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AMERICAN DREAM DOWN PAYMENT ACT IN WASHINGTON …
Approximately 80,000 low income families will receive millions in grants
over the next two years to help them pay down payment and closing costs
on their first home under legislation backed by the National Association
of Realtors. The American Dream Down Payment Act, H.R. 1276/S. 811,
passed its final hurdle in Congress on 12/9/2003 and headed to President
Bush for his signature. Please visit www.realtor.org
for more information.
CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATES BERKELEY PARK AS PRESERVATION
DISTRICT …
From The Post Standard: Neighbors, December
4, 2003
Berkeley Park became Syracuse’s second preservation district in early
December 2003, officially tying the future of 139 properties in the
East Side neighborhood to its past. The Syracuse Common Council unanimously
approved the designation at the urging of an apparent majority of area
homeowners. About 75 percent of the residents signed a petition asking
for the designation, and 37 people spoke at a city planning commission
public hearing supporting the plan. About 6 resident spoke against the
designation at that hearing, raising concern that it could unduly limit
property owners’ rights. Supporters believe the designation will help
prevent absentee landlords from "invading" the neighborhood.
The new rules will apply to the exteriors of all buildings, open spaces
and public areas within the district boundaries. The legislation that
created the district not4s its unique characteristics:
No two blocks are entirely the same elevation. Most
the streets curve, climb, and descend noticeably.
The neighborhood is made visually interesting by its use of terracing,
elevated sidewalks, public stairways, shared alleys and driveways,
varied alignment of streets, dense lots and the park-like effect of
street trees and private gardens.
Acorn Path, one of the streets within the district, is a unique, limited-access
street. Its east and west ends are open to vehicle traffic, but its
center portion is limited to pedestrian use.
SU ORGANIZES PROGRAM TO BENEFIT LOCAL SYRACUSE
COMMUNITY …
When many off-campus student residents leave their Syracuse-area neighborhoods
at the end of the semester, they leave behind unwanted household items
that are still in usable condition. As a result, the SU Office of Off-Campus
Student Services and SU Office of Government and Community Relations
organized a donation program to benefit community members who could
put such items as furniture and household appliances to good use. Representatives
from Catholic Charities and the InterReligious Council set up at various
corners throughout the University Neighborhood from May 5 to May 12,
2003. They gathered used items in good quality condition such as furniture,
small appliances, silverware, linens, blankets, and plates. The Rescue
Mission also agreed to pick up used items in good condition in the 13210
zip code on Fridays throughout the same period. If you know of an organization
that needs donations, please contact Marisa Craybas of SU Office of
Government and Community Relations at 443-3919 or email her at mmcrayba@syr.edu.
SOME OLDER ADULT NEIGHBORS NEED HELP …
The Neighborhood Advisor Program has the ability to link various kinds
of services available for older adults (age 60+) including free meals,
transportation, art and computer education, nutrition counseling, financial
and legal consultation, and companionship … to name a few. The
Neighborhood Advisor Program was founded in 1980 by the Onondaga County
Department of Aging and Youth in response to documented needs for more
information and assistance to human services by older adults. It was
a "grassroots" policy initiative utilizing the best practices
of community-based organizations, neighborhood outreach, and human service
delivery.
We need your help in reaching out to these older adults who live in
the University Neighborhood who could use some help. They could be a
relative or a family friend. They could be members of your congregation.
They could be neighbors. The plain simple fact is we can’t help if we
don’t know who they, where they are, or what their needs are.
So, if you know of an older adult person who could use some help, please
contact Paul Demong, Neighborhood Advisor (trained to help older adults
get the services they need and informed of programs available in the
community), at the Westcott Community Center at 478-8634.
CITY BEAUTIFUL …
Syracuse has 890,000 trees and 1,000 acres of greenspace. In the University
Neighborhood, Thornden Park is 76 acres
of parklands, topography and natural beauty. It was preserved after
the City purchased the property from the Davis Estate in 1921. The recently
renovated Carriage House is thought to be part of the Davis Estate greenhouse.
