Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Revitalization

Phase I Short-Term Action—July 17 through August 28, 2006.
Involved city code enforcement and various city departments including, Attorneys, Police, Fire, Planning & Building Services, Health, Public Works, Parks & Recreation (Forestry)

Phase II Expanded the target area and city code enforcement (Sept. 2006)
Expanded the target area to 9th Street on the north and 16th Street on the south. The east and west boundaries (Minnesota and Covell Avenues) remained the same.

Phase III Neighborhood Conservation Area Actions: (Sept. 2006 to present)

• Establishment of Mayor’s Neighborhood Conservation Area Task Force.
  o 46 members representing neighborhood residents, property & business owners, business community, non-profit organizations, churches, school and government officials have meet seven (7) times in 2007.
  
  
• Projects N.I.C.E. & K.E.E.P. conducted in Spring 2007.
  
  • From April 16 through April 23, 2007, a multi-departmental neighborhood cleanup occurred. This was in conjunction with the 22nd Annual Project NICE and the 15th Annual Project KEEP. For those people who are new to these projects, NICE (Neighborhood Improvement/Complaint Easement) assists neighborhoods with environmental issues such as garbage, rubbish, inoperable vehicles, dilapidated buildings, and zoning problems. Three street crews removed 591 loads of rubble, 12 loads of tires and 12 loads of appliances for a total of 615 truckloads of waste removed from the two neighborhoods. This is over twice as many truckloads as last year’s project.
    
    
• Neighborhood Redevelopment/revitalization Strategies Implemented
  
• Tax Abatement Program for Core Neighborhoods
  Ordinance # 60-07 adopted May 7, 2007
  
• Sioux Empire Housing Partnership – 10th Street & Menlo Avenue
  This non-profit organization is planning a new affordable housing project at 10th Street and Menlo Avenue. The project’s location would be within a highly visible neighborhood corner area. The five (5) unit townhouse project would be aimed at first-time home buyers. Construction is underway and completion is scheduled for this fall.
  
• First Premier Bank - Community Garden Program
  Another community garden site for 2008 is proposed on property owned by First Premier Bank. The proposed garden site would be located in the area of 15th & Spring Avenue and include approximately 30 garden plots.
  
• Neighborhood Naming Opportunities
  A Neighborhood Naming Subcommittee has been recently formed to explore naming opportunities for the neighborhood. Subcommittee proposes to include neighborhood residents, home & business owners, school children, and community citizens, to recommend appropriate name(s) online for the Neighborhood Naming Committee’s consideration and recommendation(s) to the Mayor and City Council. Pettigrew Heights Resolution #16-08 adopted by City Council on 2-04-08.
  
• South Dakota Multi-housing Association Classes
  “Basics of Property Ownership” class offered to the general public, including neighborhood rental owners and managers, on relative to city ordinances, code enforcement, improving tenant relations and recycling. Classes offered September 26, 2007 and planned for March 5, 2008.
  
• Establishment of Technical Finance Subcommittee
  20 members representing eight local area retail banks,two housing partnership agencies, and city staff, have met three times within the past two months to discuss finance strategies for Neighborhood Conservation Area Program.
  
• Development of a “Tool Box” for the Neighborhood Conservation Area Program
  SDMHA “Basics of Property Ownership” class. 32 participants Spring 2008.
  Enhance multi cultural tenant education and self-sufficiency (TESS) programs;
  Increase marketing for multi-family property owners, landlords, managers and renters to be made aware of financial education programs.
  
• Design Charrette for 11th Street Corridor Redevelopment Concepts – Architecture INC - April 23, 2008.
  
• Sioux Falls Seminary – May 7, 2008
  Sioux Falls Seminary President Michael Hagan and Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson stood at the apex of that spiral Wednesday at a podium on the lawn outside the former Summit Oaks Center at 12th Street and Summit Avenue.
  
  Mr. Hagan and Mayor Munson announced the seminary's purchase of the building, which will be remodeled to house as many as 11 seminary students. In return for low-cost housing, those students will become a multi focused human resource for the Pettigrew Heights and Whittier neighborhoods as well as the surrounding area.
  
  It's the latest in a large city effort to invigorate the area near downtown, which has included neighborhood cleanups, an increased police presence and the city purchasing options on run-down properties for possible redevelopment.
  
  Mr. Cory Grimm, who will graduate from Sioux Falls Seminary this spring and is serving as an interim pastor in Alcester, will be the Summit Oaks Project resident director. He will live at the center with his wife and three children.