Thursday, September 6, 2012 - 11:16pm
Wilmington City Council backs West Side Revitalization plan
Updated Friday, September 7, 2012 - 12:22pm
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Wilmington City Council unanimously approves a resolution to support the West Side Revitalization Plan at Thursday's meeting.
WDEL's Tom Lehman reports:
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West End Neighborhood House director Paul Calistro says the non-financial endorsement is an important step for the program.
"It gives their community a competitive edge for limited resources that are available regionally and nationally," he says.
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Council Member Paul Ignudo sponsored the resolution and says its approval is important for those living in West Side neighborhoods.
"It's really truly a resident driven plan. It doesn't come from Council, it doesn't come from the administration, it comes from the people who put us into all of these chairs, and that deserves our consideration in my opinion, and our support," Ignudo says.
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He says program organizers seek to improve many aspects of the state's most densely populated neighborhoods, including recreational areas.
"I find it amazing that as you read this report, there's a third of an acre of park land in the Hilltop. For roughly 2000 people, there's a third of an acre, so something has to be done, and this plan looks at that," he says.
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The resolution doesn't provide financial support to the program, but Council Member Kevin Kelley says that shouldn't be a problem.
"Many aspects of the plan don't require money. They require people to be involved in the neighborhood and that's what you have to be first and foremost," Kelley says.
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Calistro says some state departments have already expressed interest and invested in the plan but additional funding may be obtained through regional and local grants from sources like the city.
Council Member Loretta Walsh says the 10-year plan, which was developed by more than 400 West Side residents, is well-thought out.
"This isn't a 'Let's wave the magic wand, it's gonna happen tomorrow' plan. This is a very logical, block-by-block, brick-by-brick plan," Walsh says.
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Council also approved the disposition of several houses on Carter and E. 22nd Street to Habitat for Humanity.
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