Summary
# of Neighborhood Organizations assisted: 6
# of Faith-Based Organizations assisted: 3
# of Municipal Agencies assisted: 1
# of Non-Profits assisted: 5
Introduction
ESLARP and NTAC have hired Ms. Cathy Klump as the new NTAC Director and Mrs. LaTonya Burton Webb as the Community Planner. Mrs. Burton Webb started as the
Community Planner on May 17, 1999 and Ms. Klump will start on June 16, 1999. I (Craig A. Miller, Sr.) will return to my duties as the Community Design Specialist on June 16, 1999 or as soon as possible. I would like to thank the ESLARP Executive Committee, Mr. Percy Harris, Coordinator of the Enterprise Community, Mr. Lynn Baker, Program Manager of the Enterprise Community and Mr. Damon Smith, former NTAC Director, for giving me the opportunity to serve as the NTAC Interim Director from January 18, 1999 to June 16, 1999. I would also like to thank Mrs. LaTonya Burton Webb for serving as the NTAC Interim Community Planner from January 4, 1999 to May 14, 1999. Ms. Klump will prepare the June 1999 monthly report.
Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc. (ANSI) – Alta Sita Neighborhood Summit
On May 11, 1999, ESLARP and NTAC staff and the members of ANSI organized and facilitated the ANSI neighborhood meeting. We discussed the major strategies for improving Alta Sita and ways to encourage more residents to get involved in the revitalization efforts. A preliminary outline for the Alta Sita Neighborhood Comprehensive Plan was presented to the residents for their review and feedback (see attached outline).
On May 19, 1999, I met with Mr. J. T. Turner of Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc. regarding finding funding sources for repairs to his house. I also photo-documented and evaluated the existing condition of his house.
Carver Community Center Roofing Project
This roofing project started on Tuesday, May 11, 1999 and is being funded by Community Development Block Grant Corporation (CDBG). Martin Roofing, Inc from Lebanon, IL is the contractor. I represented the owner (Carver Community Center) as the construction manager and provided day-to-day construction review and construction administration services.
The Carver Community Center is a two-story building (formerly used as a school) with a roof area of 10,000 S.F., built in 1914 and located in the Goose Hill Neighborhood. The scope of work includes removing the existing asphalt shingles; installing new ½" CDX plywood roof decking; new 30 # felt paper; new asphalt shingles; new gable-end face boards and new drip edge. This scope of work is scheduled for completion on June 8, 1999. However, the Carver Community Center Building still needs new vented soffits, new fascia boards on all sides of the building, new gutters and downspouts, new insulation and vapor retarder installed in the attic and the chimney needs tuckpointing to prevent water from leaking in the mortar joints.
Dorris Helping Hand Shelter
Mrs. LaTonya Burton Webb completed a HUD grant (Continuum of Care Grant) in order to receive funding for renovations to the Helping Hand Shelter facility.
East St. Louis Community Action Network (ESL CAN)
The NTAC staff attended the ESL CAN monthly meeting on May 15, 1999.
East St. Louis Housing Authority: Steering Committee
On May 3rd & 4, 1999, I attended a training workshop sponsored by the ESL Housing Authority. The focus of the workshop was to inform steering committee members about the new HUD regulations for housing authorities nation-wide and more specifically in East St. Louis. Borrell Technology, Inc. provided the training for this workshop. The steering committee includes ESL Housing Authority staff, ESL Housing Authority residents, ESL residents at large, ESL CAN Director, James Jones and I. On May 18, 1999, I attended a committee meeting to discuss issues regarding ESL Housing Authority Capital Funds.
East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP) Executive Committee Meeting
The NTAC staff participated in teleconference meetings with the entire ESLARP staff on May 3rd & 17th, 1999.
East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP) Staff Retreat
On May 22, 1999, the NTAC staff attended the ESLARP Retreat in Urbana-Champaign, IL. We executed strategic planning for new activities for the upcoming academic year (1999-2000).
