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What has been going on in the North Central part of
the city? Plenty, with the enthusiasm of the North Central
Weed and Seed Neighborhood Restoration Committee to
set the pace.
On June 14, members of the Neighborhood Restoration
Committee of the North Central Weed and Seed Program
implemented a key step of their revitalization plan
for the historically significant community of North
Central.
Located between Federal and 101st streets, between the
Hudson River and 10th Street, the area was home to such
noted figures as Kate Mulany and Bat Shea. Many of the
stately homes retain their architecturally distinct
features.
The first phase of revitalization developed by the committee
was the planting of eight flowerboxes at strategic intersections
in the heart of North Central. The members who dirtied
their hands with planting included Lynn M. Kopka, chair,
Tina Urzan, C.J. Marbley, Thila Bell, Marcia Pascarella
and Theresa Newton.
The team worked with the Troy Department of Public Works
to obtain and place the planters. Volunteers purchased
the soil and plants with funds from Weed and Seed. Tom
Sinopoli transported the soil and plants to the sites.
Concerned neighbors including Tina Urzan, Marcia Pascarella,
Skip Trahan and the Weed and Seed Office have adopted
each planter. A plethora of colorful flowers now greets
motorists and pedestrians as they enter River Street
from 101st Street.
Another phase includes tree planting on several blocks
throughout the North Central neighborhood. The committee
is working with Weed and Seed, Capital District Community
Gardens and the city of Troy to secure funding to beautify
residential blocks that would benefit from tree plantings.
Additional components of the Neighborhood Restoration
Committee's strategy for North Central include the demolition
of vacant, deteriorating structures that have no foreseeable
economic return. Included in this list was the recently
demolished structures at 3019 and 3021 Sixth Ave.
The adjacent property owner, Skip Trahan of Quality
Glass, has expressed interest in developing the site
as greenspace and off street parking. Skip is working
to prepare his application in response to the city's
request for proposals for that site. That demolition
was funded through the city of Troy's Vacant Building
Initiative.
The second set of buildings to be demolished are 2609
and 2611 Sixth Ave. The Weed and Seed Steering Committee
identified these vacant city-owned buildings as detrimental
to the development of North Central. Weed and Seed will
assume the bulk of the cost of the demolition with the
city paying the balance. These buildings are scheduled
to be demolished during the summer.
Other amenities for the area include the development
of greenspace through public-private collaboration at
various sites throughout the neighborhood. There are
many city-owned vacant lots that are being evaluated
by the committee for development with partners such
as L & L Blacktop, Quality Glass and individuals.
The Neighborhood Restoration Committee meets weekly
at the Olde Judge Mansion or the Weed and Seed Office,
depending on space availability. Other members include
Michael Lopez of TAP, PJ Higgitt of the Rensselaer County
Sheriff's Department and resident Deb Michel.
Although not a "neighborhood group," the Weed
and Seed Neighborhood Restoration Committee is composed
of representatives from several neighborhood groups,
as well as residents and representatives of the city,
TAP, TRIP and local businesses, among others.
The committee functions as an umbrella group, drawing
expertise, ideas and experience from all members of
the North Central neighborhood and the Weed and Seed
Steering Committee.
Operation Weed and Seed is an initiative of the U.S.
Department of Justice and was developed in 1991 as a
comprehensive strategy to assist communities in preventing
and controlling crime and improving the overall quality
of life. This two-pronged approach includes "weeding
out" criminals and "seeding" neighborhood
revitalization efforts. North Central was officially
recognized as a Weed and Seed site by U.S. D.O.J. in
2000.
The Weed and Seed Restoration Committee is looking forward
to other residents in the North Central area joining
and becoming part of the area's recovery. Call 270-5767
to join.
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