[ Data Book ]
The success of any planning effort rests on the level of participation and input from neighborhood residents. Realizing this, the planning team was committed to making sure that the current plan spoke to the actual perceptions of the residents and community leaders of Emerson Park. To achieve this, input from both residents and institutional community leaders was obtained through a survey interview process. Interview data was then analyzed to yield both qualitative and quantitative findings in an effort to better understand perceptions of neighborhood strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Prioritization of identified issues and concerns were also obtained from interview data. Finally, specific strategies and potential obstacles to successful implementation of neighborhood improvement efforts were listed. The specific survey process and the results obtained are detailed below.
Resident interviews were conducted during a two-day, door-to-door neighborhood canvassing effort in February 1998. A total of 108 resident interviews were obtained. During the interviews, residents were asked to comment on daily life in Emerson Park by rating current conditions and services, identifying strengths and needs, and pointing out unique opportunities and threats to the revitalization efforts. In this way, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. A copy of the resident interview instrument is included in the Appendix of this document. Specific objectives for the resident interviews included:
Residents that were interviewed represented a diverse group. The sample included men and women, (newcomers and long time residents), and home owners and renters from a range of incomes levels and educational backgrounds. A profile of these residents is provided in the tables 6.1-6.3 below.
Table 6.1
Number of Year Residents Lived in Emerson Park
Resident Interview, 1998
Number of Respondents = 94
Table 6.2
Housing Tenure: Renters and Owners
Resident Interview, 1998
Number of Respondents = 94
Table 6.3
Residents Desire to Stay in Emerson Park
Resident Interview, 1998
Number of Respondents = 82
This section presents the results from both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the resident interview results.
Residents were asked to rate the quality of current municipal, educational, and social services.
Services rated as "Good’ by residents included:
The most dramatic change in these ratings is seen in garbage removal services. In 1991 garbage removal was rated as poor by 78.7% of residents interviewed. This dramatic up-turn in garbage removal rating is largely due to the clean-up initiatives of local residents and the EPDC.
Services rated as "Poor" by residents included:
Residents reported that the deteriorated condition of the streets makes travel difficult in Emerson Park. One such resident attested to this saying, "It’s hard to get home here with the streets like they are." Residents were quick to point out problem areas such as potholes, missing pavement, and deteriorated conditions, expressing a strong interest in having these deficits addressed in the near future through improved street maintenance efforts.
Over half of the residents stated that neighborhood flooding due to improper drainage is a concern. Repeatedly, residents reported that flooding occurs every time it rains. As a result, one resident expressed, "It’s not safe - not sanitary." Residents want the drainage problem to be addressed and the problem of flooding to be alleviated.
Over half of the residents interviewed reported that many of the street lights in Emerson Park either do not work or are obscured by overgrown trees. Adequate lighting at night is seen as key to improved neighborhood safety. In the words of one resident, "It’s dark down here at night." Repairing and maintaining existing lighting and adding more lighting was identified as a remedy to this problem.
Over half of the residents identified sidewalk conditions as a concern. The condition of the local sidewalks was cited as an additional deterrent to public safety and travel in Emerson Park. One resident stated that, "I keep asking them to fix my sidewalk. One of these days I’m gonna fall and break my neck its so bad."
Although residents did state that the demolition of abandoned houses has improved in Emerson Park, over half still identified a need for continued improvement in the removal of abandoned and derelict housing. Expressing this sentiment, one resident told us, "They’ve [the city] gotten better about knocking down the old houses and getting rid of them but there are still more that need to go." Continuing the progress made in reducing the blight caused by deteriorated housing is a priority for residents.
While resident ratings appear to have improved in all areas, there has been little actual improvement in the physical infrastructure of the neighborhood. Improved ratings may therefore reflect a change in resident perceptions rather than an actual improvement in conditions. That these areas all continue to be classified as "poor" attests to the on-going need for continued and improved effort to improve these services and conditions.
a. Neighborhood Strengths
The survey asked residents, "What is good about daily life in Emerson Park?" One-forth (25%) of the residents interviewed either did not respond to this question or answered by saying that for them, nothing was good about living in Emerson Park. For those who did respond to this question, the most common answers are outlined below.
People
Residents identified fellow residents of Emerson Park as the best element of daily life. "Good neighbors, people who have been in the area for awhile and residents who plan to stay" were common themes to resident responses. A vast majority, 89% of residents interviewed stated that they plan to stay in the Emerson Park. Informal watchfulness was identified as another positive aspect of life within the neighborhood. As one resident put it, "Neighbors here look out for each other."
