COMMUNITY FIRST IMPRESSIONS...longer heavily polluted, the recreational possibilities are endless....
Transcript of COMMUNITY FIRST IMPRESSIONS...longer heavily polluted, the recreational possibilities are endless....
COMMUNITY FIRST IMPRESSIONS A PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT & IMPROVEMENT
South Main Neighborhood, Waterbury, CT September-December, 2015
First Impressions completed by:
University of Connecticut, Urban and Community Studies 2000 Students
Richard Brito, Isaiah Bryan, Janylis Costas, Matthew Gallagher, Brittany Gilkes, Kleo Hasimllari, Bryana Kilpatrick, Anthony Luzio, Richard Pierce, Howard Sanders, Charlotte
Udensi, Alex Viel, Jasmine Wade, Taylor Walker, Tamara Wilfong. Overseen by Professor Ruth Glasser, Department of Urban and Community Studies, Associate Extension Educator
Laura Brown, Department of Extension.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 2
TableofContentsExecutivesummary....................................................................................................................3Priortoarrival.............................................................................................................................4The5-Minuteimpression............................................................................................................9Neighborhoodentrances..........................................................................................................10Housing......................................................................................................................................11Businessandeconomy..............................................................................................................16Education,health,socialandemergencyservices ...........................................................21Government,infrastructure,&landuse...................................................................................28Recreation,faith,&culture.......................................................................................................34Informationfromresidents.......................................................................................................36Usingyoursenses......................................................................................................................42Wrap-up....................................................................................................................................47Howtoreadthisreport: =Assetsoropportunities =Obstaclesorchallenges
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ExecutivesummaryWhatarethetopassetsorpotentialopportunitiesavailabletothiscommunity?
1. Takeadvantageofvacantlandandabandonedbuildingsfornewdevelopment:TheSouthEndhasendlessopportunitywiththevacantland.Thisprovidesthecommunitywithanareatodeterminewhatislackingintheneighborhoodincludingpublic,privateorcommercialspaceneeds.
2. Providetrainingforresidentsinskillsthatwillfacilitatedevelopment,suchasconstructionandleadershiptraining.
3. ConsiderGreenbeltdevelopmenttotakeadvantageoflocalriveraccess.Withtherivernolongerheavilypolluted,therecreationalpossibilitiesareendless.Familiescanfinallyhaveacommonsharedspacetointeractandenjoynature.
4. Takeadvantageoflocation.Linkedbetweendowntown,thehighwaysystem,andNaugatuck,theSouthEndhaspotentialforbusinesspatrons.Theareaiseasilyaccessibleforpeopleinsurroundingcommunities.
Otheropportunities:• Thenearbyschoolisattractiveforparentswithyoung
children.• Buildlowercost,affordablehousing• Rehabexistingparkspacesinsteadofbuildingnewones
Whatarethebiggestobstaclesorchallengesfacingthecommunity?
1. Soilandwaterpollution.Includestrash,contaminatedlandandbrownfieldsthatrequirelotsofinvestmenttodevelop.Becausetheimmensecostofremediatingtheland,littleprogressismade.
2. Lackofcommunityparticipation,uninformedorunmotivatedresidents.Manyoftheresidentsalsoarenotinformed.Illinformedresidentsarenotlikelytoactivelyparticipateinchange.Illinformedresidentsonlyperpetuatethenegativefeelingsoftheneighborhood.Evenifchangeoccurs,theneighborhoodmustcombatgentrification.Risinghomeandrentpriceswillforceoutlongtimeresidentsandwillbereplacedbyamoreaffluentclassofpeople.
3. Lackofaccessibilityintheneighborhood.Despitetheneighborhood'sgreatlocationnearhighways,itlackspublictransportation,bikelaneselderlyandhandicappedaccess
4. Poverty.5. Vacantlandandabandonedbuildings.Asnotedthisisanopportunityandanassetbutthese
areeyesoresintheneighborhood.MuchvacantlandintheSouthEndistheresultofabsenteeownership.Whenpeopleandorganizationsinquireabouttheland,theownerscannotbelocatedorcontacted.Thismakesitverydifficultfordevelopmenttotakeplace.
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PriortoArrivalWhatisyourimpressionoftheNeighborhoodbeforeyourupcomingvisit?Whatareyouexpectingtosee?Sharesomeofwhatyouknowaboutthisneighborhood.
• Iexpecttoseeforeclosedhomes,buildingsindisrepair,andgeneraleyesores.Thoughthelevelofdangermaybelow,theareahasaperceptionofeconomicdeprivation.Ialsoexpecttoseeamixofsmallbusinesses,mainlyintheformofconveniencestores,basedonmypriorknowledgeofthearea.
• Iusedtoliveontheexactstreetweareworkingfrom,soIknowalotofthepeoplethere.Iknowalotofthehomesandhavebeeninquiteafewofthemaswell.Iknowoutofwhichhousesdrugsaresold,andwhichapartmentbuildingtostayawayfrom.Iknowthepoliceactivity,orlackthereof,andthewayoflifeformostpeoplethere;thatwayoflifebeingstate"assisted."Iknowthattherearemanyillegalimmigrantslivinginthearea,andthehousetheyalllivein.Iknowwhitepeopledonotbelongthereandthecopsareawareofthisaswell,asIwasroutinelystoppedwhilewalkingintheneighborhoodandasked"Whereareyoufrom?""What'reyoudoinghere?""Doyouknowanyonewholiveshere?""Whatdoyourparentsdoforwork?"etc./Myimpressionoftheneighborhood'seconomicconditioniswretched.Theareaandthepeoplearenotasbadasonemaythink,thoughtheyarenotthetypeofpeopletohavethatstatementtestedon.
• Lowincome,lowerclassfamilies.Badneighborhoods,life-lessneighborhood,abandonedhousesandboarded-upbuildings.Noparksoractivitiesforchildren.Oldfactories.Vacantlots.
• I'mawarethatWaterburyisfullofLatinossoI’mexpectingtoseemanypeopleofLatindescent.Iknowthecityisold,withmanyabandonedbuildingsthatwereoncefactories,andmanyofthestreetsaremessedup.
• BecausetherearefewwaystogatherinformationaboutthecurrentstateofWaterbury'sSouthEndonline,muchofitsreputationisbasedonwordofmouth.Aswithmanyneighborhoodswithlowerincomeresidents,Ihavehearditcriticizedforhavinghighcrimeratesandpoorlymaintainedproperties.Peopleoftenoverlookthepositiveaspectsofthesetypesofneighborhoodsbecausetheirissuesaresowellknown.
• Ihonestlydidn'tknowmuchaboutthisneighborhoodbeforeIvisited.Iexpectedadiverse,small,walkableneighborhoodwithsomelimitedretailoptions,andmainlylow-incomerentalhousing.
• Beforevisitingtheneighborhood,Iexpecttoseehousesthatarenotcompletelybad,butcouldstandtobeimproved.IexpecttoseealargeLatinopopulationbutalsowithamixtureofCaucasiansandAfricanAmericanspresentaswell.WhenIthinkoftheneighborhoodIalwaysthinkofitasaplacewheretherearealwayspeoplepresent.Manypeoplemaybejustwalkingaroundtheneighborhoodwithothers.
• Theimpressionoftheneighborhoodisthatitseemsimpoverished,perhapslackinginresources.Iseealotofundevelopedareasandnotalotofusefulshopsorbusinesses.
• Iamexpectingittobeanareathatisunderdeveloped.Iexpecttoseesomeabandonedbuildingsandvacantlots.Idonotknowanythingabouttheneighborhood.
• FromwhatIhaveheardabouttheneighborhood,Iamexpectingtoseesomeabandonedbuildings.ThereasonforthisisbecausetheneighborhoodhaslostmanypeopleandjobssincetheconstructionofI-84.Inaddition,Ihaveheardthereissomecrimeinthearea.Myoverallimpressionoftheareaissomewhatnegative.
• Iexpecttoencounteranurbancommunitywithalotoffreelandduetotheamountofbuildingsthatmayhavebeenpreviouslyknockeddownorabandoned.
• PriortovisitingIexpectedtoseeanormalurbanneighborhood.Aneighborhoodfilledwithchildren,playgrounds,icecreamtrucks...etc.,butwhatIsawwasfarfromthat.IamnotveryfamiliarwithWaterburyasidefromtheareaimmediatetotheUCONNcampussoIwascluelesstotherestofthe
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areas,especiallySouthEnd.• Ibelieveitisgoingtobeapoorneighborhood,becausethepeoplewholivetherearelowincome,and
Ialsohaveheardthatthereisnotashoppingplazainthatneighborhood,norarethereanygoodrestaurantsorsupermarkets.
• IamnotreallyfamiliarwithWaterburyperiodbecauseIamnotfromhere,but,priortomyarrival,Iexpectedtheneighborhoodtobeveryurban.IthoughtthatIwasgoingtoseeapartmentbuildings,soIwassurprisedthatIsawsomanyhouses.Iknewthattherewasgoingtobeavastamountofabandonedbuildingsorlots.However,IdidnotthinkthatIwasonlygoingtoseeonebigchurchbecauseinmyneighborhoodthereisoneoneverycorner.
Searchdestinationandtourisminformationviawebsitesandsocialmedia.Iftheneighborhoodhasawebsitewriteithere:• Icouldn’tfindone/theareadoesnothaveitsownwebsiteorsocialmediapresence.*• http://www.brasscitylife.org/southend/default.htm• www.freewebs.com/brasscity/southend/htm.• MattatuckMuseum,WaterburyTimeMachine.Brasscitylife.org
Gradeandcommentontheneighborhoodwebsiteforitsappearance,usefulness,andcredibilityofinformation:Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
• Ididnotfindawebsitefortheneighborhood.*• Sitesfoundwerenotveryuseful.Weneedawebsitewithalotofinformationonthecommunity.• IthasmanynicepicturesandquotesbutIamnotsuretheamountofcredibilitythesiteholds.• Notveryuseful.Verybroadhistoryofthesouthendneighborhood.• Theappearanceofthewebsiteisfairlydecentandeasytonavigate.Theusefulnessofthewebsiteis
good,ifyouwanttolearnaboutthehistoryoftheSouthEnd,butthisinformationdoesnotseemtogopasttheconstructionofI-84.Thewebsite'sinformationiscredible,becauseIhavereadtheinformationonothersites,aswellasheardolderpeoplewhomoncelivedaroundtheresaysimilarthings.
• Thewebsitewasveryusefulinprovidinginformationonhowthecommunitylookedinthepastratherthanthepresent.
• ItwasdifficulttofindinfoonSouthEnd.IfinallyfoundsomehistoryandcommentsonitfromtheMattatuckMuseumbutitstilltookalotofdiggingtofindthatlittlepieceofinformation.
• Ilovedhowthehomepagejustgrabbedmyattentionwithallofthepicturesandhedetailstodescribethepicturesrightafter.
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Gradeandcommentontheusefulnessandcredibilityofinformationyouobtainedaboutthecommunitythroughsocialmedia(Facebook,Twitter,etc.):Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
• Notapplicable,nosocialmediapresence.*
Identifyandcommentonanyotherwebsitesoronlinesourcesyouused.Wasthereinformationyoulookedforbutcouldnotfindonline?
• Brasscitylife.org/Mattatuckmuseum.org/WaterburyTimeMachine//ThewebsitesaboveprovidedahistoryofthegeneralSouthEnd.Originallyamixed-useindustrialareawithbusinessesandresidents,theindustrialdeclineintheUnitedStatesdevastatedthearea.OnceprimarilyaYankeeandIrishsettlement,theSouthEndhasseenapopulationshifttomorePortugueseandHispanicresidents.Amoreexactbreakdowncurrentlybynationaloriginnotavailable.AnexactdefiningdistrictalsounavailableabouttheSouthEndofWaterbury.
• IusedWaterburyTimeMachine'swebsiteanditprovidedalotofinformation,thoughIuseditmostlyforpictures,attemptingtofindanyfromtheareathatwearestudying.
• www.point2homes.comwasagreatwebsiteforstatisticsordemographics./Waterburytimemachine/Mattatuckmuseum
• There’snotalotofinformationontheSouthEndasthereisonWaterburyasawhole.Igotmoreinformationfrompeoplewholivethereandhavecommentedonthesitethanthesiteitself.
• DetailedinformationabouttheSouthEndiscompiledintodatawhichdescribestheentirezipcodeof06706,meaningitismoredifficulttogetanaccuratepictureofdemographics,crimerates,etc.inthisarea.MostinformationabouttheSouthEndavailableonlinediscussesitshistory,butnotitscurrentstate.
• Ididresearchonthezipcode,butthenrealizedthatthestatisticsunderthezipcodearemuchgreaterthanjusttheSouthEndneighborhood.IalsodidresearchonBrasscitylife.organddidn'treallyfindmuch.ButIwillcontinuetochangesearchandfindmuchmoreinformation.IalsowentonWaterburyTimeMachineandfoundthehistoryonWaterburySouthEndneighborhood.
• HistoryoftheSouthEndparticularlywasunavailable,aswellasasitedirectingmetocommunityresources.
• Yes.Thereisnotmuchinformationregardingthesouthendneighborhoodspecifically.• http://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/CT/Waterbury/South-End-Waterbury-
Demographics.html/WasanotherwebsiteIusedtofindoutvariousstatisticssuchasthemedianandaverageincome,maritalstatus,educationalstatistics,andcrimestatistics.
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• MattatuckMuseumwasthemostusefulonmysearch.IcouldnotfindanycommunitywebsitesforSouthEnd.Thatwouldhavebeenveryuseful.
• Onpoint2homes.com,IfoundalotofdatastatisticsregardingtheSouthEnd.Someofthemwereabouttheemploymentrate,theeducationlevel,maritalstatusandtheincomestatus.
• http://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/CT/Waterbury/South-End-Waterbury-Demographics.html/Thiswebsitegavemealotofinformationaboutthedifferenttypesofjobs,maritalstatus,incomes,andeducationthatpeoplewholiveinthisneighborhoodhas.Forexample,Ifoundoutthatnearly2,000peoplewholiveheredonothaveahighschooldiploma.Ialsofoundoutthattherearemorewhite-collarjobsthanblue-collarjobs.
