Year of Boulevard, Success or ? (Atlanta, Boston: section 8, apartments, crime)

[Nanosolar]

Just a quick glance at the news on the website, it doesn't look like LINK REMOVED - not allowed as they solicit donations since April. Granted, there could've been things going on, but someone did not update the website.

So, do we have any metrics to judge this program by? I like where the City's head was, but has there been any noticeable improvements? Anyone live in the area?

Couple of the top of my head:

Has there been economic development? New businesses? Local businesses? Job opportunities?
Are more kids staying/going to school - AND succeeding in school?
Is the physical environment visibly improved? Trees, sidewalks, lights, parks, etc.
Is transportation to and from the area better? What's the unemployment rate now vs a year ago?
Is there now a core group of people that are committed to improving the community for the long term (that are actually FROM the community??)
Has homelessness decreased?
Crime? Has crime decreased? Is it safe to walk at night?

[cqholt]

APD added a Zone 6 precinct on Boulevard.

[JPD]

The portion of Boulevard south of Freedom Parkway is doing pretty well. North of Freedon Parkway seems to be the same as it's always been. The city is going to build a new dog park in that area. That's the only improvement I know of that's actually happening. Whether it will improve the area, or become a hangout for bums and hood rats remains to be seen.

It seems like it'd only be a matter of time before the astonishing improvements in O4W spill over to Boulevard. What it all comes down to is whether or not the slumlord that runs most of the properties on the bad stretch of Boulevard will give it up.

[cqholt]

What it all comes down to is whether or not the slumlord that runs most of the properties on the bad stretch of Boulevard will give it up.

That slumlord is a large corporation out of Boston that owns all those section 8 housing. I think they are planning on redeveloping the buildings. I think streetscaping on Boulevard, adding a bus only lane, and bike lanes would do a great job of transforming a major arterial road.

[Nanosolar]

Originally Posted by Nanosolar

Just a quick glance at the news on the website, it doesn't look like LINK REMOVED - not allowed as they solicit donations since April. Granted, there could've been things going on, but someone did not update the website.

You're such a prick. The link was to the Year of Boulevard website showing it has not been updated since April.

[waronxmas]

Until the Slumlord of Boulevard is dealt with, nothing will change.

Down on Boulevard: Positive change might finally come to Atlanta’s lawless street | News Feature | Creative Loafing Atlanta

Boulevard, meanwhile, is virtually unchanged. And there’s a reason for that. Most of Boulevard’s dozens of aging, two-story apartment buildings — commonly mistaken for public housing projects — have been owned since the early ’70s by a single company, Boston-based Continental Wingate, which has rejected all offers to sell or upgrade their properties. All of Wingate’s nearly 700 units are federally subsidized, making the apartments the highest concentration of Section 8 housing in the Southeast.

What they've done to that section of the city should be illegal. The story goes on to say they plan on "redeveloping and upgrading" the buildings they own in the neighborhood, but I doubt it.

[BackInATL2011]

Originally Posted by JPD

The portion of Boulevard south of Freedom Parkway is doing pretty well. North of Freedon Parkway seems to be the same as it's always been. The city is going to build a new dog park in that area. That's the only improvement I know of that's actually happening. Whether it will improve the area, or become a hangout for bums and hood rats remains to be seen.

It seems like it'd only be a matter of time before the astonishing improvements in O4W spill over to Boulevard. What it all comes down to is whether or not the slumlord that runs most of the properties on the bad stretch of Boulevard will give it up.

Hey where is that dog parkgoing to be built? I can't find any information about it

[bdawk]

Originally Posted by BackInATL2011

Hey where is that dog parkgoing to be built? I can't find any information about it

Why? Do you want to get your dig eaten by a pitbull?

Sorry, that's just the type of thing I would see going on there.

[roadtrip75]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

Until the Slumlord of Boulevard is dealt with, nothing will change.

Down on Boulevard: Positive change might finally come to Atlanta’s lawless street | News Feature | Creative Loafing Atlanta


What they've done to that section of the city should be illegal. The story goes on to say they plan on "redeveloping and upgrading" the buildings they own in the neighborhood, but I doubt it.

What has the slumlord "done to" that area besides providing affordable housing to poor people? I can't imagine the company and its workers have committed any rapes, robberies, or muggings. I seriously doubt they are dealing illegal drugs or operating prostitutes on the streets.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by roadtrip75

What has the slumlord "done to" that area besides providing affordable housing to poor people? I can't imagine the company and its workers have committed any rapes, robberies, or muggings. I seriously doubt they are dealing illegal drugs or operating prostitutes on the streets.

No, but if they know about such happenings on their property and ignore them, aren't they at least partially liable (morally if not legally) for that circumstance?