November neighborhood meeting.

Tonight's Howard Park Neighborhood meeting was small in attendence but packed with information.  Audra Sieradzki, the developer of the new construction at Colfax Ave and Hill St., brought a wealth of information.   This new mixed use building will have one commercial space and approximately 16 apartments with resident lobby, fitness room, option for a roof top deck and one designated parking space per apartment.  The building design is attractive and close to the street with parking behind the building in order to create a more urban feel.  We can look forward to more residents and activity in the area as soon as Spring 2016.

October Neighborhood Meeting

The Notre Dame school year is well underway and the relationship between residents and the students that live in off campus housing is getting better according to Matt Costello, a long time resident who lives on Notre Dame Ave with his wife and five children.  Matt and his wife Anne have a beautiful old victorian house that they restored and have called home for the past 19 years. They have seen their share of parties with disrespectful and unruly students, but say that is not necessarily the case now and relationships have improved.  Noise and other disturbance is a challenge in any campus town/city across the nation and it was good to learn from Matt, the ways in which the university, city, landlords, student residents and residents have been working together to peacefully and respectfully coexist.  For those interested in getting more involved or voicing a concern, the Campus Community Advisory Council's next meeting is November 10th, 3:30pm, held at the City Council Bldg, 4th floor.  For more information you can e-mail Jeff Flattery (forgive me if the last name is misspelled) at Jeff@campushousingsb.com

We live in a great part of South Bend, and over the summer we have had many opportunities to interact with our neighbors.  Our meeting this evening focused on another way we can show our support for a safe, cohesive neighborhood -- getting involved in a neighborhood watch.  I can hear sighs as I type (maybe its just in my head) but the truth is, we already watch.  A neighborhood watch is a system or protocol to follow when something just doesn't seem right.  Why reinvent the wheel?  If an odd event is happening or suspicious persons are in or around your or your neighbors residence, a protocol makes it easier to act.  Too many times people see or hear something, but because it doesn't happen very often they are struck with, should I do something?  Does this warrant me doing something?  With the protocol of a neighborhood watch, its easy, you have a number (or many other ways, tweet, text, instant message) and you call with the information.  Now you have done something. If it turns out to be nothing, great!  If it turns out to be something then the appropriate people have been contacted and we are all better for it.  If you are a resident of the Howard Park Neighborhood, and are interested in more information or becoming a Block Captain, please feel free to contact us.

Howard Park Association, April Meeting

Your Howard Park Neighborhood Association invited all Common Council At-Large Candidates to the April meeting.  We welcomed John Voorde, Lori Hamann, Gavin Ferlic, and Tom Price.  The candidates expressed their ideas on how to make our city a safer place, ways to improve communication and attract businesses to the area.  This was a very informative meeting where all who came got a sense of who the candidates are and what they stand for.  It was great getting to know these candidates. The only problem now is to choose only three.

At our recent neighborhood meeting Travis Teague, a South Bend police officer showed up. It is comforting to get first hand news, and it was good news, regarding crime in our area. But that's not the most important thing. A police officer that patrols our area will attend each and every meeting. We'll call it The Police Beat. The first 10 minutes of every monthly meeting will be Police Beat and we will be able to bring any questions we may have. Our police officer will fill us in on "true" events of interest and goings on in our neighborhood. The best part is the relationship building between citizens and our officer citizens and the confidence and trust needed to create safe and happy neighborhoods.