Ifyoucontactedthecommunitytourisminformationofficeorvisitor’sbureauviaemailorphone,gradeandcommentonthefriendlinessandhelpfulnessofstaff.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
• Icouldnotfindthis.Notapplicable.*
IdentifythesenseofthecommunityyouhavefromtheonlineresearchONLY.Whatisyourgutreaction?Wouldyouwanttovisittherewithfamilyorfriends?Doesthiscommunityseemtowelcomeyouorotherstovisitorlivethere?Whyorwhynot?Consideryourincome,age,interests,hobbies,family,health/disabilities,race,andethnicityinyourresponse.
• Idon'tthinkIwouldwalkthroughforastroll.However,IbelieveIwouldbewillingtolive
there,alone,forthesakeofitsproximitytothecenteroftown.• Wellitseemslikeaverywelcomingplacebecauseoftheracialmakeupofthearea.Ithasalot
ofHispanicssoIfeelthatIwouldbeabletofitinverywellasaHispanicmale.Iwouldliketovisitandlookatsomeoftheoldabandonedfactoriesthatusedtostandandserveapurposeonce.
• Fromagutreaction,theneighborhoodissufferingfromindustrialdeclineandthedisplacementfromtheInterstate-84construction.Becausetheneighborhooddoesnothavealistofbusinessesoractivitiesavailable,Iwouldnotvoluntarilyvisitthearea.Thereisnoadvertisingorincentivetovisittheareaforamaleinhistwenties.
• MygutreactionisthatIknowIwillbefinebecauseIamusedtotheenvironmentofpovertyandstruggle.Theotherclassmates,however,Ifeelconcernedfor,becausemanycomefrombackgroundssuchasBeaconFallsandWatertown,neverhavingseenthislifestyleexceptmaybeinTVshowsorinquickpassingofasimilarareaatsomepointintheirlives.
• Itusedtobeasuccessfulplacesociallyandeconomically.Iwouldnotwanttovisittherewith
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familyorfriends.Thisneighborhooddoesnotseemwelcomingorattractiveandappealing.Iwouldn'tfitinlivinginthesouthend.Ilikeentertainmentandstufftodo.Thiscommunityisdeadandlifeless,andinneedofrevival.
• Theneighborhoodisn'tsobad,itjustneedsalotofmaintenance.Ihonestlywouldn'twanttolivethere,butit’saplaceIwouldvisitifIhavetoowithoutfeelinguneasyaboutit.
• IftheSouthEndisastroubledassomepeoplesayitis,theonlyreasontolivetheremaybecheaporsubsidizedhousing.Itisfarfromidealasatouristdestination,evenforlocaltravelers.Iamfortunatetohavethefinancialsupportofmyparents,butIcanseehowthesetypesofneighborhoodsmaybetheonlyoptionsforlow-incomeindividualsandfamilies.
• WhenreadingthearticlehandedoutinclassInoticedthatitstatedthatSouthEndneighborhood,afteralongtimeofnotbeingheard,islookingtofinditsvoice.Thatkindofrepresentsasenseofcommunity,seeingthatinordertogetamissionaccomplished,everyonemustbeonthesamepageandwantthesamethings.Butwiththerestofmyresearch,asofnow,Ididnotfindmuchaboutasenseofcommunity.SinceIdidnotfindmuch,Ifigurethattheydonotreallycometogetheronmanythingswhennecessary.
• Iwouldnotconsiderthisanidealdestinationforvisiting.Thereisnostrongpulltobringmethere,anditseemsveryclosedupandlackinginresources.
• Theneighborhoodisnotinviting.Iwouldnotwanttovisit.Thereisnothingthatwouldattractoutsidevisitorstotheneighborhood.
• ThefeelingorsenseabouttheSouthEndfrommyonlineresearchisthatitwasonceagreatplacetolive,butnowitdoesnotseemtobe.Theareahasaboveaveragecrime,whichformeisadeterrentforgoingtherewithfamilyorfriends,andcouldarguablysaidisnotwelcomingformyselforotherstogoandlivethere.Inaddition,thenumberofabandonedbuildings,someofwhichwerefactories,maketheSouthEndapossiblehealthrisk.
• Iamnotexpectingtheneighborhoodtobetoobadordangerous.Mygutistellingmetogoandexploretoseeitformyself.IwouldnotwanttobringmyfriendsorfamilythereuntilIcheckitoutformyself.Ithinktheneighborhoodwillbeunwelcomingtooutsidersbecause,fromwhatIgatheredonline,itismostlyfamilyorientedandcloseknit,sotheresidentsmightbehesitanttowelcomeoutsidersin.
• TherearenoactivitiestodointheSouthEnd,becausetherearenostores,clubs,orparkstovisit.ThereisabsolutelynothingtodoattheSouthEndandIwouldnevercometheretovisitwithfamilyorfriends.
• IfeelthatthisneighborhoodisnothingmorethanwhatIamusedtoseeingaroundwhereIlive.Idonotfeeluncomfortablebeinghere,nordoIfeelunwelcomed.Isaythisbecausetheplaceisveryurban.InoticedthatthereareavastamountofLatinosandAfricanAmericansthatliveinthispartoftown.WhereIcomefrom,thatisallthatyousee.YoumayseesomeWhitepeoplebutnotmany.Mygutreactionisthattheneighborhoodisactuallyverybig.Iwouldgotherewithmyfamilyandfriends,justsoIcanmeetnewpeopleandtryoutthedifferentrestaurantsthatImaynothavearoundmyhome.
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5-minuteimpressionEnterthecommunitythroughthedesignatedrouteandtakea5-minutedrivewithoutstopping.Whatwasyourfirstimpression?Findaplacetosafelypullovertothesideoftheroadandwritedownwhatyoufeltaboutthecommunity.
• LookingaroundtheSouthEnd,itwasapparentthatthehomesthatareinaverageconditionaredwarfedbytheabandonedbuildings.Thehomesandbuildingsindilapidatedshapedrasticallylowertheperceptionofthearea.Thereisanabundanceofovergrownweedsinsidewalkareasaswellasthevacantproperties.Thereisalsoanabundanceoflitteronthevacantlots.
• ItisjustasdirtyaswhenIlivedthere.Onthedayofarrivaltherewerefewerpeopleoutthannormal.Theroadsareterribletodriveon,thenormfortheentiretyofWaterbury.Thereistrashandgraffitieverywhere.Thepeopleareseverelyconcernedwithourpresence.Nopoliceoremergencyresponderswereseenanywhere.TherewasalotofvehicletrafficasitisSouthMainStreet.Therearethreeschoolsintheimmediatewalkingdistance;one(visible)church;andveryfewbusinesses(heavytruckmechaniccontractedbythecity,acornerstore,andonetakeoutrestaurant).
• Myfirstimpressionwasthattherearealotofabandonedbuildings.Somebuildingsareokaybutthenthehousenextdoorisdestroyedorboardedup.Thiscausesthevalueoftheneighborhoodtodecrease.Therewerealotof“forrent”signs,whichIperceivedasnoonewantingtolivethere.Ialsonoticedtherearealotofvacantlotsandemptyspacesthatcouldeasilybeturnedintosomethinglikeaparkorparkinglot.Thereweren'tmanypeopleout,maybeduetothetime.Therewasalotoftrafficanditwasverynoisyoncertainstreets.Therewasalotoftrashallovertheplace,whichwasunpleasant.
• Myfirstimpressionwhilewalkingaroundtheneighborhoodisthattherearemanyabandonedbuildingandhouses.Thestreetsaredirtyandsmellyduetothelimitedpresenceoftrashcans.Manyhouseshaverentsignsonthefront,andbasketballhoopsonthegarages.Myconclusionisthatthestreetsaren'tsafeforchildren,sotheyneedtobeentertainedinsidethehouse,alsoasaresultoftherebeingnoparksaroundtheneighborhood.
• Despitemany"NOLITTERING"signs,thestreetswerestrewnwithlitter.Thedamagedandabandonedpropertiesaremixedtogetherwithrespectablehomesandbusinesses.Theneighborhoodhasan"opendoor"culture,asmanypeoplewalkedthestreetsanddoorswereleftopen(possiblyduetotheheat).
• Myfirstimpressionoftheneighborhoodwasthatitwasintransition.Whilethereseemstobealotofblightedandneglectedproperties,Ialsoseesomeinvestmentandnewerhousingdevelopmentalongthemainstreet.Therearemanypeoplewalkingonthestreetandpatronizingthebusinesseshere.Thisseemslikealivelyplace.
• Myfirstimpressionoftheneighborhoodwasthatitlookedliketherewasawholebunchoftrashscatteredaroundeverywhere.Inoticedalotbrokenglassandwindows.Itwasasifpeopledidn'tevenliveinthesehousesanymore.Thebuildingslookedliketheywerecompletelyabandoned,buttherearepeoplelivinginthem.
• Myfirstimpressionisthattheneighborhoodhadgoodqualitiesbutlookedlikeitneededafreshcoatofpaintandsomelandscaping,aswellasanoverhaulinpublicspaces.
• Myfirstimpressionwasthatitwasaneighborhoodthatwasstrugglingfinancially.
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• Theneighborhoodhasafewabandonedbuildingsandvacantlots.Therearealotofdogs;peoplemaybegettingthemaspetsbecauseithelpsthemfeelsafethere.Notthegreatestlookingneighborhoodbyanymeans,butitdidgiveofftheimpressionthatitcouldbefixed.
• Iessentiallythoughtthattheneighborhoodwasveryloudandalwayshadsomethinggoingonratheritbebecauseoftheconstantnoisewiththecarsridingby,loudmusic,ortheanimalsintheneighborhood.
• Poverty.Garbagelitteredthesidewalks,streets,andfields.Abandonedbuildingswereturnedintogarbagedumps.
• Theplacelookedreallypoor,thehouseslookedoldandstreetswereprettybad.Ididseeaconveniencestoreandtworestaurants,alsoatireshoparoundthecorner,andaHomeDepot,butjudgingbythelooksofthehousesIdon'tthinkthesepeoplegothere.
• MyfirstimpressionisthatthisneighborhoodisveryUrban.Iamusedtobeinginaneighborhoodthathasemptylotsandabandonedbuildings.Ialsonoticedthatnotalotofpeopleareoutside.
CommunityentrancesApproachthecommunityfromtheothermajorentrances.Gradeandcommentoneachentrance.Whiletheremaybeanobviousmainentrance,therearetypicallymultiplewaystoenteracommunity.Insomecommunitiestheremaybeentrancesforothermodesoftransportation.
Note-DataoncommunityentrancesisavailableonrequestfromUConnExtension.
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HousingDescribetheresidentialhousingmixintheneighborhood(apartment,townhouses,single-family,multi-family,etc.).
• Theneighborhoodisamixofmulti-familyhousingintheeastandwhatappearstobesinglefamilyhousinginthewest.OnMillStreettherearemanydilapidatedlookingsinglefamilyhousingaswell.
• ThehousingisallverydifferentmeaningtheyhaveapartmentsbuttheyalsohavethelittlecomplexliketheLoyolahousing,whichisanaffordablehousingcomplex.
• Loyolahasasubstantialblockofaffordablehousing.OntheEastsideofSouthMainSt,houseswith3to4apartmentsaretypical.Fewbusinessesoccupythissideandveryfewsingleresidentoccupieddwellings.1apartmentbuildingnotedwith,8-10apartmentsover4 floors.TheWestsideofSouthMainStreethasasimilarhousing setupwithmorecommercialactivitypresent.
• Mosthousesintheareaaremultifamilyhousing.Thiscan clearlybeseenbythemultipledoorsondifferentlevels,mailboxesonthefront,andnumerousaddressnumbers. Thereareacoupleofapartmentbuildings,butnotasmanyas themultifamily(generally3story)housing.Mygroupobservedonehousethathasstrongsignsofasingle familyunit,thoughwecouldalwaysbewronginthat,anditwas, inourunanimousopinion,thebestlookinghouseinthearea. Wetheorizethatthelackofupkeepontheotherhouses,however,isnotduetotheresidents,butthelandlords. Onecansee,though,bothsidesofthecoinforwhoisto blame(residentvslandlord)
• TherewasonesinglefamilyhomeonEastDoverStreet.Theareawecoveredwasmostlymadeupofmultifamilyhouses.Therewereseveralcluesthatletusknowtheywer emultifamilysuchasthenumberofmailboxes,doors,andtrashcans.Therewasveryfewapartmentsand1townhouseacrossthestreetfromtheareawecovered.
• TherewasonlyonesinglefamilyhouseonEastDoverStandsomeapartmentsonEastLibertyStandEastMainStbutthemajorityaremultifamilyhousing.
• Mostoftheresidentialhousingismultifamilyhousing.Thereareafewsingle-familyhousesinthearea,butmostpeopleliveintownhousesandapartments.Themajorityofthesebuildingsareold,buttherearesomenewerdevelopmentsinthearea.
• Inoticeddowntownthattherearealotofapartments.Sinceitisadowntownsetting,Ididexpecttoseealotofapartmentsandmultifamilyhouses.
• Residentialhousingismostlymadeupofapartments.• Mostlymultifamilyhousesandtownhouses.• Mostofthehomesseemtobeverysmallandhaveabandonedhomesnexttothem,alsotherearemany
apartmentcomplexeswhichmakeupforthesomeofthehousingthatisnotinthisspecificarea.• Thenewerhomesarebuiltmorelikeapartments.Theolderhomesresemblemulti-familyhouses.• AlltheapartmentsIsawattheSouthEndweremostlymultifamilyhomesownedbythepersonthemselves
andmostofthemwereinprettybadcondition,youcouldtellbylookingatthemthattheywereprettyold.Therewastrasheverywhereinthestreetsnearby;thelandscapewasreallybad.
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• Theareathatmygroupvisitedlastweekwasfilledwithmainlyoneormultifamilyhouses.Ididnotseeanyapartmentsoreventownhouses.
Gradeandcommentontheoverallquality,affordability,andavailabilityofhousinginthecommunity.
Gradeandcommentontheconditionofthefollowing:
Whatarethemostappealingandleastappealingfeaturesofthehousing?Why?
• Themostappealingfeatureintheneighborhoodisthatthereissomepotentialinthearea.Therearemanyabandonedlotsthatcouldbeusedforbuildingnewhousing.Unfortunately,theleastappealingfeatureoftheneighborhoodisthelackofeconomicopportunityinthearea.
