max — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:18:27 +0000

“Most of the neighborhood residents in BPW don’t go down to Cherokee street because they don’t agree with what’s happening or not happening in that stretch.”
by Bill Byrd Benton Park West President

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:46:35 +0000

So have any of you thought about stepping up and getting involved and maybe running for an office in the neighborhood association? I am on the board in my neighborhood and being on the neighborhood association is a lot of work and energy. I hate to see the comments about Byrd, he is just the President of the association. He most likely didn’t even vote. I know in my association the President can’t vote…So why is this all about him and not the neighborhood association board?

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:30:07 +0000

Virginia,
If you feel that way about Bill Byrd you might be surprised to hear some of his comments regarding this lot, and the community in general.

By: scott

scott — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:59:31 +0000

the letters from the “leadership” are embarrassing.the progress in my neighbohood that i’ve seen has come from grass-roots residents and business owners on cherokee only. we support forward creative thinkers like Ms. Scott.

By: Virginia Gilbert

Virginia Gilbert — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:11:37 +0000

I was at the Benton Park West Association meeting where Lyndsey presented the HUB proposal. I do not recall the leadership (that is, Bill Byrd) preventing discussion. In fact, I recall a lively discussion, with many positive comments.
But that was in March, and we missed the April meeting, so I may be behind in my impressions. I am surprised at Bill’s opposition, and I am dismayed at the belligerent letter from the woman in the Gravois neighborhood association.
What a flaming!
So, OK. Lets all chill, people.
Whoever was proposing a mediation is right on. Did that happen yet?
I see part of the dynamic here is about grant money, which is always in short supply. I am reminded of a pithy saying from an old Texas pol: “When the feed gets low the horses start biting each other.”
Lets not bite each other.
You need your aldermen’s support. And they need your vote. It’s going to take more than enthusiasm and a good Power Point presentation to get the political support you need for this project. Calling people names — even those who write snarky insulting letters — isn’t going to help. (on either side). Slow down, breathe. And those people who have cooler heads and good political savvy, rise up and start repairing bridges. (I’m going to call Bill Byrd today. He seems to me to have the welfare of the entire region at heart.)
Peace,
Va.

By: Ben West

Ben West — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:24:11 +0000

Also, to quote a blurb from the history of the 6th and B gardens…

http://www.6bgarden.org/6BGardenBriefHistory.pdf

“In 1985, a new, more serious challenge loomed. The garden lies on City land taken from former owners
in lieu of back taxes. The City held that the land should be sold at auction to the highest bidder. Arguing that housing was the highest and best use of the land, the City administration hatched a scheme to
sell the site to high-end housing developers. The plan was officially adopted by the Community Board,
backed by some housing advocates who took the short-sighted view that the land’s potential value in a
resurgent housing market should be captured to fund low-income housing construction.

An aroused garden membership drew up an outreach program to steer the interest of the housing lobby away from this valuable and vital, much needed green space. They threw open the gates of the garden, holding their first annual Corn Roast and Harvest Festival, invited members of the local clergy and an Onondaga Chief to come bless the land, and unveiled a stunning garden trellis by a local sculptor.
Alliances were made with a local garden coalition and community planners. An events committee was formed to tap the skills of the many artist members, who staged programs of crafts, horticultural/science
workshops, slide shows, multicultural festivals, and performances from around the world. The events program, now in its seventeenth year, runs all summer, featuring over 75 free events annually,
drawing thousands of visitors. In addition, three preschool centers joined the garden; garden members
developed an environmental curriculum to teach the children gardening and nature principles and skills.