San Bernardino ponders major redevelopment for eastside neighborhood
By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO -- A troubled cluster of apartments on the city's eastside is at the focus of new redevelopment proposal, but there is disagreement among some of the city's top officials as to whether the plan is a bold way to repair a broken neighborhood or a flawed concept that will fail to reduce crime and blight.
The plan would employ about $8.4 in funds provided through the federal government's Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The funding is intended to help San Bernardino and other cities cope with the recent wave of foreclosures.
San Bernardino officials have zeroed in on a neighborhood where abandoned and foreclosed apartments sit in the middle of a zone said to be a quagmire of drugs and crime, while also being home to a pair of schools.
The divide between policymakers is whether the current plan will lift the area out of its troubles or merely spend a lot of money and effort while leaving the neighborhood's weaknesses in place.
Mayor Pat Morris and Economic Development Agency staffers say the federal dollars provide an opportunity to bring order to a chaotic neighborhood.
"We looked for the most crime-ridden, degraded areas of our city where we could have the most impacts," Morris said.
That area would be a few blocks along 19th Street and Sunrise Way, parallel streets that lie just southwest of the empty land where the notorious Arden Guthries once stood.
EDA statistics show that 356 serious crimes were reported in the area from January 2007 through March 2009. There were 453 Code Enforcement actions over the same time period.
San Bernardino officials have earlier ordered the demolition of the forty-odd apartment complexes that made up the Arden Guthries in an effort to wipe the neighborhood's slate clean and make way for commercial development. The land is now vacant.
But the eradication of the Arden Guthries was not the end of blight in the neighborhood. Some of the four-plexes on Sunrise, for example, exist only as abandoned husks.
In one such building, no barrier prevents trespassing. Gaping holes have been smashed into the drywall and debris covers the floors.
EDA housing director Carey Jenkins said the vandalism is presumably the work of drug addicts scavenging copper wiring to trade for the quick cash that fuels their habits.
"I will not be surprised if this is burned down by some kind of illicit activity before we get our hands on it," Jenkins said.
One quarter of the properties in the neighborhood are abandoned, Jenkins said, a condition he said is symptomatic of "complete failure of a community."
But one Sunrise Lane resident, a woman who did not want to give her real name, said it was about three years ago when Sunrise life was truly rough.
"It's very quiet. Family oriented," she said of her street's current conditions. "It used to be wild over here, yes."
Under the federal government's conditions of the grant, one quarter of the money must be used to finance housing for people earning half of the area median income. In San Bernardino, that amounts to annual incomes of about $19,000.
The redevelopment plan under current consideration addresses that mandate by calling for 25 of the four-plexes to be acquired by a nonprofit and rehabilitated by a nonprofit as low income housing. The concept also calls for the demolition of neighboring four-plexes to make way for single-family homes and senior housing.
The provision for low-income housing has some city officials leery of the proposal. Both City Attorney James F. Penman and Seventh Ward Councilwoman Wendy McCammack, don't like the idea of 100 apartments being set aside for low income earners.
EDA staffers had asked for the City Council to greenlight the redevelopment plan on Monday, but Penman succeeded in gaining the council's OK to wait two weeks while city lawyers examined the paperwork.
"The greater issue is the concentration of those low-income families in a high-crime area," Penman said in an interview.
Penman concludes that the low-income requirements amount to little more than an open door for parolees to settle in any rehabilitates apartments. The end result, he predicts, will be increased strain on city programs and a neighborhood populated by people with similar problems as those who have already raised cain around Sunrise and 19th.
McCammack, whose ward includes the Sunrise and 19th areas, has similar concerns. She wants redevelopment efforts to support senior housing or the development of owner-occupied residences. Like Penman, she sees a cluster of low-income apartments as a potential crime magnet.
"We would be making a big mistake, and I think we would be destabilizing an already unstable neighborhood," she said.
Jenkins said EDA staffers propose to use the funds to rehabilitate apartments because Washington, D.C.'s low-income mandate means the money could only be used to to subsidize a dozen or so owner occupied homes, as opposed to 100 apartments.
Because the plan also calls for the eventual demolition of 46 four-plexes to make way for senior and owner-occupied housing, he said the proposal will significantly reduce the number of low-income apartments along Sunrise and 19th.
Jenkins and Morris also said management services provided by Mary Erickson Community Housing, a San Clemente-based nonprofit, will result in a safer neighborhood and more responsible tenants than has been the case when absentee landlords dominated the neighborhood.