• Theyardsarefullofweedsanddebris;however,mostoftheissuesseemtobewiththehousesthemselves,astheownersdon’ttakecareofthem.Factoriesnearbyalsoexacerbatethesituation.
• TheSouthEndhasessentiallyfilledtheexistingbuildingstocapacity.Thehousingoftenneedscosmeticimprovement,suchaswindowreplacementorsidingreplacement.Themostsignificantbenefitofthisneighborhoodistheavailabilityofspacefornewconstruction.Theneighborhoodcoulduseabettermixofbusinessestohelpmakehousingmoreappealing.
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• Themostappealingfeatureswouldbethesidingandwindowsonsomeofthehousesthatshowaclearconcernforappearanceoftheirbuilding.Eveniftheentireinsideofahouseisguttedandvile,somenicesidinganddecentwindowscanmakeamilliondollarhouse.Minimalupkeepisusuallyallittakestokeepaneighborhoodlookingnice;unfortunately,however,mosttenantsandownersdonotseemtosharethisenthusiasmandthebuildingsthenlackthemaintenancerequired.Leastappealingwouldbethehousesthatareabandoned.Brokenwindows,graffiti,boardedupeverything,possiblyfiremarkingsandchar,brokensidewalks,etc.
• ThemostappealinghouseIsawwastheredhouseIsawwhileroamingthetown.Itlooksasifthehomeownerorresidentmaintainitverywell.
• Idon’tfindmuchofanythingveryappealing,buttheleastappealingfeaturesofthehousingareallthesatellitesthatyoucanseeontopofthehouses,showinghowovercrowdedthehousesare.
• Newerdevelopments,whilemoreexpensive,havebreathedsomenewlifeintotheneighborhood.Unfortunately,foreverynewdevelopment,thereareatleast3buildingsthatareworthyofdemolitionduetotheirpoorconditionandage.
• Themostappealingaspectisthatthehousingislocatedinspotsthatarenottoobad.Theleastappealingisthequalityofthehouses.ThecertainhousesseenintheneighborhoodarenotofgreatqualityunlesstheyarelocatednexttoLoyola.
• Leastappealingisthelookandsurroundingsofthehouse.Therearenoappealingfeatures.• Somebuildingsareeitherunkemptorabandoned,whileotherslookgreat.Raisesthequestionof
thelevelofcareofsomeresidents.• Themostappealingfeaturesofthehouseswouldbethespaciousness,andtheleastappealing
wouldbetheclutterandtheclotheshangingoutsideofthesehomes.Ibelievethatclothesshouldhanginabackyardratherthaninthefrontorsideofyourhouse
• Someofthehouseshadprettydecentlawnworkinfront.Ithadlittleflowergardensandfreshlymowedgrass,butsomeofthehouseswerenotaswellputasthelawn.
• Ilikedthefactthatsomehouseshadsomespacewheretheycoulddosomelandscaping,butagain,itistheincomethatthesepeoplemakethatshowswhatkindofhousetheyhave.Alsoalotofpeopleowneddogsinthehouses,andyoucouldtellthatthehouseswereprettyoldjustbylookingatthem.
• Themostappealingfeatureofthehousingisthattherewasnotasmuchtrashthrownaroundinthefrontofit.Theleastappealingfeatureisthatthehouseslookedveryold.
ADDITIONALQUESTIONS:Whatwouldyousayaretheneighborhood'sgreatestassetsandbiggestchallengesrelatedtohousing?
• Thespeakersdiscussedthestrengthsandweaknessesofmultifamilyhousing,suchasthe"stopandgothrough"mentalityofrenterswhoarenotcommittedtothecommunity,andthepotentialfornearbypropertiestobere-purposedforhousing.Theyalsodiscussedthelacklusterconditionoftheland,specificallytheissueofbrownfields,intheSouthEndandthedifficultiesofdealingwithdiverseanddividedpopulations.
• VictorLópez–Believesthatthelocation,history,andpeoplethatlivethereareassets.Challengestohousingarethelackofemployers,notenoughspace,thebrownfieldsareexpensivetorepurpose,andthereisasenseofitbeingatransientcommunity.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 14
• Theassetstohousingintheneighborhoodarethemultiunitbuildings,thereisplentyofopportunityintheneighborhoodtoofferhousing.SomechallengesaretheBrownfields,whichneedtobeclearedandcleanedbeforetheycanbeused,andanapatheticcommunity.
• Oneparticipant-The“players,”alsoknownastheleadersandtheresidents,areassets.Challengeswithhousingarealackofjobs,thehousingstockistoolow,andtheneighborhoodneedsincreasedsustainability.Inordertomakethesechangespermanentastrongfoundationisneeded.Thefoundationwouldbechildren,jobs,andopportunities.
• Thehousingstockisaffordable,butitisold,thereisaccesstothetransportationsystem.Somechallengesaretherearepeoplewhodonotmaintaintheirproperties,andthetransportationsystemcangetcongestedattimes.
• Theneighborhoodsgreatestassetstowardhousingweresaidbytheentirepanelistthatthetransportationlocatedaroundthehousesisgreat.However,theyarepushingformorebusstopstobeplaced.Also,oneparticipantwassayingthatoneparticularchallengeisthatthereneedstobemoreaffordablehousing.Withthelackofjobs,itisnotpossibleforrenttobesocostlyinaneighborhoodthathasnorealsourceofincomecomingfrominsideofthecommunity.
• Oneparticipant-Greatestasset:thepoliticalplayersandcitizensthatfightforthecommunity.• Challenge:nogreenspace,notsomewhereyouwouldwanttosettledown,noathleticfieldsfor
kids,createopportunities.• Greatestasset:thepeopleandthehistoryofWaterburybecauseitusedtobethegateway.
Challenge:space• Greatestasset:renovation.Challenge:maintaininggreenspacesinurbansetting• Greatestasset:housingaffordable,greataccesstotransportation.Challenge:keepingpropertiesin
goodshapeandcongestion• Notenoughspaceandittakestime&moneytorefurbishtheland/space.• Peopledon'twanttolookatbrokendownfactories,sotherearen'tmanypeoplemovingintothe
area.• Anassetisthecityandgovernmentshowtheirsupport.• Therearestillmultifamilyhousingavailableforfamilies.• Accordingtooneparticipant,thegreatestassetsrelatedtohousingarethecity’shistory,people,
transportation,affordablehousingprogramslikeLoyola,alongwiththeresidentswhoarefightingtobringthecommunitybacktohowitwasmanyyearsago.ThebiggestchallengesmentionedbybothVictorsarespace,acquiringandredevelopingland,finance,maintenance,lackofjobs,credit,trustand“astrongfoundation.”
• Greatestassetisthecityitself,asWaterbury’smayorisverysupportiveofLoyola’sefforts.Greatestchallengeistryingtoacquirelandfromthecitythathasabsenteeownership.
• Greatestassetistheaffordabilityofthearea.Comparedtootherareas,propervaluesandrentareaffordable.TheSouthEndalsohasgreataccessbetweenthehighwaysystem,thedowntownaccess,andNaugatucktownline.Greatestchallengeisthefacttheolderhousinghasnotbeentakencareofproperlytomaintainstructuralintegrity.
• Greatestassetisthenumberofmulti-unitdwellingstohousemanyfamiliesandmanydifferentstructuresoffamilies.GreatestchallengeistheBrownfieldsitesfrompriorindustrialactivity,aswellasanapatheticcommunitystateofmind.
• GreatestassetisthehistorythatdefinesWaterburyandthepotentialithasintermsofemployment.GreatestchallengeistodeveloptheBrownfieldsitesforwhichnobodywantsto
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 15
assumeresponsibility.• Oneparticipant-Greatestassetisthecivicleadersthatrefusetoletthecurrentneighborhood
statustoperpetuate.GreatestchallengeisthelackoftransportationandemploymentintheSouthEnd.Ifpeopledonothavejobsorcannotgettowork,theycannotaffordhousing.
• Asset:thehistoryofWaterburyandtheSouthEnd.Challenge:landdevelopmentandbrownfields.• Morerentersthanowners.• Asset:thecityhasbeenverysupportiveoftheSouthEndandLoyola.Challenge:manybuildingsare
beingtakenbackbythecity.• Asset:westillhavemanymultifamilyhouses.Challenge:alotofpeopledonotwanttocometoa
citywheretherearealotofundevelopedspaces;peoplewanttoseechangebutdonotwanttohelpmakethechange.
• Oneparticipant-Asset:whoarethekeyplayerstryingtohelpbringthecityback?Challenge:SEisjustagoto;notaplacewhereyouwouldwanttostayandlive,andfindopportunitiesforchildren.
• Asset:thehousesareaffordable;SEhasgreataccesstohighways,buses,andothercities.Challenge:housesareold;thewintercausesstreetcongestion.
•
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 16
BusinessandEconomy• D.Thesignsdon’tcatchyoureyesandsomebusinessesdon’tevenhavesignsorany
informationonthem.• C.Thesignageofbusinesseswerenottoogreattheyhadhalfnakedwomenonpostersand
advertisedalcoholonthefrontandcigarettes. Gradeandcommentonthemixoffacilitiesandservices.
• C.Thereareadecentvarietyofbusinessesinthearea,butmanyservicescanonlybefound
outsideoftheneighborhood.• D.• Ididnotseeanyrecreationfacilitiesorparks.• B.Thereareavarietyofcarservices,constructionmaterials,food,andhairsalons.• Itseemslikethereisgreatvarietyofhousingandalsoagreatvarietyoffoodplaces.They
alsohavesometypeofflooringcompany.Asforretail,industry,andparks,therereallyaren’tmanythatareclose.
• B.Theareahasasurprisingamountofvariety,includinghousing,consultingservices,constructionsupply,apark,restaurants,andconveniencestores.
Gradeandcommentontheaccessibilityofmerchantsduringeveningandweekendhours.
• B• C.Thecornerstoresandrestaurantswhereopenfrom10amto8pm,MondaytoSaturday,
buteverythingisclosedonSunday.• Theaccessibilityofmerchantsisprettyreasonable,soIwouldgiveitaB.Theyareallmostly
openfrom10-8,Monday-Friday,SaturdaytheycloseearlierandSundaystheydonotwork.• C.Somebusinessesareopenuntil8pmbutareclosedonSundays.Mostbusinessesdonot
posthoursofoperation.Whatstoresorservicesthatyouwouldexpecttofindintheneighborhoodweremissing?
• Therewerefewshoppingoptions,meaningtheneighborhoodlikelydoesn'thavealargeamountofdisposableincome.MostretailneedsandhealthservicesarenotofferedwithintheSouthEnd.
• Therearen'tmanyplacestoshopbuttheplacestheydohaveprovideeverythingthatisneeded.
• Clothingstores,policestation,clinic,supermarket,furniturestore.• Isawalotofbusinessesmissing,suchasdrugstores,nearbyclinics,clothingstores,and
furniturestorestoo.Thesewereallnon-existentinthearea.• Basedonthedemographicsoftheneighborhood,Iamsurprisedthereisnoretailsuchas
clothing,children’stoys,orhardware.Consideringrecentuniversalhealthcare,Iamalso
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 17
surprisedthereisnolocalpharmacy.• Clothingstores,furniturestores,generalretail,sit-downrestaurants,lawyers,medical
services,etc.Gradeandcommentontheoverallconditionoftheretailsectorintheneighborhood.
• B,couldbemuchbetter• TheretailsectorgetsanFbecauseIdidnotcomeacrossanyretailstores.• C.Thereisamixedbagofbusinesses,somelookingratherdrab,andotherslookingclean
andreputable,althoughnonehadparticularlycompellingsignage.• F.Peopledon’tnormallygoshoppingforshinglesunlesstheyneedthem.• F.ConveniencestoresareonlyretailintheSouthEnd.Anyotherneedswouldrequiretravel
beyondboundariesofneighborhood.• Bad.Notmanystoresorservices.
Gradeandcommentonthevarietyofrestaurants.
• C.ThereareLatinandEcuadorianrestaurants,buttheotherfoodoptionsaresimplysupermarketsandconveniencestores.
• C,notmanyrestaurantsbutthereisaninterestingvarietyoffoodchoiceavailable.
• C.ThereareonlytwoHispanicrestaurantsonEastMainStreet,whichareopenalmostallday.
• IwouldratethevarietyoftherestaurantswithanA,becausethereisagoodamountofrestaurantsbutallofthemareSpanish.IdidnotseeanyThaifoodorIndianfoodsothereisnovariety.Thecostisprettylowandthelocationisprettygoodbecauseitisareasonablewalkingdistance.
• C.ThereareafewLatinorestaurantsintheneighborhood.OneisanEcuadorianrestaurantandthe2othersareofanunclearorigin.
• Therearerestaurantsofstylesthatarenotparticularlyeasytofindanywhereelse,andtheyareaffordable,butnotreallyinvitingorspaciousenoughtositdownin.
Whatemployersdidyoufindintheneighborhood?
• OtherthanthenearbyHomeDepot,mostofthebusinessesIsaw(restaurants,markets,taxservices,etc.)wouldnotsupplyanadequatenumberofjobsforthoseinthecommunity.
• Therearenomajoremployersinthisneighborhoodbecausethereareonlysmallbusinessesandnotevenmanyofthem.
• Almostnone,inourarea.Inthefewstoresandrestaurantsthatwerethere,therewereonlyoneortwoworkers.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 18
• Therearemanybusinesses,butnohelpwantedsigns,localemployers.Mostemploy1-2people.
• TherearereallynomajoremployerswithintheSouthEndneighborhood.Thereareonlycertainlittlerestaurantsandconveniencestoresthatabout2-3peopleworkin.Thestoresseemtobeemployeesthatlivewithintheneighborhood.
• Therearebanksmoreinthedowntownareasonotintheneighborhood,butveryclose.• Cardealerships,hairsalons,littlefoodrestaurants,cornerstores,ABC,ambulanceservice,
GallagherGlassandMirror,andHomeDepot.• IsawalotofHispanicemployers.IwouldsayitisbecausetheyhaveSpanishrestaurantsand
Spanishcornerstores.TheareaismainlyHispanics.• Thoughthereareseveralemployersintheneighborhood,thebusinessesappeartobesmall
inscalewithfewemployees.No‘helpwanted’signswerenoted.
Doesthereappeartobeaprimaryindustryortypeofbusinessintheneighborhood?
