Neighborhood Watch Notes

Last evening was the yearly meeting of the Neighborhood Watch Block Captains. Subjects included grass length (8 inches), Neighborhood Night Out (NNO), local crime trends, Pettigrew Heights, and home foreclosures.

Apparently, there was some question regarding the proper length of grass and the city ordinances weren't in sync with their answers to this. Proper length is now 8 inches and it no longer depends where you live. I didn't realize that it did before, but good to know!

Neighborhood Night Out is the yearly event that occurs on the first Tuesday in August. This year, a different approach was suggested. Rather than have the individual meetings with city officials, fire trucks and ambulances (ambuli?) spread all over the city, this would concentrate the resources to one location. The suggested location is Sertoma Park. A decision was not made last night, but a committee was formed to discuss the feasibility of this alternative.

Lock your doors - home or not! Home invasions have been happening all over the city. Scary? Heck, ya! What the invaders tend to do is walk the neighborhood and check each home for unlocked doors. Upon finding one, they enter. It doesn't matter if you are home or not. They may not rush for the televisions, either. (I really can't blame them - have you tried picking one of them up lately?) What they do go for are portable technologies - laptops, iPods, Blackberries (not the fruit), cell phones, purses, and the contents of your medicine cabinet. One of these invaders had the audacity to pull their car up in the victim's driveway, load up and take off. The victim was just getting home as he was leaving. Nice. Lock it up, folks! - no matter how briefly you will be gone! Don't even think about the time it would take them to leave, but the time it would take them to enter - for they may still be there when you get home.

Another culprit at your medicine cabinet may be teenage relatives. Apparently teens have taken to parties where pills are brought as an entrance fee to be placed in a bowl where they each pick 4 (or whatever the number). They then enjoy (or not) their evening accordingly. We never think of our teens as the ones that could possibly do that, but they also have friends over and its "better safe than sorry".

There were a significant number of foreclosures in Pettigrew Heights and Whittier neighborhoods in 2008. When these properties are relinquished to the banks there is often confusion as to the responsibility of the upkeep. You may notice one of these homes in your neighborhood. It was suggested that rather than see the property go down hill, it may be wise for the neighborhood to adopt the property upkeep. If you think about it, one such property can really bring the appearance of the neighborhood down. Not only that, but potential buyers may be dissuaded by an overgrown mess. Food for thought.

Meeting Notes for Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Conservation Area Committee. March 25, 2009

City Council member Kermit Staggers was a fresh face in our group today. It was good to see him there. He liked it so much, he plans on attending the next meeting!

Announcements:
The Urban Agriculture Garden and Market Kick Off Event is scheduled for April 15th, 2009 at Lowell Elementary. Mayor Dave Munson is planning on attending.

The Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Art Show is April 18th from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. This will be held at the Summit House on the corner of 12th and Summit. This is free and open to the public. All are welcomed to contribute their art and/or music. If you have any questions, contact Hannah at 271-0721 or info@sfseminary.edu.

Shireen Ranshau announced that 731 S. Summit is a foreclosed house that they will be auctioning off for rehab. Bid packets are available at Sioux Falls Housing.

John Hart announced that they are (not so patiently) waiting for work to begin on the 37 unit, 4-story housing development VOA has in the works. April 28th is the date for (ground-breaking?) This apartment complex will consist of one and two bedroom apartments for women completing rehab so they may be with their children. This provides safe affordable housing. Since they doubt all the units will be filled, they expect it will also provide safe affordable housing for other Sioux Falls residents. John has promised a picture of the future building that I will post as soon as it becomes available.

The Sioux Falls Homeless Coalition is awaiting numbers for the total of homeless in Sioux Falls. This homeless count, Stacey Tieszen stated would most likely be much higher than previous counts. The reason for the increase in this year's count is they are now counting "doubled up" people as well. These are people that don't have their own home, and are living with others.

Victor, a new member of the Committee, brought up the difficulty felons are having finding housing. Since most applications for housing include the question about felony convictions, these people are either denied housing or forced to lie. Lying places them back in the mindset they are trying to avoid.

House of Cards

I spoke with the city this morning and this is the information that I got:

Basically with the Schwartz property, like other properties, there was a maze of ownership channels.

Joe buys property. Property is financed by Bank A, a small local financier. Bank A sells the loan to Bank B, a larger finance company. Bank B sells to Bank C, larger yet, in a "package" with a group of other properties. Bank C sells to Bank D an international financier in a larger package yet.

Joe ditches property. The property may or may not be foreclosed on. Foreclosure costs banks money. Banks don't like to spend money. Complaints pile up as the property becomes dilapidated. Joe has defaulted and the house is no longer his. The city forwards the complaint to Bank A. Bank A is no longer the owner of the property and forwards city to Bank B and so on... By the time the city contacts bank D, if that bank is even solvent anymore, they have no idea and no interest to pursue this small portion of the total package. The city contacts the bank, the attorney's and anyone they can to inform them of the complaint. (Bank D feels a tiny mosquito buzzing around it and swats it away.) The city proceeds through the legal processes the last of which is demolition and charges the demolition to the bank that owns the property. The land is still there, but ownership and care for the property is difficult to assign.

