Allen Neighborhood Center, in partnership with the Eastside Neighborhood Organization, invites you to join us for a discussion about Eastside Housing: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities on Thursday, October 16, 6:30 p.m. in Foster Community Center, Room 211. This gathering is yet another in our series of conversations about key issues that will eventually be addressed in the City of Lansing Master Planning Process. Participation in these conversations will help prepare you for further involvement in the public input sessions hosted by the City and JJR Consulting (the group hired by the City to facilitate the development of the new Master Plan) in 2009.
Vince Delgado, (a trained facilitator currently working with MSU on civic engagement, former neighbor, reporter, founder and former Director of the Refugee Development Center,) will facilitate this discussion about housing. To provide helpful background information about this important topic, we have prepared a brief Issue Paper (DOC) developed at our request by Rick Kibbey. Rick is an urban planner, lived for decades in the neighborhood, has had his business (Community Research and Education Center) on E. Kalamazoo St. for decades, and has studied the Eastside for thirty years. Rick has included historical information about Eastside housing, provides figures and analysis of the current unprecedented housing situation, and suggests opportunities and ideas for moving forward. The Housing Issue paper is attached. If at all possible, please take the time to read it before Thursday’s gathering. If you cannot join us, read it anyway. It’s a thoughtful and informed piece, with rich historical context.
This is the first time in decades that the City is doing a Comprehensive Master Plan, which means that Eastside stakeholders have a huge opportunity over the next year to help craft the future of our neighborhood. This is the time to think about what it is that we want to retain, what we would like to change, and in what way. Please do join us for the session on October 16 on Housing, and for future sessions (on the environment, Urbandale, workforce development) as well. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions.
Thank you for your interest!
Joan Nelson, Director of Allen Neighborhood Center
Nancy Mahlow, President Eastside Neighborhood Organization