• Thisneighborhoodseemstobeprimarilysupportedbythefoodindustry.• Thereisnoprimaryindustryintheneighborhoodlike
therewasmanyyearsago.• Themainbusinessisthefoodbusiness.Thereisalso
sometypeofcardealershipandmechanicshopsaroundthearea,wheneverybodypreviouslydependedonthefactoriesandadvancedmanufacturing.
• Thefactories,whichoncesuppliedthousandsofjobs,arenowabandonedordestroyed,withnosignificantemployerstofillthegapleftbytheirabsence.
• Conveniencestoresappeartobetheprimary,ormostcommon,businessintheneighborhood.
• Theredoesn'tseemtobeanyprimaryindustriesintheareathatmygroupfocusedon.Therewereonlyafewstoresandonerestaurantthatwesaw.
• Yes;cardealerships,shops,andconstructionservices.
Istherelandwherebusinessescouldexpandorlocate?Wouldthisneighborhoodbeanattractivelocationforindustrialorbusinessdevelopment?
• Althoughtherearevacantlotsandpropertieswherefactoriesoncestood,itwouldcostmillionstoplanandcreateaprofitablebusinessinanyoftheseemptyspaces.
• Ibelievethatiftheplacewascleanedup,theareawouldbemoreattractiveinallaspects.Therearealotofplacesopenforbusinessestoopensuchasthistorndowncompanyandotherabandonedandvacantbuildings.Itwouldbejustveryexpensivetostartupthesebusinesses.
• Thereisland,butruinsaresittingontopofmostofthem.Thereisnotmuchpullfornewbusinessestocomein,asthereisn'talotoffoottrafficorpeople,andthere'snotalotofmonetarygainonecouldgrabfromthisarea.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 19
• Yes,thereisplentyoflandwherebusinesscouldexpandbecauseofthespaceswhereabandonedfactoriesoncewere.
• Thereisplentyoflandforbusinessdevelopment,abandonedbuildingsandvacantlots,butitisnotimmediatelyavailable.Morediversityinbusinesstypesneededintheneighborhood.Thereislittleopportunity.
• ThereisalargeareaopenthatIthinkafactorywasinbeforethatwastorndownandnowitiscompletelyempty.Thereisalsoanabandonedfactorythatcouldbetakendownandotherstorescouldbeputinplace.
• Thereisahugeemptylotwheredifferentindustriescouldlocateorexpand.Thisneighborhoodwouldnotbeanattractivelocationbecauseitistoosmall,soeverythingwouldseemlikeitiscluttered.
• ThereareemptyfactoriesthatcanbedemolishedandrebuiltforbusinessestodevelopJewelryStreet.Itwillhelptheneighborhoodbecomemoreattractivebycreatingjobsandinvitingvisitorstoshop.
Wouldthisneighborhoodbeanattractivelocationforindustrialorbusinessdevelopment?Whyorwhynot?
• Yes,becauseyouwouldbeabletobuildonthefreelandandcreateabetterspace.• Itwouldbeattractiveforindustrialdevelopmentbecausethereareemptylotswhichare
currentlyunused,andabandonedbuildingsthatcanberefurbishedandusedforbetterpurposes.
• Therearemanylotsthatarevacant,soprospectiveemployerscouldacquireinexpensiveland.However,thesitesaretypicallyunderdevelopedsorenovationswouldneedtobedonewhichmaydiscouragesomebusinessesfromcomingintothearea.Neighborhoodisnotgoodforentrepreneurialactivityascurrentbuildingsneedconsiderablerenovation.
ADDITIONALQUESTIONSFROMTHERESIDENTFOCUSGROUP:Whatwouldyousayaretheneighborhood'sgreatestassetsandbiggestchallengesrelatedtobusinessandretail?
• TherewasagreementthatthereweremanyneedsthatcouldbemetbynewbusinesseswithintheSouthEnd,butthespeakersrecognizedthatlow-incomemarketsaredifficulttoprofitfromandthatpotentialbusinessesareunwillingtoaimforlong-termsuccessoverquickerprofits.Thelogisticsofdevelopment,theprevalenceoflitterandpollution,andthedisappearanceofcommunity-drivenbusinesswereallcitedasreasonswhybusinessintheSouthEndhasslowed.
• Someassetstobusinessandretailisthatthereisaccess,inalocationthatisbeneficialtoabusiness,andthatthereisplentyofspacetostartabusinessofalargesize.Challengesarebrownfields,whicharecontaminatedandneedtobecleanedbeforeuse,andthatthereisnotalotofrawlandwithnothingonit.
• Oneparticipant-Achallengeisthatmoneyisneededfordemolition,cleaning,andothervariousconstructiontasks;anotherchallengeisthatthepeopleintheneighborhoodareonafixedincome.
• Onebenefittobusinessandretailareaccess.WouldliketoopenanUrbanArtsandChildren
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 20
Museum.Onechallengeistheissueofpeopleburningtrash.• Assetswouldbethatweareknownforoursuccessfulremediationofbrownfields.Challenges
wouldbethatsmallbusinessisneededhere;butwithpeopleoflimitedincome,itwouldbedifficultforpeopletospendmoneyatthesebusinesses.Willtaketimetofixtheproblems,butithaspotential.
• InoticedthatjustabouteveryoneofthepanelistssaidthatthegreatestchallengeintheSouthEndneighborhoodwasthelackofspaceandlackofjobs.Iremembermanyofthepanelistssayingthattheworstthingsintheneighborhoodwerethebrownfields.ThebrownfieldstookalotofmoneyandeffortandthatwasthebiggestthinggettinginthewayofthosetryingtoworkintheSouthEnd.Alsoalackofjobscontributestothelackofmoney,asoneparticipantsaid.ThegreatestassetwassaidtobethecityofWaterburyinitselfandthehistoryofWaterbury.Also,oneparticipantsaidthatittakesthoseintheneighborhoodtoactuallybesupportiveandawareinordertotakeadvantageoftheseassetsandeliminatemostofthesechallenges.
• Oneparticipant-Greatestasset:bodegas.Challenge:lackofjobs.• Greatestasset:smallstoresinthearea.Challenge:lackofemploymentsopportunities• Greatestasset:greataccesstojobs.Challenge:nottoomuchaccessforthoselivinginthe
neighborhood.• Greatestasset:manysidestores,butnobigretailstorestofocusonthoseinthe
community.Challenge:focusmoreonthoseoutsideofthisparticularareaoftheSouthEnd;muchtimeandmillionsofdollarsareneededtodevelopbuildings/businesses.
• Greatestassetisthecoreofresidentsthatrefusetoleavetheareaandpatronizelocalbusinesses.
• ThegreatestassetistheavailabilityofspaceintheSouthEndforbusinessestodevelop.• GreatestassetisthattheSouthEndhasgreataccessibilitytothedowntownandthe
highway.GreatestchallengeistheBrownfieldsitesthataredifficulttodevelopandremediate.
• GreatestassetisthatWaterburyleadstheNortheastinBrownfieldremediationeffortsasactivemeasuresarebeingtakentoreclaimsuchlocations.Greatestchallengeisthatcurrentresidentsdon’thaveenoughdisposableincometopatronizebusinessesconsistently.
• Oneparticipant-Greatestassetistheavailabilityofspaceatarelativelylowcost.Greatestchallengeisconvincingpeopletostartbusinessesandtakingthefinancialrisktohelpthecommunity.
• Abusinessowneransweredthisquestionbysayingthatthegreatestassetsarespaceandaccesstomajorhighways,butthatsomeofthebiggestchallengescanbecongestionandbigcompaniesputtingsmallcompaniesoutofbusiness.
• Thereisalackofjobs/community.• Challenge:thelengthoftheprocesshurtstheneighborhood(MillStreet2.7million);thereis
alackofjobsbecausepeopleareonfixedincome.• Thereisgoodaccessbuttherearemanybusinessesthatdonotwanttoopenhere.• theblackbookisstillaround;bartering.• 10/15yearsfromnow=Waterburywilllookdifferent• iftherearepeoplewhoarestillherethatmeanstheyarededicated;poorfamily
neighborhood,butworkingfamiliesresidehere.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 21
Education,health,social,&emergencyservicesGradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofschoolsforacommunityofthissize(pre-school/kindergarten/Headstart,primary/elementary/middleschools,highschools,colleges/universities).Howdolocalresidentsfeelaboutschools?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
0 0%
3 3
4 80% 4 4
1 20% 5 5
0 0% Total 5 100%
• ThereistheMaloneyInterdistrictMagnetSchoolonEastClayStreet,whichisabenefit;
however,therestoftheschoolsareoutsideoftheneighborhood.Also,inthecaseofmostoftheschools,theyarenorthofthehighway.
• Thereisvisibilityaswellasavailabilityforpreschoolandelementaryschool.Thereisanelementaryschoolbythechurchandthereareschoolbusesthatpickuppreschoolkids.Soeventhoughthoseotherschoolsarenotintheareathereisawaytogetthemthere.
• Theschoolsarewellmaintainedbutappearedtobeovercrowded.TheartsschoolisnotparticularlyinclusivetoresidentsoftheSouthEnd.
• Therewasoneschoolthatwesaw.IbelieveitwasanelementaryschoolthatwesawonEastClayStreetnamedMaloney,butotherthanthatnotmanyotherschools.
• MaloneyelementaryschoolonE.ClayStreet.• Therewasanelementaryschoolandwesawalotofkidsplaying
outsideintheplaygroundoftheschoolbutIthoughtitwasaverysmallplaygroundforalotofkids,soIthinktheschoolshouldcreatemoreplacesforkidstoplay.
Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofhealthcarefacilities(e.g.,hospitals,physicians,dentists,optometrists,orothermedicalofficesandclinics,long-termcareorassistedlivingfacilities,andotherhealthservicessuchaschiropractic,mentalhealthservices,yoga,massage).Howdolocalresidentsfeelabouttheseservices?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
1 17% 2 2
3 50%
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 22
3 3
2 33% 4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 6 100%
• Whiletherearen'tanyspecializedhealthcare
facilitiesintheneighborhood,SaintMary'sHospitaliswithindrivingdistanceoftheneighborhood.ThereisalsoachiropracticofficeonScovillStreet.
• Therearefacilitiesclosetothearea,butnotexactlyinthearea.
• Whilethehospitalisnearbyandambulanceservicesarelocatedwithintheneighborhood,therearenomedicalservicesofferedwithintheSouthEnd.
• Therewerereallynohealthcarefacilitiesaroundthearea.ThereisSaintMary'shospitalwhichisa5-minutedrive,butnofacilitiesintheneighborhood.
• Therewerenone.• IwouldsayinthatcategorytheSouthEndisprettypoorbecausetheywerenotdentists
around,medicaloffices,oranyhealthservices.TheonlythatisclosetothemistheEmergencyRoomofthehospitalandthatisonlyiftheyhaveacar,becauseitistoofarbywalking.
Gradeandcommentonthevarietyandqualityofretailfoodoutlets(grocerystores,superstores,conveniencestores,gasstations).Commentonlocation,cost,andtypesoffoodsavailable.Arehealthyfoodoptionsavailable?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
0 0% 2 2
0 0% 3 3
3 50% 4 4
3 50% 5 5
0 0% Total 6 100%
• Thereareplentyofconveniencestoresinthearea,butnothingbiggerthanacornerstore.
Thefoodavailableisthesamethatyouwouldfindinmanystoreswiththepricesbeingaboutthesame.Therearen'tanyhealthyoptionslikeyoumightfindataWholeFoods.
• Notmanyretailfoodoutletsatallorgasstations.TheonlyfoodavailableiscomingfromtheHispanicrestaurantsorthecornerstores.Butitisclosebyandaffordable.
• Theretailfoodoutletsarerelativelycheapandaccessibletoresidents,andhealthyoptionsareavailable.Therearealsorestaurantsandacommunitygarden.
• Therearenosuperstoresintheneighborhood.TheonlylargebusinessI'veseenintheneighborhoodisHomeDepot,whichtheresidentsintheneighborhoodprobablydon'tevenvisittoomuch.Therearealotofconveniencestoresintheareawhichcertainlymustprovide
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 23
thepeopleoftheareawitheverythingtheyneed,beingsoclosebyandaffordable.• CornerstoreonS.Mainstreet.MinimartonS.Mainstreet.EcuadorianrestaurantonS.Main
street.HispanicrestaurantonS.Mainstreet.HispanicrestaurantonWashingtonAve.• ThereisoneconveniencestoreandaplacecalledJarjurawhereyoucouldbuyfruitsand
vegetables,butotherthanthatthereisacoupleofforeignrestaurantsbutthefoodisveryunhealthysotherearenotanyhealthfoodoptions.
Commentonanyapparentwaysthatresidentsgrowtheirownfoodoraccessfoodthroughlocalfarms(e.g.,communitygardens,backyardgardens,farmersmarkets,communitysupportedagriculturefarmsordropsites).Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
0 0% 2 2
1 17% 3 3
2 33% 4 4
3 50% 5 5
0 0% Total 6 100%
• ThereistheBrassCityHarvestGardenonMillStreet.Itprovidesproduceforafarmers'
marketonBankStreet.• Thereissomesortoffarmer’smarketthatisinthearea.Thereisfoodgrowninagreen
house.Itisnotthebiggestplaceareabutcertainlysomething.Mosttownsdonothavethatkindofresource.
• ThereisasuccessfulcommunitygardenonMillStreetwithitsownretailoutlet.• Ididnoticethatthereweretwogardens.OnegardenwasknownastheMillStreetFarmer's
Marketduringthepastfewmonths,whichwasthekindofgreenhousespacefortheresidents.IalsonoticedtherewasasmallergardenthatwasonWestLibertyStreet,butI'mnotsureifanythingwasbeinggrownonitinthemeantime.
• Therewereafewflowerpotsonsomeresidents’frontporchesonW.Libertystreet.TherewasalsoatinygardenbetweentwohomesonW.Libertystreet.WesawacommunitygardenonE.LibertystreetandMillstreet(324Millstreet).
• TherewasasmallplacecalledMillStreetFarmersMarketbutitwasbehindahouse,andwasseeminglyunused,butotherthanthat,therewasnoplacewhereresidentscould'vegrowntheirownfoodbecauseoftrashonthestreets,andalackofbackyardgardensandfarms.
Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofemergencyfoodservices(e.g.,foodpantries,soupkitchens,communitymeals)foracommunityofthissize.Howdolocalresidentsfeelabouttheseservices?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
2 33% 2 2
2 33% 3 3
2 33%
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 24
4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 6 100%
• OnBaldwinStreetthereistheSt.VincentdePaulfoodpantry.IalsodidasearchonGoogle
MapstolookiftherewasanotherpantryintheareabutIbelievetheonlyoneIfoundiscloseddown.
• Ididnotseeanythingexceptmaybethechurch,whichcanprovideasoupkitchenforthoseinneed.
• Therewerenonoticeableemergencyfoodserviceswithintheneighborhood.• ThereisashelterknownastheVincentDePaulMissionthatI'msureprovidestheseservices.I
alsorememberhearingfromoneparticipantthatthechurchesdidallowforclothingandfoodwhennecessary.
• Wesawnone.• ThestatusoffoodservicesisprettypoorintheSouthEnd.
Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofsocialservices(e.g.,daycare,seniorcenter,counseling)foracommunityofthissize?Howdolocalresidentsfeelabouttheseservices?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
1 20% 2 2
1 20% 3 3
3 60% 4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 5 100%
• Therewerenobuildingsthatoutwardlyadvertisedanyoftheseservices;however,St.Anne's
Church,aswellastheSt.VincentShelteronBenedictStreet,possiblyprovidestheseservices.• Therecreationcentercancountasadaycarebecauseitcanhelpkidsofcertainagesstayina
safeplacewhiletheirparentsareatwork.Idon’texactlyknowhowresidentsfeelaboutthismatter.
• Mygroupdidnotgettoseethis,butIdorememberProfessorGlassersayingthattherecreationcenterhasaseniorcenteronBaldwinandLibertyStreet.I'msuretherearealsomanyoftheseotherservicesplacedinsideofcertainbusinesses.
• Therewerenone.• Ididnotseeanydaycarecenterorseniorcounselingbuttheremightsomethingrelatedto
thatinthechurchnearbytheSouthEnd.
Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofcivicorganizationsandclubsforacommunityofthissize.Arethereorganizationsandclubsthatwouldappealtoavarietyofagegroups?Howdolocalresidentsfeelaboutcivicinvolvement?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 25
# Answer
Response %1 1
3 50% 2 2
3 50% 3 3
0 0% 4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 6 100%
• TheSt.VincentShelteronBaldwinStreetisacivicorganization.• Ididnotseeanyorganizationsorclubsinthatarea.I’msuretheresidentsdonotfeeltheyare
asinvolvedastheycouldbe.• Thesocialservicesofferedwithintheareaarelimitedatbest,andwouldnotproperly
accommodateacommunityofthissize.• Mygroupdidnotseeanythingtodowithclubsorcivilorganizations.• Wesawnone.• Thereareabsolutelynoclubsthatpeopleofvariousgroupscouldvisitandhaveafunnight
out.Thatissomethingthatcomesbacktoincome.Thepeoplewhoownbusinesseswouldnotwanttoopenaclubinthemiddleofnowherewithpeoplethathavelowincomes.ClubsareexpensiveandIdon'tthinktheownerswouldmakeanyprofitintheSouthEndbyopeningaclubthere.
Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofprivateorpublicfitnesscentersorfacilitiesforphysicalrecreation.Howdolocalresidentsfeelaboutthem?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
3 50% 2 2
2 33% 3 3
1 17% 4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 6 100%
• Ididn'tseeanykindoffitnesscenters.Notonlythat,thecityparkthatmygroupfoundwas
prettyunkemptandthefencearounditwaspadlocked.Thebasketballhoopsdidn'thaverimseither.
• Thereisalittleparkintheareawhichkeepsonbeingshutdownandreopenedbutthatisaboutit.Theresidentsthinkitwouldbebetterifthereweremorefacilitiestostayphysicallyfitin.
• Therearenofitnesscenters,andthepublicparkisunfinishedandclosed.• IdidnotseeanythingintheneighborhoodbutIknowthereislikeaYMCAlocatedabout2-3
minutesawayfromtheneighborhoodthatcouldbeusedforsuch.• TherewasareallysmallbasketballcourtonS.MainandW.Libertystreet.• TheSouthEndhasnotypeofpublicfitnesscentersorfacilitiesforphysicalrecreationand
thatissomethingthattheownerswouldhavetroubleopeningbecauseofthelandfactorandhowlongitwouldtaketobuildagymaroundtheSouthEnd.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 26
Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofemergencyservices(e.g.,police,fire,ambulance,andemergencymedical)foracommunityofthissize.Howdolocalresidentsfeelabouttheseservices?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
0 0% 2 2
0 0% 3 3
3 60% 4 4
2 40% 5 5
0 0% Total 5 100%
• OnWestDoverthereareambulanceservices.Whenmygroupwalkedpastit,therewasan
ambulancereadytogo,aswellasanotherinthegarageonthepremises.• They’rereallynoneatall.Butthereisahospitalverycloseby.• ThereisanambulanceservicelocatedwithintheSouthEndthatisconvenientlylocatedafew
minutesawayfromSt.Mary'sHospital.• Therearenorealemergencyservicesaround,butwedidseeanambulancelocatedwithinthe
neighborhood,andinthecasethatanythingweretogowrongtheambulancewouldbethereinasecond.
• Weonlysawoneambulanceserviceplace,onW.Doverstreet.• Thepolicedepartmentisabout5minutesofdrivingandthehospitalisabout3minutesof
drivingsoIguessifthepeopleintheSouthEndhaveanemergencythepoliceortheambulancewouldbethereprettyfast.
Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofemergencyshelterstoaccommodateresidentsintheeventofaheatwave,flood,orotherdisaster.Dotheyappearaccessibletopeoplewithoutvehicles?Istheresignageinthecommunityindicatingwherethesesheltersarelocated?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
0 0% 2 2
2 40% 3 3
3 60% 4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 5 100%
• Therewerenosignspointingtoanykindofemergencyshelter.However,theschoolandthechurchcouldconceivablybeusedasemergencyshelters.
• They’renoneinthearea.Ididnotlocateanysitesorsignage.• Thereisasmallemergencyshelterandapotentialshelterwithinthenearbyschool's
gymnasium.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 27
• ThereisashelterlocatedononeofthebackstreetsnexttoHomeDepotcalledtheVincentDePaulMission.
• WesawashelteronW.Libertystreet.St.VincentDePaulMission.• ThereisabsolutelynotypeofhelpthattheSouthEndpeoplecouldgetifthereisadisaster.
Theonlythingwesawwasasmallshelterhomeforperhaps20people,calledtheStVincentDePaulMission,butthatisnotgoingtoofferfreefoodtothepeopleintheSouthEndinanycaseofemergency.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 28
Government,infrastructure,&landuseAremunicipalofficesconvenientlylocated?
• Notherearen’tmanyofficesinthearea*Commentontheavailabilityandqualityofcommunitybrochures,businessdirectories,orcommunityprofilesiftheyareavailable(eitheronlineorpaper).
• Thereareonlinebrochuresthattalkaboutthecitiespastandpresent.• Nobrochuresorbusinessdirectoriesinpaperform.HistoryabouttheSouthEndavailable
onlinebutnocurrentcentralwebsitefound.• Therearenopapersanywhere.• Nopaperorneighborhoodarticles.
Gradeandcommentonthehelpfulnessofgovernmentemployees.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
2 50% 2 2
1 25% 3 3
1 25% 4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 4 100%
Iftherearevariousmodesofpublictransportation,commentonhoweasywoulditbetoconnectfromonetoanother,suchasfromabusstoptoatraindepot.
• Therearebusstopsverycloseandthetrainiscloseby,butnotinthearea.• Thebussystemappearstobeintegratedwellwithdowntownservices.AstationintheSouth
Endwherebusscheduleinformationispresentwouldbehelpful.• Itwouldbeeasierifyouknowthebusschedule.
Gradeandcommentontheavailabilityandusefulnessofpublictransitmaps/schedules/websitesifapplicable.Ifpublictransitexists,arepeopleusingit?Ifso,commentonthelevelofuse.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
0 0% 2 2
0 0% 3 3
0 0% 4 4
3 100% 5 5
0 0% Total 3 100%
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 29
• Itveryeasytogetaroundinthearea.Thebusescomeandgoveryfrequently,andmanypeopleusethepublictransitbeingoffered.
• CTTransitwebsitehasathoroughwebsitewiththebusschedulesthroughoutthestate.Onedisadvantageistheroutesaresummedupbyneighborhoodnamesandaredifficulttofollowifyouarenotfromthearea.NopeoplenotedusingthebusesintheSouthEndthoughobservationsweremadeatoffpeaktimes.
• Downtownhasalotofinformation.• Schedulesandmapsdowntown.
Gradeandcommentontheavailabilityandapparentqualityofeachofthefollowing:Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof10=A(Excellent)
Answer Min Value
Max Value
Average Value Responses
Street signage 6 10 9 4 Bus Stops with shelters/shade 0 6 2 4
Bike lanes on street 4 4 4 1
Streets 6 8 7 4
Street lighting 6 6 6 4
Street crossings 6 10 9 4
Traffic controls 6 8 6 4
Sidewalks 6 6 6 4
• Thereispracticallyeverything,justinneedofsomeimprovement.Thesidewalksneedtobecleanedupandthecrosswalksneedtoberepainted.
• Streetsarelabeledquitewell.SidewalksonSouthMainarewellconstructedbutoftencrumblingonsecondaryroads.Crosswalksarelocatedatmajorintersections.Nosheltersorshadelocatedaroundbusstops.
• Thestreetsaredecent,butthesidewalksreallyneedtobefixedandcleaned.Gradetheconditionofbikepaths/trails.Ifbikeandpedestrianfacilitiesexist,arepeopleusingthem?Ifso,commentonthelevelofuse.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
3 75% 2 2
0 0% 3 3
1 25% 4 4
0 0%
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 30
5 5
0 0% Total 4 100%
Idonotthinkabikelaneactuallyexistsinthearea.• Nobicyclepathsortrails. • Therewasnone.
Gradeandcommentonyoursenseofsecurity/safetyasapedestrianand/orbicyclistinthecommunity.Arethereanyapparentincentivesthecommunityoffersfortransitusers,pedestrians,orbicyclists(e.g.,parkingclosertodestinations,“bicyclebenefits”discountprograms)?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
1 33% 2 2
0 0% 3 3
0 0% 4 4
2 67% 5 5
0 0% Total 3 100%
• Streetparkingofferssomesafetyfromtraffic.Treesalongsidethestreetswouldimprovethe
areaintermsofdrainageandprotection.Noparticularpedestrianincentives.• Peopletendtodrivereallyfastmakingitunsafetocrossthestreet.
Arecommunityfacilitiesandinfrastructureaccessibleforpeoplewithdisabilities,theelderly,andpeoplecarryingluggageorpushingstrollers,etc.?
• TheLoyolaapartmentshaverampsforpeopleinwheelchainIbelieve.Otherthanthatno• Sidewalksoftendiptostreetleveltoaccommodateforthedisabled,parentswithstrollers,or
peoplecarryingluggage.Somesidewalksarecrumbled,orlitteredwithtrashandbrokenglass.• Yes,moststreetshavethesidewalkramp.• Notreally,Ididnotnoticearamponsidestreetssoitcouldbedangerous.
Gradeandcommentontheavailabilityandqualityofthefollowingamenities:Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof10=A(Excellent)
Answer Min Value
Max Value
Average Value Responses
Benches 0 0 0 4
Street/public Art 0 0 0 4
Landscaping/streetscaping 0 4 2 4
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 31
Wireless internet access points 0 4 2 4
Public restrooms 0 0 0 4
Shade areas 0 4 1.3 3
Public trash containers 0 4 1.5 4
Public recycling containers 0 2 5 4
Household recycling containers 4 10 7 4
Drinking fountains 0 0 0 4
• Thehouseholdcontainersmightbebehindtheirhousesoitishardtotellandtherearesometrashcansaroundtheneighborhood.
• Littlepublicorpedestrianservicesavailablesuchasrecycling,trashcontainers,benches,orart.Residentsdo,ontheotherhand,havehouseholdrecyclingcontainers.
• Therearesomerecyclingcontainersbutnotasmuchasthereshouldbe.Wi-Fiisonlyavailableforsomepeople,itsnotreallypublic.
Gradetheavailabilityofparkingoutsideofthedowntown.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
0 0% 2 2
0 0% 3 3
1 25% 4 4
3 75% 5 5
0 0% Total 4 100%
Gradethedirectionalsignageforpublicparking.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
2 67% 2 2
0 0% 3 3
1 33% 4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 3 100%
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 32
Gradethedirectionalsignageforpedestriansandbicyclists.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
2 50% 2 2
0 0% 3 3
2 50% 4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 4 100%
Gradeandcommentontheavailabilityandaccessibilityofbicycleparkingnearschools,retailareas,communityservices,andrecreationalfacilities.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
2 50% 2 2
1 25% 3 3
1 25% 4 4
0 0% 5 5
0 0% Total 4 100%
• Thereisplentyofstreetparkingavailablethoughsomecarsareparkedontothesidewalk.
Becausetherearefewattractions,therearenotmanysignsdedicatedtopedestriantraffic.• There’snone.
Doyouseecompatibleorconflictinglanduses,suchasaparknearamuseum,orconflictingones?Arelanduses(commercial,residential,greenspace,etc.)appropriatelylocated?
• There’sspacebetweeneverythingandIthinkeverythingmakessenseexceptfortheunusedpartsoftheneighborhood.
• Landusesareappropriatelymixed.TheWestsideofSouthMainStreethasadiverseuseoflandwithoutanyparticularconflictinguses.
• It'sallmixtogether,whichisn'tbad.Thelandiscommercialandresidentialwithalittlepark.• Parkinthemiddleofhousing
Commentontheapparenteffectivenessofwatermanagementinthecommunity(e.g.stormwaterdrains,rainbarrels,raingardens,permeablepavementareas).Arethereanylargeareasofstandingwater?Ifthereisariverorstream,aretheredevelopedareasthatappeartobecloseenoughtobedamagedbyflooding?
• Thereisalittleareaaroundtheareathatflowsthroughandthereisasufficientamountofdrainage.Ididnotseemanypuddlesevenafteritrained.
• Stormdrainsoftenpresentbuthavegarbageinthem.Onlytwogardensinneighborhoodnotedbutnospecificwatersystemnotedwithgardens.
