FUTURE LEADERS Detroit Community Initiative GIS Summer Youth Corps 2003 Final Report

Transcription

1 FUTURE LEADERS Detroit Community Initiative GIS Summer Youth Corps 2003 Final Report 9 th Precinct by Wayne State University College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs Center for Urban Studies Urban Safety Program August

2 Introduction This report documents current housing and environmental conditions in two neighborhoods in Northeast Detroit. This project was supported by the 9 th Precinct Weed and Seed Initiative. Weed and Seed is a crime abatement program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice. The data collection, mapping, and analysis represents the work of 12 youth who participated in Detroit Community Initiative s Future Leaders GIS Youth Corps. These youth received training in geographic information systems (GIS) and portable computing technologies to collect and analyze data on neighborhood conditions. Wayne State University s Urban Safety Program, part of the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs Center for Urban Studies, provided GIS training and technical support. The information in this report will be used to guide planning, problem-solving and program evaluation activities. This report is available to the public through DCI s web site at 2 2

3 Description The purpose of the project was to provide a current snapshot of housing and environmental conditions in two neighborhoods defined by police scout car areas 9-2 and 9-6. The focus of the data collection, mapping and analysis work was to identify place-specific, public safety problems that detract from residents quality of life. These include: dangerous properties, abandoned vehicles, and illegal dumping locations, among others. Twelve youth under the supervision of DCI staff and Wayne State University researchers conducted neighborhood surveys using portable computing devices, GIS software and GPS receivers. Data were mapped to specific properties using a property ownership database from the City of Detroit. A series of maps was produced to illustrate the presence of dangerous properties, abandoned vehicles, and illegal dumping in these neighborhoods. 3 3

4 Youth Participants Over four weeks, twelve youth ages completed training in GIS technology. Youth received certificates upon successful completion of web-based training modules. The modules included: Introduction to GIS, Global Positioning Systems, Making Maps with ArcExplorer, Mobile Mapping Using ArcPad, Mapping with ArcView, and Making Effective Presentations. Jonathan Williams Joshua Williams Edwin Hopkins Isaiah Mayes Alisha Rogers Ashley Coley Lateefha Aaron Quanicia Kirk Terrell Kendrick Stacie Johnson Tracy Coley Anastasia Sholar 4 4

5 Staff Wayne State University s Urban Safety Program, part of the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs Center for Urban Studies, coordinated the GIS training, field data collection and technical support for the project. David Martin, Wayne State University Roy Wilds, Wayne State University Erick Barnes, University of Detroit-Mercy Mike Fisher, Detroit Community Initiative, Inc. Tracy Coley, Detroit Community Initiative, Inc. 5 5

6 A mobile mapping system developed by Wayne State University s Urban Safety Program was used to collect information about properties in the target areas. The system consists of the following: ArcPad geographic information systems software from ESRI, Inc. Compaq IPAQ, TabletPC and Viewsonic Viewpad portable computers. Global positioning system (GPS) receivers from Garmin and Radio Shack. Digital cameras from Hewlett-Packard. GIS data from the City of Detroit and Wayne County. Aerial photos from GlobeExplorer. 6 6

7 Financial Support Funding for this project was provided by the 9 th Precinct Weed and Seed Initiative, City of Detroit Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, State Farm Insurance, Kroger Foundation, St. Raymond Catholic Church, and Detroit Community Initiative. Wayne State University s Urban Safety Program provided its support through a grant that it received from The United Way of Southeastern Michigan. Data used in the project were obtained from Wayne County by WSU through its intergovernmental data sharing agreement. 7 7

8 The Target Area The target area consists of police scout car areas 9-2 and 9-6. These neighborhoods are the focus of the 9 th Precinct Weed and Seed Initiative. The population of the target area is approximately 25,000 encompassing over 8,700 properties or land parcels. Both areas are mainly residential. The population and selected social demographic information for each scout car area are shown on following slides. Of note, there are relatively few neighborhood associations and blocks clubs active in the target area. Boundaries 9-2: 8 Mile, 7 Mile, Hayes, and Schoenherr 9-6: 7 Mile, Houston-Whittier, Kelly, and Gratiot. 8 8

