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Email: heritage@heritagehillweb.org

The Heritage Hill Association’s 2009 Report to Neighbors

WHO WE ARE:

The Heritage Hill Association is the neighborhood organization of the Heritage Hill Historic District. Our boundaries are the northern property lines of Crescent Street to the southern property lines of Pleasant Street (including the 600 block of Union SE); the eastern property lines of Union Avenue to the western property lines of Lafayette Avenue; also included is a jog down State Street to Jefferson Avenue to Fulton Street. Everyone who lives within these boundaries is a member of the Heritage Hill Association. Non-residents can also be members by contributing annual membership dues.

There are 1,300 structures in the neighborhood that, per the 2000 census, house 3605 households. Of these households, 82% are tenants, 18% are owners. Our population totals 5,599. Of that total, 75% are Caucasian, 17% are African American, 5% are Hispanic or Latino, 2% are Asian, the remaining 1% is a mix of Native American, Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander and mixed races; 64% are our residents are low to moderate income. As of 2002, 66% of our structures are either owner occupied or neighbor owned; the remaining 34% are absentee owned.

Heritage Hill is an urban neighborhood and the Association’s programs assist and work with neighbors to address urban problems -- neighborhood safety, land use conflicts, increasing traffic and parking demands, institutional expansion/construction disruption, housing maintenance and preservation issues, promotion of neighborhood schools, access to limited services, and other issues inherent in a densely populated, core city neighborhood. Just as with old houses, a neighborhood is dependent on a good and ongoing maintenance program!

Active, engaged, and mobilized neighbors, working with all our neighborhood institutions, the City of Grand Rapids, and any and all community resources, are the best indicators that Heritage Hill is a vital place to live and work!

OUR SERVICES:

Crime Prevention Program: The purpose of the program is to increase neighborhood safety with programs that activate neighbors in Neighborhood Watch, Drug Watch, and Block Clubs. Key components include free home security surveys, personal safety information, victim assistance, and producing and producing and distributing crime information/alert notices and fliers. Block Club organizing helps neighbors work together to prioritize problems, identify resources, and develop and implement action plans to resolve problems. In 2009, this program was partially funded by federal funds that the City of Grand Rapids awarded to the Heritage Hill Association.

Neighborhood Improvement: The purpose of this program is to generate resident involvement and leadership to preserve, protect, and maintain the residential nature of Heritage Hill; to resolve issues of concern; and build upon neighborhood strengths that improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. Issues commonly include land use conflicts, traffic/parking struggles, institutional expansion, promoting neighborhood schools, etc. Additional components consist of educating, referring and assisting residents with available City services and community resources and implementing and re-evaluating needs identified in the Master Plan of Heritage Hill. Like the crime prevention program, this program is partially funded by federal Community Development Block Grant funds that the City of Grand Rapids awards to the Heritage Hill Association.

Apartment/Homes for Sale Listing Service: Due to our large rental community, the Association produces and publishes a weekly list of available apartments in Heritage Hill whose landlords choose to list with us. It is an extremely popular service. Copies of this list are free and are available at our office and also on our Web site (www.heritagehillweb.org). For landlords, the price to list an apartment is $45 for a studio apartment; $50 for a one-bedroom; $55 for a two-bedroom and $60 for 3 or more bedrooms. The listing is for 2 months or until the apartment is rented, which ever comes first. The list also includes Homes for Sale in Heritage Hill. For Sale listings run for two months, are purchased by the owner or the owner’s agent, and cost $100. Additional services that we offer landlords and tenants include assistance with their rights and responsibilities.

The Heritage Herald: The Association produces and publishes a bi-monthly newsletter that is mailed to the 4,800 addresses in Heritage Hill. Its purpose is to inform neighbors of events, issues, and other information of interest. It also promotes neighborhood identity and fosters community.

The Heritage Hill Web Site: The Association maintains and updates a website that hosts a variety of information regarding our neighborhood including the weekly apartment listing. The site contains the guidelines of the City’s Historic Preservation Commission as well as their application for any exterior work. “Heritage Hill at your fingertips” offers photos and information on every structure in Heritage Hill. Most addresses have an inventory card that was completed when the historic district was nominated in 1969, a photo from that same time, an updated photo from 2003-04, and new last year, the City Assessors’ photos from the 1930’s survey. All this information is a click away and allows access to the Association’s historical house records. Check it out at www.heritagehillweb.org. New in 2009, the Association Board started a Heritage Hill Facebook that is easily accessed from the home page of the website.

The Annual Tour of Homes: This is the largest fund-raiser and promotional effort of the Heritage Hill Association. The funds are needed to sustain our Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement programs. It also promotes our architectural heritage and our neighborhood as a great place to live and work!