• Thestormwaterdrainsarefillwithtrash.TheriverbyMillstreetwouldn'tdamagedanything
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 33
byflooding.• Stormdrainsfilledwithtrash,riveronMillSt
Didyouexperiencetrafficcongestionanywhere?Ifyes,where?
• Notherearenotmanyplaceswheretrafficcongestioncanhappen.• DeliverytruckscancongestSouthMainStreet.Itwouldbeprudentforsuchvehiclestohavea
loadingareanotlocatedonthemainstrip.• YesbySouthMainSt.• SouthMainSt.
Doareasofthecommunityappeartobedevelopingordeclining?Commentonhoweffectivelythecommunityappearstobemanagingthis.
• ThestreetwheretheLoyolabuildingresidesitisbeingdevelopedandacrossfromittoo• Loyolaismakingslowbutsignificantprogress.Onlytwoprivatehousesobservedtohave
constructiontakingplace.• ThewholeneighborhoodasmentionbyRichardisdevelopingcomparetohowitusedtobe.• Somedevelopmentbecauseofhowitusedtobeitisprogressingslowly]
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 34
Recreation,faith,&cultureGradeandcommentontheavailabilityandappearanceofeachofthefollowing:Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof10=A(Excellent)
Answer Min Value
Max Value
Average Value Responses
Parks (municipal, county, state, national)
0 8 4 4
Public recreation facilities 6 6 6 3 Private recreation facilities 0 4 1 3 Non-motorized bike or walking paths
0 2 6.6 3
Motorized trails (ATV, snowmobile)
0 0 0 3
• Therearenotmanyplacesintheneighborhoodthatcanbeusedforrecreationorfun.Most
likelyengagedelsewhere.Whatdofamiliesinthiscommunityappeartodoforrecreation/fun?
• Nothing,besidestherecreationcenter.Thereisasmallparkthathasnotbeenup-kept.• Theymayopttogotothereccenter,takepartinbingoorothereventssponsoredbythe
church.Whatdoyoungpeopleinthiscommunityappeartoforrecreation/fun?
• Theyappeartohavearecreationintheneighborhood.Thisoffersactivities.• Youngpeoplearemorelikelytousethereccenter,buttheyevenmorelikelytogooutsidethe
neighborhood,suchasthemall,forfundependingontheirage.Whatdoseniorcitizensinthiscommunityappeartodoforrecreation/fun?
• Yes.Thereisacenterforseniorswithintherecreationcenter.• Seniorcitizensmaytakepartintheactivitiesthatareofferatthereccenterforfun.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 35
Whatrecreationalactivitiesorfacilitiesseemedtobemissing?• Thereseemstobeoutdoorsports.Thereisnobaseball,soccer,orfootballfieldsinthearea.• Outdoorrecreationalactivities,notmanyparksareintheneighborhood,ifanyareinthe
neighborhood.
Doesthecommunityhavehistoricbuildingsorplaces?Aretheywellmaintained?• Yes.ThechurchofStAnn’sisawellmaintainedbuildingthathasbeenapartofthe
neighborhoodforseveralyears.• FromwhatIhaveseentheareadoesnothaveanyhistoricbuildingsorplaces.Factoriesmay
qualifyashavinghistoricvalue,theyareabandonedandinstatesofdisrepair.Doesthecommunityholdannualeventsorculturalfestivals?Howdidyouhearaboutthem?Whatdidyoulearnaboutthetraditionsbehindthefestivals?
• Notherearenosignificantfestivalsortraditionsthattakeplace.• Therearenoevents,orculturalfestivalsthatheldintheSouthEnd.
Doesthecommunityappearwelcomingtopeopleofallracesandethnicities(Hispanic/Latinoetc.),abilities(wheelchairaccess,deaf/blind),religions(varietyofworshipopportunities),sexualorientation(LGBTindividuals/families),orbymaritalstatus(single,married,divorced)?Whyorwhynot?
• Yes.Doesn'tseemlikeanydiscriminationhastakenplaceinthisarea.ThereareseveralHispanicfamiliesintheneighborhood.
• ItishardtosaywhetherornotheSouthEndappearsmorewelcomingtopeopleofcertainracesorethnicities,maybeinterestingtopeopleofHispanicorLatinobackgroundstothelargepopulationpresentintheneighborhood.Maynotappearwelcomingtopeoplewhohavedisabilities,suchasthoseinwheelchairsbecauseitisnoteasilyaccessibleortraversable.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 36
InformationfromresidentsOnThursday,October15,2015theclasshadapaneloffivepeopleintheLoyolaroomtalkingabouttheSouthEndneighborhood.Thepanelwascomposedof-executivedirectorofLoyola,-whonotonlygrewupintheneighborhoodbutalsoownsAmbulanceServicesrightaroundthecorneronWestDoverStreet,-aresidentfor27yearswhoisraisingafamilyintheneighborhoodandisthepresidentoftheSouthEndNeighborhoodAssociation,Oneparticipant-whowasborninBrooklyn,NYbutraisedintheSouthEnd,isthestaterepresentative,districtlegislatorfor4yearsandwasaschoolteacherandfinally-whoisfromtheWaterburyboardofaldermen,executivedirectorofHispanicCoalitionandalthoughhedidn’tgrewupintheneighborhoodlikethemajorityofthepanel,hereallycaresaboutit.-JanylisCostas
Commentonthefriendlinessofresidentsofthecommunity.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)
# Answer
Response %1 1
0 0% 2 2
1 25% 3 3
1 25% 4 4
2 50% 5 5
0 0% Total 4 100%
• Thepeopleoftheneighborhoodaresomewhatfriendly.Inmostcasestheyarecuriousand
whattoknowwhatwearedoing.Thepeoplethatspokeforthesouthendwereveryfriendlyeventhoughonlyoneofthemisanactualresident.
• WhenvisitingtheneighborhoodIhadtogoalonebeingthatIwasnotabletomakeitlastclass,soIdidnotspeakwithmanyresidentsbuttheresidentsthatIdidspeakwithwereprettyfriendly.
• Theywerereallyinterestedintellingusabouttheircommunity.• Theresidentsandtheownerswhocametalkingtouswereprettyfriendlytousandthey
seemedreallynicepeople• Thepeopleoftheneighborhoodaresomewhatfriendly.Inmostcasestheyarecuriousand
wanttoknowwhatwearedoing.Thepeoplethatspokeforthesouthendwereveryfriendlyeventhoughonlyoneofthemisanactualresident.
• IgivetheResidentsaBforfriendlinessbecausetheyareniceforthemostpartbut
"I have learned that despite the current neighborhood status, many residents are diligently working to improve the neighborhood. I had assumed that most residents were apathetic to the condition. From the panel discussion, there is still a core group of people that care about the community, businesses, and the residents."
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 37
sometimesifIweretogreetthemtheywouldnotacknowledgeme.Whatdolocalresidentsrecommendregardingevents?Onewaytophraseaquestiontoalocalresidentmightbe:"Wehaveonlyonenightinthisneighborhood,whatisgoingontonightthatmightbefuntodoorsee?"Consideraskingfamilies,youngpeople,andseniorcitizensandnotinganydifferences.
• Thereisnotmuchtodointheneighborhood.Fortheyoungercrowdinthecommunitythereisarecreationalfacilitythattheycangotobutitisalittlebitoutsideofthemappedarea.
• I'mnotsure.Thereisn'ttoomuchofanyactivitiesintheneighborhood.Thatwasanissueinthediscussion.
• Iwouldrecommendthemtotherestaurantsinthearea.Therearen'tmanyaround,butIwouldtellthemoftheonesIknow,andI'msuretheresidentswoulddothesameaswell.
• Thatisonetheproblemsthattheresidentsbroughtisthat,aparkisneededforfamiliestogooutwiththeirkidsandenjoytherestoftheafternoonafterwork,anditcanbearelaxingplacebutrightnowSouthEnddoesnothaveany.AlsoIthinkmaybeadrinkingclubwouldbesomethingthattheresidentsmightenjoytogoat,ormaybeacoffeeplaceoraIcecreamshop,thosearethethingsthataremissingintheSouthEnd.
Ifresidentsdidnothaveanswerstoyourquestions,weretheyabletoreferyoutosomeoneelsewhocouldprovideassistance?
• Itishardtorefertosomeonewhodoeshaveanswersintheareabecauseiftheresidentsdonotknowthattheycanhelpthecommunitygetbetterthentheydon'tknowtheyhavesomeonetorefertoaboutanyquestionstheyhave.
• no.Severalofthemareunawareofthings.• I'msuretheywouldhavebeenabletorefermetosomeonewhohadananswertomy
question.• Alltheresidentswereabletoanswerourquestionsbecausesomeofthemhadlivedinthe
SouthMainalltheirlivessotheykneweverythingabouttheSouthEndandtheyansweredallofourquestions.
Wereneighborhoodresidentsknowledgeableabouttheirneighborhood?
• Duringthegroupspeechofthe4formerresidentstheywereknowledgeableabouttheircommunitytheywerespeakingaboutwhatexactlygoesoninthecommunityandwhatisneededtodotofixit.
• Yes.Basedononlyoneresidentshewasveryknowledgeableabouttheoverallconditionoftheneighborhood.
• Theneighborhoodresidentswereknowledgeableabouttheirneighborhoodandfeltcomfortableinthelivingspace.
• TheresidentswespokewithgrewupintheSouthEndsotheywereveryknowledgeableaboutwhathasbeengoingonintheircommunityandtheyreallywanttoseeitchangefor
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 38
thebetter.• Yesofcourse,theyknewtheproblemsthattheSouthEndhadandknewwhattheyhadto
dotomaketheSouthEndaliveagainandmakepeoplewanttocomeandliveinthere.Ingeneral,didresidentsyouspokewithhaveapositiveornegativeattitudetowardtheircommunity?Didyousenseneighborhoodpride?
• TheoverallhelplessoftheresidentsdeservesanB.Theonesthatcameintotalkhadalotofimportantinformationbuttheonesthatdidnotownthebusinessesdidnotknowmuch.Alotoflocalresidentshadnegativecommentsbecausethereisalotofabandonedbuildingsandnotmanybusinessesareopentotheareathataredifferentfromtheothers.Buttherewasneighborhoodpridetheyjustfeelthattheneighborhoodneedstoimprove.
• Thereisnoneighborhoodprideonappearancebasedonthewayitlooks.Iamnotsureiftheytakeprideinwheretheyarefrom.
• TheresidentsIspokewithduringthefocusgrouphadmixedemotionsabouttheneighborhood.Somepositiveswere:Theaccessibilityofthemall,markets,hospitalsandcornerstoresinthearea.Somenegativeswere:lackofspaceforthechildrentoplaysafelyin,theresidentsnotknowingwhatgoesonaroundtheircommunity,andtheresidentsnotputtinginanyefforttomakechangeintheircommunity.
• IwouldsayitispositivebecausetheyallbelievedthattheycouldturntheSouthEndintowhatitwasandtheywereenthusiasticaboutitanddidnothaveanynegativeattitudetowardstheSouthEnd.
Didresidentsidentifyaparticularissuetobeofmajorconcern?
• Theresidentsmajorconcernwasthattherewastoomanyvacantlotsandtrashinthearea.• yes.Inseveralcasesitwaspeoplesignorancetocertainissuesoftheoverallappearanceof
theneighborhood.Alsothelackofactivities.• Residentsbelieve• Theneedformoreshoppingareas,restaurants,asafespaceforthechildren,changeinthe
community...etc.• Yesthebiggestconcernthattheyhadwasthattheywantedaplayground,andaparkfor
kidstoplayat.Solandscapewasahugeconcerningfactorforthem,ADDITIONALFOCUSGROUPQUESTION:Wheredoresidentsgotoaccessbasicneeds?
• BecausemanyresidentsoftheSouthEndarelow-income,theyhavelesstospendandarelimitedintheirabilitytotravel.Thespeakersdiscussedsocialservicesofferedintheareaaswellasthelocalsupermarkets,whichcannolongerrunon"credit"systemsthatarerootedinfamiliarityandtrustbetweenbusinessesandresidents.Therewasastrongemphasisontheneedfor"greenspace"aswellastheneedforresidentstobeabletodirectlycommunicatetheirneeds.
• MostresidentsgotoplacesliketheMall,orotherplacesfartherawaytoaccesstheirbasicneeds.Tryingtogetextrabusstopshere.
• Thereisalanguagebarrier,makesitharderforpeopletofindoutwheretogo,thereare
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 39
plentyofservices.Thereisaneedforahomelessshelter.• ThereisaneedforaHospitalincloseproximity.• Oneparticipant-Notmanypeopleareinvolved,andasaresultdonotknowwheremany
servicesaresuchastheshelterandSt.VincentandPaul.• Toaccessbasicneedstheresidentsgototheconveniencestoreslocatedallaroundthe
neighborhood.ThereisalsoaWalgreenslocatedonlyacoupleofminutesawayfromtheSouthEnd.IrememberallofthosewhogrewupintheSouthEnd,,andVictor
• BecauseoftheSouthEnd’sprimelocation,SaintMary’sHospitaliswithinwalkingdistanceforresidents.Thehospitalprovidesanumberofhealthcareserviceswithinthecampus.
• Becauseofactivism,therearenowanumberofbusstopsintheSouthEndtoassistpeoplewhodonothaveamotorvehicle.SouthEnddoeslackagreen-spaceforchildrentoplay.
• Thoughthereareanumberofservicesprovidedbyreligiousorganizations,thecity,andnon-profitorganizations,somecitizensarenotinformedwhatservicesareofferedandwheretheservicescanbefound.
• Thereisalackofpoliticalinterestintheneighborhoodthatpreventspeoplefrombeinginvolvedinimprovingbasicneedservices.Simplyreadingthenewspaperisanexcellentwayofbeinginformedoftheissues.
• sayinghowthoseinthebodegaswouldgivepeoplecreditthatcouldnotaffordtogetthebasicneedsfromtheseplaceswhennecessary.
• Walgreens,hospital,socialclubs• Gatewaytoothertownsorplaces• Thehospital• Themall,markets,cornerstores,andhospital.• Residentsgotothemall,hospitalanddowntown,whichareallwalkingdistanceawayfrom
theneighborhood.• Peoplejustdonotknowwheretogotogetaccesstodifferentthingsprovideservicesto
peoplewhoneed• Thehospitalandthehospitalcomplexyoudonotneedacarbecausethebusesrunrightby
itprovidesjobsandbringmoneyinforthecityveryaccessible• Lackofpeoplethatdonotreadnewspapersarenotuptodatewithwhatis
ADDITIONALFOCUSGROUPQUESTION:Ifyoucouldchangeonekeythingabouttheneighborhood,whatwoulditbe?