The Syracuse Rose Society cares for the E.M. Mills Rose Garden, which
is internationally known as one of the oldest and finest, rose gardens
in America. This summer Thornden’s Amphitheater hosted Syracuse’s first
ever William Shakespeare in the Park Festival. Barry
Park is a neighborhood park established by citizen petition in
1944 and approved by the Syracuse Common Council. The 13 acres of recreation
area was purchased from George Lyings and is home to youth recreation,
soccer and baseball games. A true community park since its inception,
Barry Park’s playground was renovated and reconstructed by the Barry
Park Association in 2001.
SPECTACULAR SUNSETS OF THE UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD
The Post Standard (10/4/2003) listed the hill on Morningside Terrace
(behind Ed Smith Elementary School), Westminster Park (at the top of
stairs leading up from Euclid Avenue), and the water tower at Thornden
Park (with its sweeping view to the west) as three of 15 of the choicest
spots Central New York offers for sunset viewing. How fortunate we are
to have so many "choice" spots to end our day …
"Are, here at the nowhere of
the rainbow’s end, where even light has failed its situation, slant
the only life it ever had, where even the most gallant sunset can’t
hold back for more than a nonce the rain-laden eastern sky of night.
It’s clear. It’s clear."
From Dear Miss Emily by James
Galvin
PARENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF SYRACUSE …
As demonstrated by the topic selected for our
annual meeting in September, the UNPA Board of Directors recognizes
the importance of public school education in supporting our mission
of promoting the University Neighborhood and increasing owner-occupancy.
If public school education is also one of your concerns, the Parents
for Public Schools of Syracuse is part of a national network of parents
and concerned citizens (PPS, Inc.) united to foster and support public
school education. PPS, Inc. has an organized presence in over 20 states.
They promote the concept of public education as a cornerstone of society.
To learn more about PPS or to become a member of PPS, contact the Parents
for Public Schools of Syracuse at 278-4841 or email them at parents4publicschoolsyr@yahoo.com.
You can also check out the PPS, Inc. web site at www.parents4publicschools.com.
RESIDENT FINALLY FEELS "AT HOME"
As an army brat, growing up meant never staying in one place too long.
In fact, my stint in Syracuse has been the longest I have ever lived
in one place. I moved to Syracuse in 1992 to attend college at the State
University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
More than ten years later, I still live in the neighborhood, now as
a homeowner rather than a student renter.
After graduating in 1995 with a Bachelors degree in environmental studies,
I remained in Syracuse to pursue a graduate degree at SUNY-ESF and the
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
While in grad school, I met my husband Brian, an employee of Syracuse
University. With both of us closely tied to the University, when we
decided to purchase our first house, the natural choice was to stay
in the University Neighborhood.
In 1999, I obtained a job with the City of Syracuse, Department of Community
Development. For nearly three years, I worked as a planner for the City’s
Eastside neighborhoods as well as managing several programs funded through
Federal grants. In May 2002, I switched roles and joined Crucible Materials
Corporation as an Environmental Specialist.
I have stayed in the University area and Syracuse so long because I
like the people, the look and feel of the neighborhood, the proximity
of businesses and other amenities, but most importantly, I feel at home.
From someone who has lived in many places, that says a lot.
Donia Zilles
UNPA President
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
If you hear of a house coming up for sale, or if you hear of someone
who wishes to live in, and buy a home in, the university neighborhood,
by all means call UNPA at 476-5228. We will network with real estate
agents and share information about what help is available from UNPA
and other organizations.
UNPA’s goal is promotion of owner occupancy. At this time, most "mint
condition" houses in our neighborhood are selling very well. The
challenge now, as when UNPA was formed in 1990, is bring back into owner
occupancy some of the houses that have been rental properties. We are
particularly interested in hearing from rental property owners who are
ready to sell a house in the area. There are several blocks in the area
that will benefit from the return of two or three homes to owner occupancy.
With that change, they can join may other blocks that have the balance
of families and students that many of us appreciate about the neighborhood.
We look forward to hearing from you.
TALK TO A LAWYER FREE …
Come in and "chat" with a lawyer and ask questions anonymously
and confidentially without cost or legal obligation to hire the consulting
lawyer. The "Talk to a Lawyer" program is held every Thursday,
7-8PM, at the Westcott Community Center, 826 Euclid Avenue. Consulting
lawyers are members of the Onondaga Bar Association. 117 people have
already sought free legal advice through this program. Topics range
from divorce to landlord-tenant issues. For more information, please
call 478-8634.
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