This is what happened to the Schwartz home. It was not on the historic registry. Not that the historic registry can save a home from demo... I have a feeling this will not be the last we hear of this happening.

Difficulty With Objectivity

When I began this blog, I wanted it to be - for the most part - objective.  I wanted to use this as a method of updating those interested in the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood and the improvements that would be unfolding.

Today, my grief is suspended in a lump in my throat.  I am trying hard to keep swallowing it away and not allow its emergence.  My eyes sting with the frustration and anger of a helpless party witnessing a horrific destruction of the history of the city.  

If you recall, I had a nice little historic article on the C.C. Carpenter home.  Mentioned in that article was Joseph Schwartz.  Schwartz built the Carpenter Hotel.  This building is still downtown today.  He also built Washington High School - the North addition - before it was Washington High School.  He built the Minnehaha city jail, the Central Fire Station, Augustana's Old Main, The First Congregational Church, The Manchester Biscuit Company, the Coliseum, Lowell Elementary, one of the Cataract Hotels, First Baptist Church, the Carnegie Library and Cathedral School.  As he did a large number of civic buildings, he really never became terribly wealthy.  As an architect at the turn of the century, he was considered second only to Wallace Dow in the architectural business.  He lived in a modest unassuming home (Pictured below).

I am certainly glad that I took this photo when I did because here is the Joseph Schwartz home today:

Is this the honor we bestow upon the creators of our city? This was not the owner that tore down the house. The permit to raze was initiated by the City of Sioux Falls. I will leave you with that as I find that I am not in a state to elaborate further.

The Historic Rubble

Here lie the remains of the Dr. Germain home.  Dr. Germain was the County Superintendent of Health in 1889.  Dr. William A. Germain was born in Wisconsin in 1855.  He graduated from the Butler Medical College at Butler, IN in March 1882.  Upon graduating he left for Sioux Falls where he began his practice within the month.  He was affiliated with all the Masonic groups located in Sioux Falls and held numerous board positions.  He was a prominent member of early Sioux Falls Society.  

Looking at the dates of his practice in Sioux Falls, it is apparent that he was one of the physicians that helped with the Typhoid Fever epidemic that struck 10% of the Sioux Falls population.  (In my notes, I see that one account said it affected 50% of the citizens of Sioux Falls.)  The physicians were so busy, they couldn't make housecalls outside the city and often just sent medicine.  In 1889, the Scarlet Fever epidemic landed in Sioux Falls.  Dr. Germain was present for that as well.  He was highly regarded as a physician, surgeon and citizen.  Sorry, Dr. Germain about the house.

As a side note, the stain glass window that I mentioned in the Argus article was no longer in the window of the Germain house. Someone has taken it and nobody is aware of who...

Update to the Razing

If you read the article from the Argus Leader, you will see that I was heartbroken about the Germain property being destroyed.  Apparently, however, it was beyond repair.  The city would not allow anyone to go in and salvage any part of the building.  Walking by on the day razing began, I noticed a beautiful stained glass window on the north side of the Germain house.  I mentioned that to the reporter who called and it was printed in the article.  

The stained glass window has been removed from the inside of the house. Hmmm...Anyone know where it went?

In my estimation, the Germain house will be subjected to the back hoe Monday morning. RIP.

The List - - Dreams Of Neighbors and Community

THE BIG FIRST STEP – Someone has to make a move that is so positive, so big and so inclusive that the people of the area take notice. This can be a collaborative group project or a lighthearted competition fundraiser between groups. The effects will be contagious.

1. Classes
     a. Home Maintenance
     b. Gardening
     c. Babysitting
     d. Community Leadership
     e. Finances
     f. Parenting
     g. Childcare
     h. Cooking
     i. Cleaning
     j. Nutrition
     k. Budget shopping
          i. Groceries
          ii. Home Improvement Items

          iii. Decorative Solutions
          iv. Clothing
          v. Low budget solutions to household problems
     l. Music
     m. Self-Defense

     n. Art – Art shows as well

     o. Dog Obedience
     p. Computer skills

2. Volunteer Activities
      a. Landscaping
     b. Neighborhood Garbage Pick Up 
          i. Lawn litter
          ii. Large Items
          iii. Chemical and Electronic
     c. Home Maintenance
     d. Graffiti Removal
     e. Children’s Activities
     f. Tutoring

      g. PB&J summer lunch program
     h. Web Page Maintenance
     i. Troubleshooting 

         i. Lighting
         ii. Crime Areas
         iii. Blight
      j. Welcoming Committee

     k. Neighborly Committee – coordinate recognition
         i. “I like what you have done to your yard”
         ii. “Your garden looks great!” 
         iii. “You are soooo friendly!”
         iv. “Glad to have you as a neighbor!”
         v. “Congratulations on the birth…”
         vi. Check in on shut-ins, elderly, 