"We'll attract good families because of this," Morris said.
Mary Erickson's executive director, Susan McDevitt, said her organization would be able to screen prospective tenants to keep troublemakers away.
Time presents another issue. The plan's proponents say the alternative to doing nothing is to leave the neighborhood at the mercy of absentee landlords, who may swoop in to purchase properties before a decision is made.
"They're sold once again to unregulated investors who are more concerned with cash flow than the community," McDevitt said.
The council's next opportunity to debate the issue is the meeting scheduled for July 20.
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Well, I can only see it as farming possibility. Lay fertile soil and the cash cows will come. Pickings must be getting slim.
If Mayor (parole or pardon any one back on the street)Morris, is in favor of this, could it be called Operation Phoenix "Far East"?
It will be interesting to see how some council will justify a yes vote on this one, like: "well , it isn't in my neighborhood or ward", or, "why not,,, the old man likes it and I need his help on my agendas", or, "hey, it will keep the cops busy, justifying the need for more cops" or, "lets put it in Wendy's ward, she needs the excitement over there and I wont have the problem in my ward!".
How do you screen median incomes of $19,000 and not their cash flow from drugs and crime. Will it be from their credit ratings or previous questionable rental resumes; and how do you block section 8s with questionable resumes. Many good peoples in this program, whose opportunities are ruined by a few bad apples in that group.
What a great combination, Seniors and high crime statistics groups, brought together. Foxes surrounding the hen house!
I smell a SNAFU in the works, all over again!
As I said before, the only thing I figured is it's a centralized place for the mayor to fish for families to mess with in his non-profit scamming. The pickings must be getting slim 'round these parts lately.
Get rid of the apartments and bring in commercial or athletic development. Just because the "easy pickings" fed money is available doesn't translate to a positive result. There will be too many strings attached and little flexibility in managing the results. The future land development in the area cleared at Arden and Guthrie ( Re. Home Depot) will be seriously jeopardized if newer low income housing is allowed. There was some development consideration by other corporations and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for the Arden Guthrie area in the past. They all backed away because of the REMAINING apartment low income housing and the residual crime problem even after Arden and Guthrie was left vacant. What is the state of any commercial development (Home Depot) now? Tentative at best and doomed if this proceeds with suggested apartments for people making less than 19K. Bringing in new problems will forever doom the area to an increased drain on services, in crime and an additional degrading of the quality of life for San Bernardino. It will exacerbate the upside down demographics of the city making it all the more impossible for the whole city to recover. It is Holcomb all over again. Walk away from the $$ and seize the abandoned properties and clear the land. Buy the remaining units and demo them as well. Make the area a huge vacant parcel to leverage bulk development that will augment existing positive attributes like the San Manuel Casino, the soccer fields, commercial development or the nearby schools.
Demo is right. No one will spend a dime in any store or restaurant that is built if more of what has already been demo'd returns. Who in their right minds would even think this was a good thing, except for the "feel good about me, Mayor". Demo it all and then, and only then, build senior apts. That is the ONLY thing that makes any sense. Watch the council very closely. Vote anyone OUT who supports this plan. The strings attached are too heavy a price to pay for what you get in return.
We need good retail! Not these 99cent stores and AM/PM Mini Markets that Brinker is so fond of.
If you look at the serious department stores in this city of over 200,000 it's sad - 2 Targets, 2 Wal-marts, a Macy's and a Sears. Whoo hoo! The Macy's doesn't even have good "Big Girl" clothes....why shop there? And I'm not going to the others for clothes and shoes.....so it's off to The Galleria or Victoria Gardens. More $$$ spent on gas and less sales tax revenue for San Bernardino.
Now the auto mall is a ghost town. Inland Center Mall is headed that way. And then there is the money that Morris is dumping into Downtown. Morris needs to realize that "Downtown" isn't where people want to go spend a Friday or Saturday night or their $$$.
How much money did the city spend over a decade ago on the Arden-Guthrie area trying to fix it, only to spend more $$$ now?
We do not need more 99 Cent Stores, 7-11's, AM-PM Mini Marts, or cheap housing that slumlords can run.
And we don't need Pat Morris as Mayor!
To Gia: amen, amen and amen. Spread the word or he will spend another 4 years destroying what little is left of taxpaying citizens.
Gia and Jaded,
Good thoughts.