Accessibility
As a neighborhood that residents described as, "Close to home, work, school, and church," the central location of Emerson Park was another positive feature of neighborhood life identified by residents. Additionally, the fact that the neighborhood offers access to many needed services such as affordable housing and child care and youth activities through the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House was identified as a plus.
Community Character
Residents reported the unique character of Emerson Park as a positive feature. For some residents this meant enjoying the "quiet and peaceful" atmosphere of certain areas of the neighborhood. For other residents, it was the persistence and the optimism of the fellow residents that was best. As one man stated, "The people here won’t give up." Residents’ belief in and vision of a better future for the neighborhood were evidenced in comments such as, "We should build it back up—make it what it used to be- lots of houses and a sense of community." Finally, residents expressed a commitment to assisting in realizing this dream. Over three-fourths, 76.8% of residents interviewed said that they would like to be involved in the planning and revitalization efforts. One young resident’s comment were typical as he stated, "I’ll help out, any way needed."
b. Neighborhood Weaknesses
In an effort to identify resident perceptions of neighborhood weaknesses, the survey asked residents, "What is hardest about day-to-day life in Emerson Park?" Residents identified an array of challenges to daily life in Emerson Park. Responses most frequently given are provided below.
Drugs, Crime & Prostitution
Residents repeatedly highlighted drugs, crime, prostitution, and the problems associated with this type of activity as a major neighborhood problem. In the words of one such resident, "Drug dealers hangin’ out ‘til all hours" is cause for concern. As a result of this type of activity, one mother told us, "I’m scared to even let my children go to the playground because of the drugs."
Vacant Lots & Trash
The number of poorly maintained vacant lots and the dumping of trash were another sore point with residents. Many spoke of how trash from other places gets dumped in Emerson Park. Again, public safety was brought up in reference to this issue. As a result of these conditions, one resident states that, "There are snakes and rats where they don’t mow and that’s not safe- it’s not sanitary."
Abandoned Houses
The number and condition of abandoned houses was mentioned as another challenge to life in Emerson Park. Expounding on this condition, one resident explained, "You try to keep your place up then right next to it is a burned-out place." Compromises in public safety were again a concern for residents. Expressing this, one resident emphasized, "Buildings should not stay vacant- they’re not safe."
Although all of these challenges were also identified in 1991, current conditions are seen as improved over those found in 1991. Almost half, 48%, of residents interviewed rated life in Emerson Park as "satisfactory" and many commented on improvements in the conditions found within the neighborhood.
c. Neighborhood Opportunities
The survey asked residents to identify available neighborhood resources that might prove useful in addressing the issues and concerns facing the neighborhood. The question was, "How can these goals (addressing the issues) best be accomplished?" Responses varied, but the over-arching theme called for continued and expanded cooperation of citizen, local organizations, and governmental entities. According to residents, this cooperation should include the following:
Continuing Involvement of Emerson Park Residents
The strength of resident involvement was seen as key to any neighborhood revitalization efforts. Residents stated that by getting more people involved the neighborhood would improve. Additional comments included assertions such as, "Everybody has to do their part." Listening to resident input was also seen as key. One resident advised, "Put here what the people want and you won’t have any problems."
Establishing Investment Partnerships
A number of residents stated that finding investment partners and getting businesses to invest in Emerson Park will be essential to the revitalization effort. Residents suggested seeking such investments from the local banks. As one resident pointed out, "They (the banks) take our money- they should have to invest some of it back into the neighborhood." Industry that has or still does operate in the area such a Pfizer/ Harcross (Elimentis) was identified as another source of potential investment money.
Involving City Hall
Finally, getting City Hall on board in the revitalization efforts was also seen as essential. In the words of one resident, "They have the money - they just don’t want to spend it on what they should." Residents expressed ideas about how to encourage the involvement of city hall. Included were organized action efforts or in the words of one resident, "Going down to the courthouse and lobbying just like in Washington."
d. Neighborhood Threats
Residents were also asked to identify, "What problems, if any, will have to be overcome in order to meet these goals?" Many residents responded by stating that there would be no problem in reaching these objectives. Others cited a lack of sufficient funds or, "Running out of money - they always run out of money before the job gets done." Still others indicated that, "Getting stuck on one issue and losing the support of the residents," would impose possible barriers to success.
Document author(s) : Cathy Klump
Last modified: 13 October 1999, Deanna Koenigs