              1. inform of tornado sirens and assist to seek shelter
              2. after storms make sure they are okay
              3. Have contact information for family 

3. Community Activities
     a. Book clubs

     b. Garden clubs
     c. Theater
      d. Photography
     e. History
     f. Teas
     g. Knitting Clubs
     h. Architectural Walks

     i. Health Fair
     j. Cultural Celebrations
         i. Provide knowledge of cultures in the neighborhood
         ii. Why they moved here?
         iii. What do they miss?
         iv. What do they enjoy?
         v. Can be done with a get-together
        vi. Fosters Understanding and Acceptance

     k. Block Party

4. Miscellaneous

     a. Lowell MST Identifying Artwork 
         i. Contest
         ii. Arts Council
         iii. GFP(?)
     b. Bowden Youth Center

         i. Needs Updating
         ii. Address activities
         iii. Promote Positive Relationships
         iv. Staff Police Officer?

     c. Service Pool
         i. “deposit” talents into pool

         ii. People can “withdraw” others’ talents as needed.
     d. Neighborhood News
         i. Special Recognition
         ii. Success Stories
         iii. Volunteer of the Month
         iv. Home of the Month
     e. Apprentice-type programs
         i. Carpentry
         ii. Basic Plumbing
         iii. Remodeling and Restoration
         iv. Use for Neighborhood Projects
         v. Recruit Teachers as Volunteers 
         vi. Request Project Work From Local Schools
         vii. Provide Job Skills and positive reinforcement for teens
     f. Enlist Area Churches
          i. Provide Services to “fill the gaps” between Social Programs
          ii. Many hands make light work…
          iii. Adopt a property
              1. new homeowners needing guidance
              2. resource for homeowner/renter
              3. painting and fix-up

     g. Book Sanctuary
         i. Free books

         ii. Quiet reading spot
         iii. Host Book Club

         iv. Literacy Assistance

     h. Contractor Challenge

         i. Purchase older neighborhood home
         ii. Enlist Carpenters, painters, cabinet-makers, restoration experts, etc.
         iii. “Parade of Restored Homes”?
         iv. Benefits
              1. Provide revamped properties to the neighborhood
              2. Provide examples or solutions to other older home-owners 
              3. Healthy competition that would be advertising for contractors.
              4. Poor economy limits new home purchases – remodeling coming back “in”
              5. Advertise and Promote Pettigrew Heights
                     i. Teach responsible renting
                         i. After course completion, will have better “clout” as a renter
                         ii. Give certificate for $N off deposit
                         iii. Renters retain certification as long as they continue to meet objectives
                             1. cleanliness
                             2. responsibility – water plants, vacuum halls?
                             3. Keep landlord up to date on status of property
                       iv. May reduce “musical chairs” rental issues
     j. Computer Bank
         i. Look into a community website – people can request needs assistance. (Need a winter                 coat) 
         ii. Assistance with job hunting
         iii. Be able to network with others (increase support systems)
     k. Transportation
         i. Ride Share
         ii. Bicycle Borrow Program
         iii. Adopt-a-passenger
     l. Community Service
         i. Adopt-a-grand-relationship
             1. “grandparents” can walk children to school.- increase attendance foster                  intergenerational relationships 
             2. Reading, tutoring, supervision
             3. Put benches up by Lowell playground
         ii. Singing/Activities for retirement homes
         iii. Mentors for all age groups
         iv. Contact schools to provide a needy family with anonymous gifts.
         v. Help with attendance problems
             1. Walking group for school aged kids – stop and pick up as they go.
     m. Create an atmosphere that parents, children and teachers feel comfortable in. – Lowell:      embrace cultural differences, celebrate culture regularly, provide guest speakers that are      leaders in each cultural community

5. VOLUNTEERS – our most precious commodity
     a. Recognize efforts
     b. Keep a journal (before/during/after)
     c. Recharge
     d. Reward
     e. Inspire
     f. Maintain a list
         i. Send birthday cards
         ii. Send Holiday cards
         iii. Let them know how much we think of them!!
         iv. Let others (their church, family or neighbors) know they have done something good!

6. Teach people to trade in their “I can’t” for “How Can I?”

The Demo Begins

My attention was diverted from my internet research to the sound of one large vehicle motor after another.  Lined up from the 900 block of South Duluth all the way to 11th street were the demolition dump trucks.  Today is the day they have begun demolition of some of the oldest homes in Pettigrew Heights.  These old houses, some of the beauts with historical significance are leaving this world for their future at the land fill.  In their place will be low-income senior housing.  


This house had its hazardous siding removed.  Almost looks better now.

This house on the left and the rubble to the right were so dilapidated, abused and hideous, that regardless their historical value, we are not too sorry to see them go.