For South Fairmount, the only place to go is up. At least that’s what city planners see: potential. Homes have been emptied of their residents at alarming rates. Weather and decay is bringing the empty skeletons down as well. Property values in this area are the lowest in the city, decreasing 50 percent between 2000 and 2010, according to Wamesley. “The area is showing signs of distress and I believe this project will have a multiplier affect on increasing housing stock,” Wamesley added. With the Lick Run Project fully in swing and the construction cones reminded those left behind that change is coming, the community’s question turns back to: “What will the future of South Fairmount look like?” |
A rendering of the project shows some of the specific green amenities of the park area, including playgrounds, athletic courts, and recreation areas that could host events such as concerts, farmers markets, and fairs. (images on this page courtesy of Human Nature Inc.)
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“I think some of this re-population in north Fairmount in particular, but in also in South Fairmount maybe coming from this growing immigrant population and I think this will great,” Blume said. “I think that will be a really good thing for this neighborhood as well, so part of what we are doing in the planning process is trying to stimulate that growth as well.”
Blume sees the process of restoring a community like this as a set of steps. First, creating this big, green space that is attractive to residents will stimulate the housing market.
“Even if everybody in South Fairmount shops local, that’s not enough people to support a grocery store, you’re going to have to create more mass and density and more scale to effective change how the market works,” Blume said. “One of the things in the choice plan is to build more housing and get more people in the community so the density starts to grow again in a way to support other uses.”
This growth will then stimulate economic activity. The growth of population and with that an influx of people walking the streets and shopping and living will then stimulate investment dollars in the neighborhood to upgrade the real estate, upgrade the retail, and adding commercial properties to the area.
“I think that is possible but that’s not going to happen by itself,” Blume said. “I think there is going to have to be other more deliberate acts to get that to happen. I think changes in Queen City Avenue and Westwood Northern will have as much of an impact as green space improvement. I think it’s a good start and certainly better than not doing it, but I think that there’s going to have be more intentional investment to really make that all work.”
Blume sees the process of restoring a community like this as a set of steps. First, creating this big, green space that is attractive to residents will stimulate the housing market.
“Even if everybody in South Fairmount shops local, that’s not enough people to support a grocery store, you’re going to have to create more mass and density and more scale to effective change how the market works,” Blume said. “One of the things in the choice plan is to build more housing and get more people in the community so the density starts to grow again in a way to support other uses.”
This growth will then stimulate economic activity. The growth of population and with that an influx of people walking the streets and shopping and living will then stimulate investment dollars in the neighborhood to upgrade the real estate, upgrade the retail, and adding commercial properties to the area.
“I think that is possible but that’s not going to happen by itself,” Blume said. “I think there is going to have to be other more deliberate acts to get that to happen. I think changes in Queen City Avenue and Westwood Northern will have as much of an impact as green space improvement. I think it’s a good start and certainly better than not doing it, but I think that there’s going to have be more intentional investment to really make that all work.”
Investment in this area begins with its residents. Without support and strong efforts from the community council of South Fairmount, no investor will see potential in the area, said Wolnitzek. “The community council has become very strong and very vocal. I feel they have a good handle on what they see as the future of the community and we hope that they can be guiding what kind of development happens or doesn’t happen in that community,” Wolnitzek said. “I think we eager to see where this goes and we feel confident that this will be a catalyst. There are good people in place that are driving that future.”
Revitalization is a long-term process. Re-shaping the area with green infrastructure and inspiring investment is the jumping point from which the community must rebuild. “This project is the foundation for future discussions that will need to occur with continued public involvement, interaction with the people who live and want to stay in that neighborhood,” Danyluk said. “Everything that’s being done as part of the Lick Run project is really the foundational framework for what continues to happen long term in the future.” |