Problem is : need some one with qualifications to run against Morris. At this point, Morris is a "shoe -in".
Got some one in mind?
Just for grins; I suggested Arnett go for the " ring on the carousel" as an outsider and new blood. Couldn't be any worse than no qualified opponent at all for Mayor! That would have given the 4th ward some real voting power in issues too!
As turns out, that "Sir Isaac Lindsay" guy has some real experience in fixing community problems...I was standoffish with him (funny name & all) until I learned that "Sir" is actually what his mother named him. As it turns out, he's got some decent ideas on how to handle gangs, thugs and punks here. The Morris Crew has been slinging mud his way, but once you check him out yourself, you find the guy is really qualified. He's educated and has been in law enforcement since he was 16 or so.
A question for JustMe:
How has he been in law enforcement since he was 16 years old? You have to be 21 to be an officer....was he in Explorers or something?
To S T:
If I knew someone that would run, I would be pushing them to the City Clerk's office - believe me!
All I need is a semi-qualified candidate that isn't a psycho. I'd even consider a liberal - and that is sayin' something for me. We need to toss out that old, stinky shoe-in.
To Gia:
Yes, he did Explorers and became a police officer as soon as he became of age. I read it in his bio. They're all over town. I thought he was strange at first, too. I thought that because of the "Sir" in his name, but it's his birth name. He's actually pretty down to earth. He's got an awful lot of leadership ability.
When I met him, he was very matter of fact: "If the lawn is overgrown, mow it" type of attitude. He's also not soft on crime. It's a strange combo to see a guy who is tough on crime AND cops. He's not really right or left wing...He's just for the people. He's got this no B.S. attitude that is straight and to the point. He doesn't come off as a politician, if you understand what that means. Have you met him?
Gia, Very good L O L! :-)
Just me: Bring him on, lets hear all he wants to get out and what others have to say of him.
One question; who let the lawn get overgrown to notice it needed mowing finally? Under his watch??
Seriously, he needs to let us look him over, as the name makes for a lousy "judgement of the cover" attitude we (I) all fall into!
Can he take the "hits" from the in-trenched system?
If there is something negative in his background, they will dig it up and use it. He , in his trade, may be able to dig up some his own ammunition, though , most of it is public by now, except the "back room" deals.
How about his bringing up votes that went wrong or where decisions made, that were bad, and confronting the oposition with their voting records and see if they can stand the critique.
Can he dish it out in the campaign to show us what he's got and who he is not afraid of?
Can he stay the course and not be intimidated, yet negotiate for right when all is wrong?
Years ago, we had an interesting mayor. Faulted he was, he said what was on his mind. I speak of Ballard, not in praise, but of his "in your face" approach.
We could use some John Wayne attitude, and a whole lot of good common sense driven with honesty to the constituents,the good of the city, and dump the touchy feeley stuff.
Well, I hear he's going to the area this article is talking about on Saturday at about 3p.m. to prep the people for Monday. He told me he wants to hear what the people in the immediate area think should be done...After all, they have to live there.
"Sir" is a kook. He has a very shady past per people in his hood. I was also at some neighborhood meeting this week where he wanted to argue with the moderator after she asked him to behave the way everyone else was asked by submitting their views to the new city manager and police chief in writing. He came in late and showed no respect. JUST ME...don't be fooled just cause he's running against Morris. Sir has no clue of what the people in that area have lived through. I do. They are exploited by their landlords. They are ignored by code enforcement. He wants to beat Morris and I want Morris out too. But isn't there anyone else in town that has a bit of what ST says the top dog should have...in your face honesty with some common sense? I know a few but they won't run cause they think he'll "buy" the election.
JadedVoter:
a "kook," huh? So, what EXACTLY is this "shady" behaviour? Well, I was there and I got both sides. The moderator (McCammack) is someone I sincerely appreciate in this city; however, she was wrong. Sir Isaac was not late. He just waited for a LONG TIME, as did the rest of us, for his tough questions to be answered and she never asked them. So what if he loses a bit of propiety when bad things happen to this city and the people's voices are not heard? Do you really think it was fair for so many people's tough questions to be passed up for social status? I see what he did as fair game because it wasn't fair that the questions were being screened. GOD FORBID WE HAVE A MAYOR WHO DOESN'T CARE ABOUT FORMALITIES AND JUST WANTS TO GET THE JOB DONE! I hope he goes "Walking Tall" on these politicians...