The Annual Heritage Hill Garden Tour: In its second year, the Garden Tour grew in popularity and it will be back in 2010 – mark your calendar for June 19!

Social Events: The Association hosts two neighborhood wide events to bring all neighbors together to celebrate our community. The Neighborhood-Wide Night Out Picnic was rained out on its traditional June night in 2009 and was rescheduled in August. Neighbors voiced their preference for August and because the people always win in our neighborhood, the Picnic is set for August in 2010. The Holiday Potluck and Annual Meeting is the Friday after the Thanksgiving weekend. The Association also hosts the annual Yard Sales Day that happens the Saturday of the week before the Memorial Day Weekend

Architectural and Historical Survey Files: The HHA office maintains the architectural survey files of each house in the neighborhood that were compiled in 1969. This survey was necessary to place Heritage Hill on the National Register of Historic Places that effectively saved over 75% of the neighborhood from demolition. Most of the information from these files is posted on our website.

Etc., etc., etc., ... The Heritage Hill Association office is often the first place neighbors call for a multitude of questions regarding … most anything. Common questions include historic preservation, landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, contractor referrals, neighborhood issues, who lives at ... who to call for this ... how can I handle this problem …who can shovel my snow ... what is that house zoned for ... when is garbage day …etc., etc, etc.

THE ASSOCIATION AND NEIGHBORS’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2009:

Land Use issues:

• The route of the SilverLine, the rapid bus transit that the RAPID proposed on the streets of Fountain, Lafayette, and Lyon was a major issue of concern and work that started in March, 2009. Neighbors voiced big problems with the plans for 60-foot buses traveling this narrow street of Lafayette every 8 minutes in peak travel times. Raised access transit stations would also measure 60-feet long and would need to be constructed on both sides of Lafayette. While RAPID officials initially stated that the street would remain at its current width despite neighbors’ insistent that the street could not accommodate this use, later discussions did imply that the street would likely need to be widened and on-street parking would likely be removed. The Association offered the alternative route of Ransom, Crescent and Bostwick and through many, many meetings, public hearings, conversations with all stakeholders, the RAPID planning staff recommended the Association’s proposal. At the end of 2009, the changing of the route was working its way through necessary proceedings and approval processes.
• It’s a park! Twenty years in deliberations finally came to fruition in November of 2009 when the City of Grand Rapids agreed to a multi-parcel land swap with the County. This deal paved the way for plans to remove the asphalt at Pleasant and Madison and design a much needed green space. A park design process was beginning at the end of the year with community input planned in early 2010. While the wait was long, the implementation is on a fast track with designs and final approvals set for March, 2010.
• The Heritage Child Development Center at 538 Madison SE opened its doors as residential use when Joquim and Mary Jensen moved in last spring. This culminated 1 1/2 years in working with the Grand Rapids Public School officials and Board members to plan the future use of this former pre-school building. Worked to relocate the on-site playground equipment however was not able to secure a location in a reasonable time. The Jensen’s donated the equipment to a non-profit camp.
• Welcomed Grand Rapids Community College to the former Davenport campus. Participated in meetings and numerous conversations through the transition process. The process has strengthened the relationship of GRCC and the Association and we are well on our way to becoming best friends!
• Addressed the expansion request at the former Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the two-family request at 559 Wealthy SE. While the Zoning Appeals Board did not support neighbors’ positions, voices were heard and the respective owners interacted and responded to issues.
• Opposed the demolition of the former Rite Aid and Red Geranium building for use as a surface parking lot without a future redevelopment plan in place. The applicant, Spectrum Health, removed its request for further discussion.
• Remained involved in Green Grand Rapids that completed its study of open spaces and parks for the City of Grand Rapids.
• Participated in the Michigan Preservation Network Conference held in Grand Rapids in May of 2009. It was gratifying to hear the praise of Grand Rapids in its preservation efforts and results.
• Met several times with Grand Valley State University to strengthen a communication and working relationship with the Heritage Hill Association and neighbors. Our efforts with the RAPID and SilverLine focused the need for an improved partnership.
• Reviewed monthly Grand Rapids Zoning and Planning Department agendas for issues affecting the neighborhood.
• Maintained communication network with each of our neighboring hospital, colleges and universities.
• Continued to hold neighbors meetings with Saint Mary’s Hospital representatives to address neighbors’ issues. We had initial discussions regarding the redevelopment of Saint Luke’s (corner of Lafayette and Cherry). The design of this post war modern building is currently in review of an appointed study group of the Historic Preservation Commission.
• Assisted 3 residents with necessary documentation for the State’s Historic Tax Credits program.
• Monitored 100+ open housing cases with the City’s Housing Team Leader on a monthly basis. Staff also worked with block reps on deteriorating housing, or zoning violations on at least 20 addresses in the Hill. Quite a few of foreclosed buildings in Heritage Hill have been very nicely rehabilitated. We also informed neighbors about Home Repair Services’ free classes on home repair for do-it-yourselfers, low cost loans for home rehab available through MSHDA, and how to work with the city’s Housing Inspections Department.

