Chronicling the Renaissance of North Central, the Heart of Columbia

-- Park Avenue HUD Redevelopment:  Who speaks for the residents?
-- Heibel-March renovation fundraiser


Park Avenue HUD Redevelopment:  Who speaks for the residents?
by Mike Martin

What I'm uncertain of is just who does represent the residents on Park Avenue?  I don't think it's Grass Roots Organizing (GRO) -- they strike me as interlopers.  I used to be a part of ACORN -- we were interlopers on a lot of local debates, too.

So in answer to:

Did the residents adequate representation? -- Probably not.

Are their views and desires an integral part of the proposal or an afterthought? -- Who knows.

Was the process fair? -- No idea.

What about job opportunities, job training, child care -- what about the things that help people become independent rather than dependent?

What about home ownership?  Probably the most key thing to helping people become independent.

These issues will continue to pose dilemmas until we convert our public subsidies from renting to owning.  We can do it. We can do anything we set our minds to in this country.


-- Heibel-March renovation fundraiser

The Corner, originally built in 1910 and known as the Heibel/March Building, a popular neighborhood grocery and pharmacy at the corner of Wilkes Boulevard and Range Line in Columbia's North Central Neighborhood is celebrating its restoration with a good old fashioned "neighborhood happening" on Saturday, July 1st at 7 p.m. in Field Park
adjacent to The Corner.

Everyone and anyone is invited and welcome to participate and enjoy the mosiac mural art work installation of Fayette artist, Gennie Pfannenstiel, the down home music of Steve Jacobs and The Mere Mortals, creative expressions and sentimental impressions with friends and neighbors while "making our past present" at The Corner.

Bring along a blanket or lawn chairs to make yourselves comfortable.

This event is free and open to the public.