• EveryspeakerhadtiestotheSouthEnd,andtheywereallaroundtoseeitduringbettertimes,whichmadethemallthemorepassionateaboutreturningittoitsformerglory.OneparticipantspokeabouthistimeintheSouthEndandlamentedthedyingsenseofcommunity,whichhebelievedhelpmakeacommunitymoreefficientandeffectiveaswellashappier.Theyacknowledgedthatresidentsweresurprisedbythesuccessofnewdevelopments,suchastheonesbyLoyola,andthattheselowexpectationsandsenseofapathywereamongthebiggestobstaclestowardsrevitalizingthecommunity.Asenseofprideinone'sneighborhoodanditsresidentsareessentialifacommunityistorecoverfromadecline,especiallyiftheresidentsaretohavecontrolwithinthedecision-makingprocess.BilingualserviceswerealsosuggestedasnecessarywithintheSouthEndtomakethe
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 40
processasinclusiveaspossible• Wouldliketohaveagreenspacehere,likeapark.• Oneparticipant-Getmorepeopleinvolvedcivically.• Getmorepeopleengagedinthecommunity.• Ifcouldchangeonekeythingabouttheneighborhood,itwouldbeformorepeopletoget
involvedasIthinkbothoftheVictorsmentioned.IlikedhearinghowOneparticipantranintonewresidentswhohadnoideawhatwasgoingonintheSouthEnd.Allittookwasafewminutesforthemtounderstandandgetinvolvedwithwhatwasgoingon.Itisnothardtogooutandgetinformedandhelpthecommunitythatyouliveinespeciallywhenitisclearitisstruggling.Irememberhearingthereisenoughopportunityasthereischallengeandfamiliesmustgetcivicallyinvolvedintheircommunity.
• Oneparticipant:thelackofinvolvement;getfamiliesinvolvedandvote• Thelackofinvolvement• Cleanliness(kidspickupbadthings)• Driveofemployment• Maketheresidentsmoreawareofwhatisgoingonaround• them.• Gettheresidentsmoreinvolved.• Lessenthelanguagebarrier.• ChangetheperceptionoftheSouthEnd.• Makeconnectionswithintheneighborhood.• Strengthentheeducationsystem.• Oneparticipantreallywantstoopenachildren’smuseum,getacommunityactivist/watch
andhavegreen,openspaceforthekidstogooutandsafelyplay.totallyagreewithherbecausehehopesofcreatingathleticactivitieslikelittleleagueswiththepurposeofhavingfunandbringingpeopletogetherlikeitdidmanyyearsago.Thiswouldcreate“astrongfoundation”oftrustandgetpeopleinvolvedwithachanceofknowingyourneighbors.wantedpeopletobemoreinformedsothatwaytheygetinvolvedofalltheservicesthatareavailableevenifindividualshavealanguagebarrier.wantedpeopletochangetheirperceptionontheneighborhoodandoneparticipantwantspeopletohavefaiththataffordablehousingisavailable.
• Onecriticalchangeabouttheneighborhoodistheperceptionofthearea.MostpeoplehaveanegativeviewabouttheSouthEndandWaterburyasawhole.Apositiveoutlookwouldinstillhopeandcommitmentversusthenegativitythatyieldscontent.Oneparticipant-TheSouthEndlackspoliticalinvolvement.Veryfewpeoplevoteorotherwisevoicetheiropinions.Peopleneedtoknowhowimportantitistobeinformedandbecivicallyinvolved.Suchactivityleadstocommunityimprovement.
• Thereisnowhereforthekidstorunaroundandbekids• Communityactivism• Startbuildingafoundationnow-getfamiliescivicallyinvolved
Opendiscussionandadditionalquestions:
• Twoparticipantstalkedtousabouthowpeopleuse“fiao”orcredittogetthingsbeforelike
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 41
groceriesbutnotanymore.toldusthestoryofhowevenifhisnotcurrentlylivingthere,hewillalwaysbe“aWaterburyboy”.Oneparticipanttoldushowthingshavechangefromwhenshewasgrowinguptohowthingsarenowwithherthreechildren.Finally,thepanelpointedoutthattheSouthEndtookdecadestogetwhereitisnowandwilltakesomeyearstogettothecuttingedgebutthereisagoaltogettheSouthEndtohowitusedtobe.Thusonestudentasked“howdoyougetpeopletostayintheneighborhood?”Oneparticipantsimplysaidopportunitiesandpublicity.Ifpeoplehavejobs,trust,and“astrongfoundation”,theycometogetherandwanttohelpspreadthewordabouttheneighborhoodwhichinvitesmorepeopleover
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 42
UsingyoursensesWhatdidthecommunitytastelike?Wasthereanyspecialtyfooditem,bakery,restaurant,orotherfoodstorethatyouwillremember?
• ItisaveryHispanicareasothereisalotofSpanishrestaurants.Isawatotalof3restaurantsonSouthMainalone.ThereisalsomanycornerstoreswhichareownedbyHispanicowners.
• Noparticulartaste.• N/A• Wedidn'tliterallytasteanythingasagroup.IrememberBargainFoodCenterwhichwasa
cornerstoreandanotheracrossfromthechurch.• TherewereEcuadorianandLatinrestaurantsintheareaaswellasotherstoreswithfood.
AlthoughIdidnotpersonallytasteanyfoodthebusinesseslookedcleanandthearomasthatreachedthestreetwerepleasant.
• Ididn'treallygetatasteoftheneighborhoodreally.IsawtherewasanicecreamplaceandfoodandlittlestoresbutIwasn'treallygettingasmellfromthem.However,IdidgetthesmellofkindoflikeatrashmoldysmellwhenIfoundanopenfencethathadnothingbuttrashwheretheWaterburyCompanyusedtobe.
• Asavegetarian,Ididn'thavemanyrestaurantoptions.Therearemanyconveniencestores,andIatedollarstorecandy.
• Nothere'snothingIwillremember• ThereareafewrestaurantspresentintheSouthEnd.Anicecreamshopisalsothere.• N/A• Therewasanicecreamparlorinthemiddleoftheneighborhoodthatdidn'tlookvery
sanitaryorinviting.IalsospottedtwotinyHispanicrestaurants.• TherewereacoupleofrestaurantsbutitmostlyHispanicfoodsoifsomeonerandomjust
drivesupinthesouthendandgoestotherestauranthewillnotfindfoodheenjoys.• Ididnotgetachancetotasteanyfoodswhilewewerewalkingaround.
Whatdidthecommunitysmelllike?Werethereanyoffensivesmells?Whataboutpleasantodors(flowers,food,etc.)?
• Ididsmellalotofcarexhaustintheneighborhood.Otherthanthat,thereweren'tmanydistinguishablesmells.However,ifyoustoodonthebridgedovertheMadRiveryoucouldsmellthewater.
• Ididnotsmellanyoffensiveodorsexceptfortheonebythefactory.Itwasactuallycomingfrominsidethefactory.Therearemanygoodonescomingfromtherestaurants.
• SmallraisedbedsonMillStprovidedapleasantodor.JewelrySthadapungentodorofdecomposinggarbagebythevacantfactory.
• JewelryStsmellsliketrashandmold.E.Clay/S.MainsmelledlikePuertoRicancooking• Theneighborhoodincertainareasdidnothaveapleasantsmell.Therewasthesmellof
garbageandmold.Therewasfoodonthegroundwhichleftabadsmellanddogpooponeverystreetwhichleftaterriblesmell.
• JewelryStreetsmelledhorriblewithindustrial,agriculturalandsewagesmells.• Unlessneararestaurant,theneighborhoodcarriedavery"industrial"smellwhichwasnot
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 43
particularlypleasant.• IdidgetthesmellofkindoflikeatrashmoldysmellwhenIfoundanopenfencethathad
nothingbuttrashwheretheWaterburyCompanyusedtobe.ButIdidn'tnotnoticeanytaste.• Thereisapublicappletreethatsmelledlovely.Partsoftheairsmelledlikesewage/pollution,
buttherewerealsoflowerysmells.Theinsidesofrestaurantswerepungent,inawaythatperhapsappealedtoothersbutnotme.
• nonoticeablesmells.• Notmanyoffensiveodors,occasionalsmellofacar.Therewerenotmanypleasantodors,
suchasflowersforexample,either.• Theodorsaroundtheneighborhoodconsistedoftrashandsewage,butsometimeswewould
comeacrossthesmelloffood.• Itsmelledold.Someareassmelledbetterthanothers.Theonlypleasantsmellwasbythe
riversidewiththelittlewaterfall,thatareasmelledfresher.• HonestlytherewasnosortoflandscapeintheneighborhoodsatallandIthinkthatiswhatis
reallymissingintheseneighborhoods.Ifuseeflowersandgreenspacesugetagoodsenseoftheneighborhoodbutifuseenothingbuttrashonthestreetsyouarenotgoingtowanttolivethere.
• Whenwewalkedinthestoreacrossthestreet,Ismelledbacon,eggs,andchickenbeingprepared.
Whatsoundsdidyouhear?Pleasecommentonthelevelofnoiseinthecommunity(e.g.,traffic,industrialnoises,birdssinging,waterfountains,musiconthestreets,trains,clockchimes).
• ThefirstthingthatcomestomindistheMadRiver.Thewaterfallthatfeedstheriverisquitepleasant.Otherthanthat,theleveloftrafficnoisewasn'ttoobad,althoughtherewasthisonepersonwhowasridingaroundonhisdirtbikewhichwasloud.
• IheardalotofthenoisesthatIhearinmytown.Therewasacarblastingnoise.otherthanthatIdonotheartrainsverycloseby.Thereisahighwayclosebybutitisnotinthearea.
• BirdswereaudibleonWestLibertyaswellasarooster.Children'slaughterwasextremelypleasantbytheelementaryschool.Dieselenginesfromdeliverytruckswerequiteloud.
• ChickensonW.LibertySt,dogsinneighborhood(MillSt),loudtrucks/trafficandmusicfromcars,childrenplayingatschoolyard
• ThesoundsIheardwerebirdsonElibertystreet,roostersorchickensonJewelrySt,alotofloudtrucksandtraffic,loudmusic.ItwasprettyquietfromEclaySt.toMills.
• ThedayItookawalkontheneighborhood,Iheardchildrenplayingintheschoolplayground,heavytrafficonMainStreetwithmusiccomingoutofthecars,arooster,dogbarking,andbirdssingingasIpassedbythehouses.
• SomeofthesoundsIheardincluderevvingengines,barkingdogs,conversationsthattraveledthroughopenwindows,aswellasregulartraffic.
• Ihearalotoftalkingandalotoftrafficupanddownthestreets.Therewasnevernotacarinsightwhileoutthere.Ialsonoticedtherewerealotofpeopleoccupyingthestreetssoearlyintheday.
• TherearealotoftrafficnoisesonSouthMainStreet,butotherwise,behindthebuildingsandwhatnotyoucanonlyhearfarawaysoundsofcarsdriving.Therealsoarethesoundsofchildrenplayingnearthechurch,asthereisanelementaryschoolacrosstheway.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 44
• Iheardtrafficfromi84.• ThesoundthatImostlyheardwasthesoundoftrafficintheroad.• Rostersanddogs,loudtrafficwithcarsblastingmusic,butquietaroundtheschool• Pitbullsbarking.Thenoiselevelwasaverage,probablybecausetheresidentswerenothome.• Ithinksomeoftheneighborhoodswereprettyquiet,aswewalkedaroundIdidnothearloud
music,maybetheyhappenatnightbutwhenIwalkedaroundtheneighborhoodsIdidn'tnothearanyloudnoises.
• Iheardalotofkidsplayingoutsidewhenwewalkedbytheschool.ThechurchhadquietmusicplayingwhenwewalkedinandtherewasalsoabuildingplayingmusicaroundthecornerfromLoyola.
Howwouldyoudescribetheoverallenvironmentalhealthofthecommunity(airquality,litter,noisepollution,etc.)?
• Theairqualityandnoiselevelsarejustfine,howeveritfeelslikethereislitterinmostareas.Itseemstobemainlyinthewoodedareaswherethefencesaredown.
• Thereisalotofpollutionintheareabecauseofalltheabandonedfactoriesbutit’sveryhardtosmellifyouarenotclosetothem.
• TheonlyenvironmentalconcernistheabandonedfactoryonJewelryStandtheBrownfieldsiteonMillStreet.Airqualityappearedtobestandard.
• Litterishorrendous,noiselevelistolerableduringthedayhours,airisrelativelyfine• Theairqualityisdecent.Theliteristerrible.Thenoiseisbearable.Therewerepiecesofglass
onthefloorwhichcouldbedangerous.• Thelitterishorrible,noisepollutionwasdecentandtheairqualitycouldbeimprove.• Theairqualityislikelynotverygood,thesoundswereloudbutnotunbearablyso,andthe
sheeramountoflitterwasunlikeanythingIhadseenbefore.• Theairqualityisn'ttoobadoverall.Excepttherearesomeplacesthatdosmellkindofmoldy
andnotascleanastheyshouldbe.ThereisALOToflittereverywhereandtherearereallynotrashbinsinsight.
• Thepollutionissurprisinglynotterrible,thoughanunpleasantodorwilloccasionallyremindyouthatyouareinacity.Itisnotincrediblyloudeither.
• Theneighborhoodisprettyrundown.Severalabandonedbuildings.• Lotsoflitter,passingcarsalsoahealthhazard,theblightedgroundsoftheabandoned
factoriesarealsoahealthconcern.• Theenvironmentisnotveryhealthywiththelitteringeverywhere.Therewerealsomanyfor
rentsigns,andthoughthehousesdidnotlookbadtheywereplacednexttoboardedhomes.• Theabundanceoftrashlitteringthefloorthrewmeoff.Itwasalittleunpleasantwalking
throughsomeareasbecauseIhadtoconstantlyavoidsteppingonlitteranddogexcrement.• IwouldsayitisveryPoorduetothefactthattherearealotofabandonedfactoriesandin
thoseplacespeoplethrowtheirtrashaway,IrememberwalkinginaneighborhoodwheretherewerehousesinfrontofthefactoriesandallIsawinthoseplaceswastrashthrownawaybypeopleandIcouldnotbelievehowtheywouldliveinsuchaunhealthyenvironment.
