Off the Map

Will the shiny new near north side need social-service agencies?

A A A Comments By Meleah Maynard Wednesday, Jul 19 2000

...continued from page 2

Jones says this is his first experience trying to make plans with the city. And, while he wouldn't go so far as to say that he believes his program will ultimately find a home in the Hollman redevelopment, he doesn't have reason to distrust the bureaucrats, either. "I know that I'd rather be involved in the process now and be able to sit at the table and say that I don't like something than to just be told later what things are going to be like."

The implementation committee is scheduled to discuss the survey at its July 21 meeting. Cherryhomes says the city had hoped by then to be finished gathering answers to the questionnaire and conducting interviews with agency directors, but the process is slightly behind schedule. By early September, she continues, the city will have a much better idea of which programs will stay in the community and under what circumstances.

Craig Lassig

The Glenwood Lyndale Community Center is one of a handful of organizations losing its digs in the Hollman redevelopment

More About

Like this Story?

Brian Herron, the lone minority member of the city council, says he's been voicing concerns about this very issue since the city first left some of the agencies out of design plans for the area more than three years ago. "I looked at the big-scale model they had laid out for us to see and I said, 'Hey, where's KMOJ, where's Glenwood Community Center?'" he recalls. "They told me that they would find a place for them later. But they haven't."

Herron says that what he fears is happening on the north side is nothing new: "Why is it always good for black institutions to be there when things are bad, but when we begin to change the area, redevelop it, then those institutions are not seen as relevant anymore? My hope is--or was--that we would do something different this time and the agencies would be part of the new community. This should not be happening."

Back at the Glenwood, Christian Akale sits working. He hasn't received the questionnaire yet and he's not sure what to say about it at this point. "But if you talk to Jackie Cherryhomes," he says turning away from his computer, "do let her know that we do take her seriously when she says there will be a place for us. Okay?"

Check out this week's featured ad for News