East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP) Symposium on Job Creation Strategies in East St. Louis
This one day symposium was held on May 4, 1999 at the East St. Louis Center of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and was attended by about 35 participants who represented various groups including academics, community-based organizations, professionals and East St. Louis residents.
The symposium came together as part of an ongoing collaborative effort between ESLARP/NTAC (University of Illinois) and the communities in East St. Louis.
As part of this effort, U of I faculty, students and the NTAC staff have created a web-based urban systems analysis model, which predicts the impact of business developments in East St. Louis. This model can be directly accessed and used by the citizens of East St. Louis so that they can participate in public decision-making in a more informed manner. The symposium focused specifically on the Emerson Park Neighborhood, which is currently the focus of much development, especially with the construction of the MetroLink Station and the Parsons’ Place residential development. The objective was to come up with strategies to shape these developments in Emerson Park in a manner that is most beneficial to the residents of the neighborhood, as well as to collaborate in discovering new methods of encouraging development that will lead to maximum job creation (see attached information).
Emerson Park Development Corporation
I attended EPDC’s monthly meeting on May 25, 1999.
Empowerment Zone (EZ) Core Planning Team Meetings
I attended the Empowerment Zone Core Planning Team meeting on May 3, 1999.
Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities
I attended Saturday afternoon meetings throughout the month regarding the planning of the Katherine Dunham 90th Birthday Celebration; facilitated the monthly Dunham Centers’ Board of Directors meeting on May 18, 1999; provided construction administration services for the Dunham Artisanal Village Project and administration of the Dunham Centers’ Urban Resources Partnership Grant (URP).
Mount Siani Baptist Church
On May 21, 1999, I met with Rev. Herman Watson regarding assisting Mt. Siani apply for 501c3. Rev. Watson stated that Mt Siani was prepared to immediately apply for
501c3. The NTAC will submit Mt. Siani’s information directly to the University of Illinois Legal Law Clinic for review.
Morning Star Baptist Church
On May 13, 1999, the NTAC staff met with Rev. Danny Hubbard and his staff regarding the future development of a large multi-functional complex and day care center adjacent to the existing church. The NTAC staff will attend weekly meetings to assist the church in locating various funding sources and with grant-writing services for this project.
Neighbors United for Progress
On May 5, 1999, I met with Mr. Grimmet and Mr. Irving of Neighbors United for Progress regarding a landscaping project called Neighbors Place One located in Centreville, IL. I recruited volunteers to work on this project from the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints. The project will be executed during the month of July 1999.
Mrs. LaTonya Burton Webb mailed approximately 60 flyers for the advertisement of Neighbors’ environmental fair.
NTAC Non-Profit Training Manual
Mrs. LaTonya Burton Webb is in the process of updating and improving the NTAC non-profit training manual.
Olivette Park Neighborhood Association
I attended OPNA’s monthly meeting on May 6, 1999.
Operation New Vision (Washington Park, IL)
On May 19, 1999, the NTAC staff met with Ms. Debra Hunt to discuss nonprofit board of directors training and coalition building training for the organization. Mrs. Burton worked on a training manual specifically for coalition building in order for the NTAC to provide coalition building training and literature to Operation New Vision.
South End New Development Organization
I attended South End’s monthly meeting to discuss NTAC program activities and the process for executing a comprehensive neighborhood plan.
Winstanley/Industry Park Neighborhood Organization
I contacted Ms. Cheryl Oliver to complete the appraisal of the 1240-1242 Gaty Avenue Building. Ms. Oliver has not successfully completed the appraisal; therefore I contacted additional real estate appraisers that would be interested in executing the appraisal.
Budget*
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| Craig A. Miller, Sr., Interim Director/Architect | Salary | $3,750.00 |
| LaTonya Burton, Interim Community Planner | Hourly | $2,160.00 |
| U of I Benefits | Benefits | $970.97 |
| C.L. Wicks | Rent | $750.00 |
| AmerenUE | Utilities | $135.62 |
| Illinois Power | Utilities | $29.01 |
| TOTAL | $7,795.60 |