Crime Prevention and Community Organizing: Our goal is to work with neighbors to help prevent or resolve crime problems. Important resources are the Grand Rapids Police North Team, 61st District Court, Block Clubs, Block Reps, rental owners and Heritage Hill neighbors.

• Neighborhood Assistance: As an example of our work in 2009, we assisted neighbors in the College, Lyon, Campbell area organize a block meeting to address potholes on Lyon NE, burned out alley lights, and traffic volume and speed in the alley. In May when one home burglary became three and then five, we identified a burglary pattern and notified police and neighbors. Fliers were drafted and neighbors were alerted, free home/apartment security surveys were provided by HHA staff, we mapped the burglaries and sent other additional information to our North Police Team Community officer Dan Myers with request for extra patrols. The burglaries stopped. We also assisted neighbors with loud party problems, suspected drug activity, panhandling, graffiti removal, personal safety concerns and follow up with the police on specific incidents. We challenged one rental owner who had 34 calls for police assistance to his five-unit building in 2008 to reduce this number in 2009! Call Barb at 459-8950 if you would like help with getting people together on your block or in your apartment building on any topic.
• E-Alerts and Updates: In 2009 HHA e-mailed dozens of fliers and block reps delivered hundreds of alert fliers door-to-door to inform neighbors about crime, neighborhood meetings, events and opportunities. Everyone hates crime but we all want to know when it happens so we can be extra observant and protect ourselves and our neighborhood. Recipients are encouraged to forward E-Alerts to other neighbors or get copies from HHA and distribute them door-to-door. In September, HHA staff sent out an E-Alert after a neighbor called to report that someone had stolen her porch furniture. We drafted an E Alert and suggested the owner also put up fliers in local stores. Four months later, the furniture was back! (See story on page ). To receive E-Alerts send us a note at heritage@heritagehillweb.org or call with your name, address and phone number – and e-mail address.
• Networking with other Organizations on crime issues: HHA maintains communications with Security Offices at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Central High School, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Kendall College, Calvin College, and Davenport College on matters of mutual interest. They receive our E-Alerts and are contacted by phone on particular incidents. While meeting with neighbors on Prospect NE, a GVSU Police officer impressed all when he jumped a six-foot fence and arrested a trespasser. Maintaining this network between residents, schools, businesses and the Grand Rapids Police Department has helped us keep burglaries lower than in most core city neighborhood. In 2009 our number of burglaries (including homes/apartments and garages totaled 39. For a neighborhood of nearly 4000 households, that low number is very good. (More annual crime stats are coming in the March/April issue.)
• Court Watch: HHA staff and neighbors provide information to Judges at the 61st District Court and to Probation officers about people involved in criminal activity in the neighborhood. In December, staff noted that a man imprisoned 20 years ago for felonies in the area was named in a crime report. We contacted the State Probation office and requested that he be banned from the area as a result of his recent activity. Our request was granted.
• Drug Watch: Drug sales and the associated violence have diminished over the last decade and that trend continued to flattened throughout 2009. There were only five reported drug incidents. Reported incidents are only the tip of the iceberg, but the iceberg is much, much smaller than during the 1980’s and 90’s when we had reports of 33 drug offences in 1995.
• Graffiti: It’s the scourge of any neighborhood but Stacy DuBose in Streets and Sanitation has a great crew and they continued to work in Heritage Hill in 2009 by removing graffiti from utility boxes on Wealthy, State Street and Lyon NE to name a few. This winter, HHA began to Fight Blight by identifying businesses that promote events by plastering posters throughout the neighborhood. To report graffiti, call Stacy at 456-3666 with the exact location and background color needed to cover the damage. Please call the business doing the advertising and ask them to stop. See Fight Blight article for offender’s phone numbers.
• Personal Safety: In 2009, HHA staff performed five free home and apartment security surveys for residents in Heritage Hill. A home or apartment’s vulnerable spots in security are checked to insure that an intruder cannot enter quietly or quickly. During these surveys, HHA staff has noted a number of instances where the door locks and window security are in violation of the Grand Rapids City Housing Code. We alert the owners and tenants and provide written recommendation on changes needed.
• Vehicle break-ins: Thieves found cars chocked full of iPods, laptops, sunglasses, change, cash, purses, wallets, book bags, duffels and sometime just full of junk. This year 175 victims reported thefts from their vehicles. In 2008 there were 158 reports. New neighbors are often unaware of the need to clear their cars of all valuables – including the GPS equipment and mount. Thieves know all our hiding tricks and anything under the seat or in a bag will be found! Vehicle break-ins topped all other crimes in the Hill this year. HHA sent E-Alert warnings to hundreds of households via the internet, door-to-door fliers and through warnings in our Heritage Herald newsletter but the crime continues to grow. Please warn new tenants and new neighbors.
• Panhandling: Street panhandling was addressed by HHA in the spring of 2009 when State Street businesses patrons were regularly hit up for change. We worked with Officer Dan Myers and the North Team patrol officer to reduce this problem. We continue to ask residents to not give at the door or on the street and we let neighbors know that food, meals, beds, clothing and other assistance is available every day just a few blocks away. Police have been making arrests of especially aggressive panhandlers on State Street.
• Burglary: Home burglary incidents are also trending downward with approximately 39 home burglaries in the neighborhood in 2009, down from 96 in 1998. This accomplishment is significant because HHA led the movement to get the “deadbolt lock ordinance” written into the city housing code in 1989. Burglary prevention will always be a priority. Because new neighbors may lack “city smarts” another part of our job is to encourage neighbors to include and update newcomers on our Neighborhood Watch or Block Club activities.
• Garbage: A nasty problem anywhere. We worked with owners and the city on a number of trash, garbage and litter problems this year. Almost all were resolved with a simple neighborly approach. HHA and neighbors have called or written to several rental owners who complied quickly, while others took a bit more nudging. The city will charge the owner a fee so our neighborly “notices” are helpful to them.
• Tenant Assistance: HHA staff have met with dozens of students and often their parents who are apartment searching in the Hill. We offer our Rental Listing and assurances that the area is safe and welcoming. We provided Tenant/owner Rights and Responsibilities booklets and our Personal Safety Guide to get them started. Parents are especially grateful to find staff eager to meet and reassure them. We helped tenants with many questions including: rights- to privacy; security deposits return; getting repairs done, code violations and more. In 2009, we continued working on a bait and switch scheme that tricked renters into paying in advance for apartments that they would never get to move into. This fall we went to court with a tenant and assisted her in getting a judgment of double her security deposit. She received the money quite quickly too! We also assisted three young men whose heat was off until January 5th despite what the owners, the heating contractor and the city inspector all said. After living for months on heat from the apartment below (between 50 – 55 degrees) the problem was resolved after repeated intervention of our staff.
• Tenant Organizing: In 2009 Association staff worked with dozens of tenants who wanted information on renting in the Hill, safety issues, rental deposit issues and sometimes crime issues. We signed up dozens this year to our E-Network so they get connected to the neighborhood. We offer to meet with tenants in their buildings so and lead a discuss safety issues at the building or on the streets or other issues of concern.
• Neighborhood Potpourri: Our newsy column in the Heritage Herald is a blend of issues, events and updates from around the neighborhood and is published in every issue of the Heritage Herald. We also write memorial notices for residents who have passed away if we become aware of it. Please let us know.
• Neighborhood Clean-Ups: We organized cleanups on State Street, Madison and Cherry, Cherry and College, Foster Park. We thank BJ (Jordan) at Home Repair Services for loaning us their tools for our projects. We also recognize the volunteers who work on the corner gardens, maintain the gardens at the Hillmount Condos, and all the other home gardeners who beautify Heritage Hill just for the love of it.