• IwoulddescribetheoverallenvironmentalhealthoftheneighborhoodasPoor.Theairqualitywasnotthatbad,butitwasalotofdirtpollutioninsomeareas.Therewerelargeamountsoflittereverywherethatwewent.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 45
Didyouexperienceanythingthathadastronglynegativeorpositiveimpactonthewaythecommunityfelttoyou(e.g.,childrenplaying,hatefulorangryresponses,crowdedordesertedstreets,safetyissues,smilingfaces)?
• TherewasonehousethatmygrouppassedonRiverStreet.Thepersonlivingtheremusthavehadseveraldogsbecausemanyofthemwerebarkingandwecouldhearthemfromthestreet.JusttheamountoflitterthatIsawwaswhatreallyshockedme.
• TheneighborhoodwasoverallniceotherthanthefactthearealooksbadbecausethereisbuildingsthatarebadlookingandEmptyspacewheregrassisgrowinganditsdirty.Ifthiswastobefixedtheneighborhoodwouldbegreatbecauseeverythingthat’swrongisvisual.
• Thestrongestimpactwastheschool.Thestudentswerehappyandprovidedasenseofcommunity.Thedesertedstreets,especiallybyMillSt,providedanoddsenseofvacancy.
• Openinginfenceatschoolposesconcernforchildren'ssafetyatschool.Thereweretwoinstructorsoutsideplayingwithkidsbutneitherwatchingtheopening,andtherewereabout50kidsrunningaround.Anyandallcouldescapeorsomeonecomeinwhoisnotauthorized
• Prettymucheverythingwasnegative.Therearenoparksorplacesforchildrentoplay.Itseemslikeitcouldgetcrowdedattimesandtherearedesertedstreetsthatseemedasifnobodylivedthere.Ididn'tseeanysmilingfaces.
• Recklessdrivingalongwiththeopenfenceontheschoolplaygroundwherethestudentswereplayingwithnoadultsupervisionneartheopenspacegavemeastronglynegativeimpactontheneighborhood.Anyonecouldhadgoneinsideoroutthatopenpartofthefencemakingthechildrenunsafe.Butobservingcolorfulclotheshangingonahousefencemademesmile.
• Ourpresenceintheneighborhooddidnotgounnoticed,butpeoplekepttothemselvesandsilentlywatchedusstudytheirhomesandbusinesses.Onehomeinparticularhadthreepitbulls,whowerevery"excited"byourarrival,tuggingadamantlyattheirchains.
• Iactuallydidn'tnoticeanychildrenreally.AlthoughIdidseeawomenwithtwokidswalkingaroundtheneighborhood.Itmademewonderwhyherekidswerenotinschool.Mygroupalsowalkeddownastreetwithlike2-3pitbullsoutandthatiskindofconcerningtocomeincontactwith.
• Noonesmiledatus,butwedidnotgetanyunpleasantresponses.Thelackofstorestoshopinwasdisappointing.
• NoIdidnot.• Thethingthatimpactedmethemostinanegativewaywasthefactthattheneighborhood
residentswerenotveryfriendlytowardsus.Someofmygroupmemberssaidhitothemandtheygavehimnoresponseandsimplywalkedaway.Whilethestreetswerefairlyemptythecouldpossiblybeattributedtothetimeofday,ifnotitcouldpossiblybeattributedtothenegativereputationoftheSouthEnd.
• Thefenceattheschoolhadandopeningwhichmadeitopentothepublicwhilethekidswereplaying.ThishadanegativeimpactonthewayIfeltabouttheneighborhoodbecausethatisdangerousandputsthekidsatriskofdanger.
• IfeltveryunsafeasIwalkedthroughtheareawithabandonedbuildings,becausesomeonecanjumpoutofthematanyminuteandattack.
• WellIsawacoupleoffamilieswithdogsIguesstheyusethemforselfprotection,andIdidnotseeanychildrenplayingonthestreetsandthepeoplewerenotveryfriendly.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 46
• Thepeoplewholivedintheneighborhoodwasnotreallyfriendly.Ifwesaidhitothem,theywouldjuststareatusormumbleundertheirbreath.Ifeltthatitwasreallyrude.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 47
]
WrapupWasyourperceptionpriortothevisitaccurate?Inwhatwayswasthecommunitydifferentfromwhatyouexpected?
• Idon'tthinkmyperceptionoftheneighborhoodwasaccurate,namelybecauseIhadnoperceptionoftheneighborhoodbeforeIvisitedit.It'sactuallyabitworseoffthanIexpectedwithallthevacantlots.
• MyperceptionwasverydifferentfromwhatInoticedattheendofmytimethere.Itisaniceneighborhooditjustneedspeopletorepresentitbetterandmakeitbetterbyputtingintheproperfunding.
• Myperceptionoftheareawasaccurateintermsofthephysicalattributesofthearea.Iwasawareoftheconditionsofbuildingsandthebrownfieldsitesfrompreviousindustrialactivity.Onapositivenote,IknewtheSouthEndhadhistoricarchitecturethatwasnotdestroyedbytheInterstate84constructionandurbanrenewalpractices.Iwasnotawareofthedumpingthatoccursinthevacantfactorybuildings.TheJewelryStreetfactoryisfilledwithrubbish.
Didtheinformationyoucollectedpriortothevisitaccuratelyreflectwhatyouobservedandexperienced?
• TheresearchthatIdidjustbeforethevisitdidcolormyexpectationsabit.WhenIrealizedthattheindustrylefttheneighborhoodwithoutmuchafterleavingeverythingcameintomuchbetterfocus.
• YesexceptforsomebecauseIdidexpecttoseealotofLatinosandIdid.IalsoexpectedtoseevacantlotsandIdid.TheonlythingdifferentisthatIdidnotseeabadarea.
• Basedontheresearch,theSouthEndistypicalofapost-industrialurbanneighborhood.Thereareparcelsoflandthatarereminiscentofonceprosperoustimesbutthecurrentstatusotherwisesuggestsanareaofeconomicsuffering.LocalonlinesourcessuggestedanimmigrantshiftfromWesternEuropeantocurrentlyLatinomajority.Fromwalkingaround,thefewresidentsthatIencounteredappearedtobeofLatinocommunity.Localbusinessescatertosuchpopulationsuchasthefinancialservices(money-gram)andtheHispanicrestaurants.
Whatisthemostoutstandingfeatureofthiscommunity?
• Themostnotablethingabouttheneighborhoodistheamountofvacantbuildingsandlotsinthearea.
• Thepeopleseemtoacceptyouforwhoyouare.• Themostoutstandingfeatureistheconstructionofaffordablehousing.Loyola'sdiligence
andcommitmenthasclearresults.TheconstructionofLibertyCommonshasaffirmedthecorporation'slegitimacy.Residentshaveseenaclearchangefromabandonedparcelsoflandtonewaffordablerentalunits.
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 48
Listthreepositivethingsyouobservedaboutthiscommunity:
• Availabilityofspaceandvacantland• Proximitytothecitycenterandhighways• Thegreatfoodandrestaurants• Thepeople,immigrantpopulationandhistory,commitmentofresidentsandbusiness
ownerstoenactchangeandprogression.• Lowcosthousingavailability• Richhistoryofthearea• LoyolaDevelopmentGroupitselfisahugeassetforthecommunity• Historicarchitecture• Despitehighpoverty,notalotofdrugs,crime,loitering• Locationneartheriver• Strongreligiouspresenceinthecommunity• Highqualityschools
Whatarethetoppotentialopportunitiesavailabletothiscommunity?
5. Takeadvantageofvacantlandandabandonedbuildingsfornewdevelopment:TheSouthEndhasendlessopportunitywiththevacantland.Thisprovidesthecommunitywithanareatodeterminewhatislackingintheneighborhoodincludingpublic,privateorcommercialspaceneeds
6. Providetrainingforresidentsinskillsthatwillfacilitatedevelopmentsuchasconstructionandleadershiptraining
7. ConsiderGreenbeltdevelopmenttotakeadvantageoflocalriveraccessWiththerivernolongerheavilypolluted,therecreationalpossibilitiesareendless.Familiescanfinallyhaveacommonsharedspacetointeractandenjoynature
8. TakeadvantageoflocationLinkedbetweendowntown,thehighwaysystem,andNaugatuck,theSouthEndhaspotentialforbusinesspatrons.Theareaiseasilyaccessibleforpeopleinsurroundingcommunities.
Otheropportunities:• Thenearbyschoolisattractiveforparentswithyoungchildren.• Buildlowercost,affordablehousing• Rehabexistingparkspacesinsteadofbuildingnewones
Whatarethebiggestobstaclesorchallengesfacingthecommunity?
6. SoilandwaterpollutionIncludestrash,contaminatedlandandbrownfieldsthatrequirelotsofinvestmenttodevelop.Becausetheimmensecostofremediatingtheland,littleprogressismade.
7. Lackofcommunityparticipation,uninformedorunmotivatedresidentsManyoftheresidentsalsoarenotinformed.Illinformedresidentsarenotlikelytoactivelyparticipatein
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 49
change.Illinformedresidentsonlyperpetuatethenegativefeelingsoftheneighborhood.Evenifchangeoccurs,theneighborhoodmustcombatgentrification.Risinghomeandrentpriceswillforceoutlongtimeresidentsandwillbereplacedbyamoreaffluentclassofpeople.
8. LackofaccessibilityintheneighborhoodDespitetheneighborhood'sgreatlocationnearhighways,itlackspublictransportation,bikelaneselderlyandhandicappedaccess
9. Poverty10. VacantlandandabandonedbuildingsAsnotedthisisanopportunityandanassetbut
theseareeyesoresintheneighborhood.MuchvacantlandintheSouthEndistheresultofabsenteeownership.Whenpeopleandorganizationsinquireabouttheland,theownerscannotbelocatedorcontacted.Thismakesitverydifficultfordevelopmenttotakeplace.
Whatwillyouremembermostaboutthiscommunitysixmonthsfromnow(negativeorpositive)?
• IthinkwhatIwillremembermostisalltheabandonedbuildingsinthearea.Therearejustsomanyintheareawe'vebeenlookingat.Iwouldsaythattherehastobeafewoneverystreet.WhatIwouldliketoseemostisthatifIevercomebacktotheSouthEndthatIcanseealltheseabandonedbuildingsrefurbished.
• Thesmellofallthefoodthatsmellsgreat.• ThemostsignificantimageIhaveabouttheneighborhoodisthedumpingandlitter.Along
secondarystreets,garbageoccupiesvacantlandandbrokenglasscoverspartsofthesidewalk.Theareaisnotsafeforchildrentoplaybythemselves.Asidefromthethreatofcrime,theycouldeasilyharmthemselvesintheseneighborhoods.
Whathaveyoulearnedthathaschangedyourimpressionofyourowncommunity?
• Ihaveanewappreciationformyneighborhood.IneverlivedneartheoldindustrialsectorDanburyusedtohavebutalltogethertoldthecityhasheldtogetherevenwithindustryleavingthecity.
• Thatthereissomethingthat,thatneighborhoodhasthatminedoesn’tandsomethingthatminehasthattheirsdoesn’t.
• Ihavelearnedthatdespitethecurrentneighborhoodstatus,manyresidentsarediligentlyworkingtoimprovetheneighborhood.Ihadassumedthatmostresidentswereapathetictothecondition.Fromthepaneldiscussion,thereisstillacoregroupofpeoplethatcareaboutthecommunity,businesses,andtheresidents.
Hasthisexperiencegivenyouanynewideasaboutwhatisneededinyourowncommunity?
• TheareaIliveinismostlyresidentialandnearoneofthecommercialdistrictsinmycity.IthinkwhatmyneighborhoodneedsismoreseniorcareafterwalkingthroughtheSouthEnd.Ijustrealizedthatmanyelderlypeoplemightnotactuallybelivingwithfamilysotheyneedsomeplacetolive.
• Yesthisdefinitelygavemeideas.• NotmanyparallelscanbedrawnfromtheSouthEndandmyownneighborhood.TheSouth
Endisadeprivedneighborhoodwhereasmycommunityismuchmoreaffluentanddoesnothavethesameissues.Alreadyparticipatinginthreedifferentcommunityorganizations,
* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 50
Iworkwithmyfellowneighborstosolvethelocalizedproblemswithinmytown.Describeoneideathatyouwillborrowforuseinyourowncommunityanddescribehowyouwillimplementit.
• Thereareafewbuildingsonlevelgroundinmyneighborhoodthatisclosetothemainroad.Ithinkitwouldbeagoodideatobuildseniorhousingtheresothatpeoplewouldhaveaneasytimeaccessingthebuildings.
• Weareinneedofrecreationalactivitiesintheareabecausetheothersarelocatedindowntown.Iwilltrytostartsomethingatthehighschoollikeanafterschoolgameday.
TheConnecticutFirstImpressionsprogramwasadaptedfromtheUW-ExtensionFirstImpressionsProgramdevelopedbyAndrewLewisandJamesSchneiderin1991andrevisedbyAndrewLewisin2002and2007.LauraBrown,LauraDombrock,andAnnWiedfurtherrevisedtheFirstImpressionsprogrammanualsin2014.Inaddition,LisaMcKinnon,JayMoynihan,Solomon,BeverlyStencel,DianaTscheschlok,IngridWest,andKristineZaballosprovidedvaluableinput.TheprogramwasrevisedandadaptedforConnecticutin2015byLauraBrownandSusanWesta.TheConnecticutFirstImpressionsProgramisajointprogramofUConnExtensionandtheConnecticut
MainStreetCenter.ThankyouforparticipatingintheCommunityFirstImpressionsProgram.QuestionsabouttheConnecticutFirstImpressionsprogramshouldbedirectedto:LauraBrown-Community&EconomicDevelopmentEducatorUniversityofConnecticutDepartmentofExtensionFairfieldCountyExtensionCenter67StonyHillRd,Bethel,CT06801-3056Direct:203.207.0063*Main:203-207-8440laura.brown@uconn.eduorSusanWestaConnecticutMainStreetCenterEversourcePOBox270,Hartford,[email protected]@ctmainstreet.org