Well, consider this: the term "Morris Supporter" in this town is synonymous with "bad person" or "bought person" and that should say enough. I'm ready for change.
Justme...(he did come in later than most everyone who had already filled out slips. That behavior wasn't because he hadn't been heard, it was just plain disrespect.) And I didn't see social status anywhere in that room. I saw normal everyday working folks who own homes and pay taxes just wanting their neighborhoods cleaned up. What did you mean by that? And this guy has some REAL skeletons. I don't want to be sued, but just because he isn't Morris doesn't necessarily mean he has integrity or is good for this city. This is a man who drives little kids (not his own) around town without making them wear seat belts. So much for law enforcement. I also understand he left law enforcement under dishonorable circumstances. I agree different is better, but not with an alleged shady past that will be an embarrassment to the voters and the city in the long run. Anyway, I understand everyone thinks NO ONE can beat Morris and he seems to think it himself. So now what? You shouldn't bring a knife to a gun fight, should you?
What I meant by "social status" was Wendy screening for the new chief and city manager. It wasn't fair. For the record, people she wanted to speak up were allowed to...Just not thosewith questions that may make certain folks look bad. Peoe were filling those slips out ALL NIGHT...and he came in at 7p.m. Wendy was't even up at the front and settled yet.
He was let go from ONE law enforcement position when he was very young because he wasn't ready yet and has worked in law enforcemt since then HONORABLY.
Kids pull their seatbelts off all the time on their own...Maybe he was doing someone a favor and the kids weren't obedient...
Skeletons? He seems human to me...Those don't really sound like skeletons to me...
Now, nonprofit scamming is DEFINITELY a skeleton, especially when it involves the lives of children.
As far as being sued, you can't be sued if it is true...C'mon! I want to know what makes this guy so bad...not just twisted outlooks from you. Give me some facts...Thus far, you've got nothing. If you honestly had dirt onhim, I would want to know. I ask you again: what skeletons?
I felt I should say something to the character of Wendy McCammack through this:
Wendy McCammack seems to really care about San Bernardino and she does seem skilled in her position. I don't know why she was screening like that, but I'm sure she has a good reason. However, you can't expect the citizens to just accept that. Maybe it has to do with her non-mud-singing type of personality. I don't really know, but it bothered me to be there and see that without explaination.
For the record: I would be ELATED if she ran for mayor. I'd be screaming to the high heavens to elect her because she would do an excellent job; however, she is not running for mayor.
I can say that I, more often than not, agree with her and, even when I do not agree with her, I have never seen her knowingly do anything bad for this city. For goodness' sake, she offered her own truck to the city once to help us save money... I am simply not in agreement with what she did this time.
You can too be sued, even if its true. And you should know that. Besides, I don't want to tear the man down if he even has a chance to beat Morris, but he doesn't unfortunately. But as far as that evening is concerned, I don't know where you were sitting, but he was screaming at her after she politely asked him so follow the format everyone, except for Penman, I think, was asked to follow. After he was yelling at her she closed the meeting because she could NOT get him to control himself. It was not fair to everyone else. And she looked like she was combining questions, not ignoring them. She also asked if we wanted to go longer, and the crowd generally said yes, to get as many in as possible. As far as the questions you didn't think she asked, go to the Council meeting and ask them. What if McCammack changed her mind? I have been told she is still considering it but doesn't think she can beat him. Thoughts?
No, You can't be sued. California has anti-SLAPP laws FIRMLY in place. If he's making himself a public figure, then he can't shut you up, nor can he sue you for exposing corrupt behaviour.
She was combining a lot of questions: yes; however, many questions, the hard ones, were FLAT SET ASIDE. I actually bent my second piece of paper when it went up there and watched it get set aside. Sorry, Wendy, but I did.
Wendy is not going to change her mind. If she were to run for mayor, I'd want to know what her problem was that night. I'm so sorry, Wendy...I know that if you're reading this you know who I am...but what you did was wrong. God bless you. I know you're human, but you just can't earn our trust like that. It went against everything the people love her for. If she had a really good reason, I might just do everything within my power to help her. She is good people.
Okay, the following is a link to a youtube video interview between Sir Isaac Lindsay and some residents of the Guthries. For those of you who think Operation Phoenix was supposed to help them, I suggest you watch the whole video because you'll be surprised at the truth in this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKpJSg9r6SA