Parking and Traffic:

• Parking and traffic concerns continue to be issues for the neighborhood, primarily in the north end but also pockets of concern in the south end – primarily around Saint Mary’s Hospital campus. We continue to respond to issues as best we can with limited tools to effect change.
• Monitored the various construction plans for 196.

Neighborhood Schools:

• Maintained an information link with GRPS administration and our neighborhood schools.

Neighborhood Promotion:

• Organized and orchestrated the annual Home Tour; showcased 10 open houses and recruited 343 volunteers to staff the homes. Grand Rapids initial ArtPrize overshadowed our Tour this year and discussion began regarding a possible moving of Tour to the spring. Tour will happen on October 2 and 3 in 2010. Any move will happen in 2011.
• Organized the second annual Garden Tour. The successful event will continue in 2010 on June 19th.
• Compiled and published 6 issues of the Heritage Herald and distributed to 4,800 neighbors and posted at our website.
• Compiled, produced and provided weekly apartment listings at the HHA office and website. Advertised the Association’s rental listing service and available apartments in GVSU’s student newspaper and Craig’s List.
• Organized the June Heritage Hill Night Out Picnic at Foster Park in August.
• Organized the annual Heritage Hill Neighborhood-Wide Yard Sale Day on the Saturday before the Memorial Day weekend.

And: handled 1000’s of calls and walk-ins regarding a multitude of quality of life issues in Heritage Hill

And on we go in 2010 …

Copyright© 1997-2010 Heritage Hill Association. All rights reserved. Revised: March 30, 2011.