10-year strategic plan being developed

ANDERSON — Since last August, community leaders and residents have been developing a plan to improve the quality of life in the near west side neighborhood.

Don Knight | The Herald Bulletin | Rachel Mattingly with Prosperity Indiana talks about forming working interest groups that will tackle specifics about quality of life in the 46016 neighborhood at the Anderson Impact Center on Thursday.

Approximately 50 people gathered Thursday at the Anderson Impact Center to get an update on progress and to discuss the next steps.

The Sweet 16 Neighborhood consists of the area comprising the postal zip code and census tract 46016. It includes an area from Brown-Delaware Street to Raible Avenue and from 10th Street to 30th Street.

Rachel Mattingly with Prosperity Indiana said a steering committee has been working since August and they’re asking residents what changes they want to see over the next 10 years.

“A lot can change in 10 years,” she said.

Mattingly said Prosperity Indiana conducted one-on-one interviews on how to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.

She said the next step is to form working interest groups that will tackle specific topics and bring recommendations to the larger group.

“They will be creating strategic plans in various topic areas,” Mattingly said. “Small groups of dedicated people working together to make a difference.”

The specific topics to be addressed include: youth activities; education; job training; housing; infrastructure; crime and drug abuse; business development; and transportation.

Shelly Delong said there are abandoned houses throughout Anderson, but especially in this neighborhood area.

“It’s frustrating for people who want to maintain their properties when there are abandoned houses all around,” she said. “People want to see the neighborhood cleaned up.

“It starts with us as residents of Anderson,” Delong added.

She said when it comes to attitude, people tend to talk negatively about Anderson.

“Anderson is a good place and we’re going to make it better for our kids,” Delong said.

Archie Cotton said the community must work together to restore hope in young people in the neighborhood.

He said weaknesses cited by residents — including a lack of activities and a lack of guidance for young people in single-parent homes — was the focus of the YMCA's decision to gradually change from youth to senior citizen programming.

Cotton said strengths include the Geater Center, Impact Center and the new Girls and Boys Club.

He said churches should be working together to develop programs for young people and to provide opportunities.

“Youth want stability,” he said. “They want programs that are promised to continue and not come to an end in a short period of time.”

The Rev. Ray Wilkins said there is a negative perception of the community and there is now an opportunity to change that perception.

“The drug culture is a bigger problem than we want to admit,” he said. “People can’t get a job because they can’t pass a drug test.

“As a result young people are living with their parents and grandparents,” Wilkins added. “Don’t bury our heads in the sand. We do have that problem.”

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 640-4863.

Topics of concern for the Sweet 16 Neighborhood steering committee:

• Youth activities

• Education, to include post-secondary education.

• Job training

• Infrastructure and greens space

• Crime and drug abuse

• Transportation

• Business development

Story By Ken de la Bastide

Published in The Herald Bulletin, May 6, 2017

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/local_news/residents-working-to-improve-neighborhood/article_5b8b3b47-26f7-56fe-bb0f-1a1e74e6750f.html