9 Population and Demographics Scout Car Area 9-2 Boundaries: 8 Mile, 7 Mile, Hayes, and Schoenherr 9 9

10 Population and Demographics Scout Car Area 9-6 Boundaries: 7 Mile, Houston-Whittier, Kelly, and Gratiot

11 Community Organizations and Non-Profits Neighborhood Groups Registered Non-Profits NORTHEAST VILLAGE CDC 11 11

12 Current Land Use The target area encompasses over 8,700 properties or parcels. The target area is mainly residential in terms of land use. Commercial properties are concentrated along Gratiot, 7 Mile and 8 Mile. Most of the vacant land is concentrated south of State Fair in scout car area 9-2 and west of Hayes in scout car area

13 Major Property Owners Number of Parcels Owned City of Detroit (315) Theodore Jackson (263) MRP (121) * MCA (73) * Jeffrey Cusimano (42) Community Mortgage Svc (33) Gratiot Associates (29) RIMCO (27) * One-Ten LLC (20) * One Management (17) * Merrill Management (16) J Gudich (15) J Schwartz (14) One Twelve LLC (14) * A Shifman (13) * Indicates ownership transfer in progress due to bankruptcy proceedings 13 13

14 55% Homeownership Homeownership patterns in the target area were mapped by comparing the taxpayer address with the property address. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, homeownership was approximately 55% in the target area

15 444 Problem Properties Over 300 of the 444 problem properties identified are located in scout car area 9-6, west of Hayes. These properties include dangerous buildings, abandoned vehicles, dumping sites and vacant homes or lots that are not being maintained. Problem property owners include: Taxpayer (41) MRP (39) * City of Detroit (38) MCA (20) * Theodore Jackson (15) RIMCO (11) * One-Ten LLC (8) * One-Twelve LLC (5) * Total Property Management (5) One Management (5) * * Indicates ownership transfer in progress due to bankruptcy proceedings 15 15

16 225 Dangerous Buildings 225 dangerous buildings were mapped 185 in scout car 9-6 and 40 in scout car 9-2. These include homes that are burned or run down and were clearly not livable nor secured. The 185 dangerous buildings in scout car 9-6 represents a significant increase from 2002 when 107 dangerous buildings were identified. This is a 73% increase. Major owners of dangerous homes and buildings include: MRP (19) * Taxpayer (12) MCA (9) * City of Detroit (9) RIMCO (5) * One-Ten LLC (5) * Total Property Mgt (4) One-Twelve LLC (4) * * Indicates ownership transfer in progress due to bankruptcy proceedings 16 16

17 107 Dumping Locations 107 dumping locations were identified 34 in scout car 9-2 and 72 in scout car 9-6. These locations include those where large amounts of debris, gas tanks, or other junk was clearly visible. The 72 dumping sites in scout car 9-6 represents a decrease from 2002 when 97 dumping locations were identified. Major property owners included: City of Detroit (10) Taxpayer (9) Theodore Jackson (6) MRP (3) * MCA (3) * Sunrise Properties (2) One Management (2) * * Indicates ownership transfer in progress due to bankruptcy proceedings 17 17

18 157 Abandoned Vehicles At least 157 abandoned vehicles were identified on or near properties 45 in scout car 9-2 and 112 in scout car 9-6. These include inoperable vehicles or vehicles that had been dumped. The 112 abandoned vehicles in scout car 9-6 represents a significant decrease from 2002 when 222 vehicles were spotted. Property owners included: MRP (12) * City of Detroit (8) Taxpayer (5) Theodore Jackson (4) MCA (4) * RIMCO (3) * Richard Neuenfeldt (2) * Indicates ownership transfer in progress due to bankruptcy proceedings 18 18

19 The Dirty Dozen Properties The Dirty Dozen lists the most persistent trouble spots and unsightly properties in the target area. Youth working with DCI created this list to identify specific properties as "priorities" for problem-solving Grover large burned building* Linnhurst abandoned home* Glenwood abandoned home Glenwood abandoned home Fordham abandoned home Houston-Whittier dangerous bldg Alma burned home* Manning burned home Faircrest abandoned home Linnhurst abandoned home Linnhurst abandoned home E. 7 Mile Road tires, dumping Gratiot abandoned Fretter Bldg

20 and Recommendations The FUTURE LEADERS survey of over 8,700 properties revealed a substantial increase (+73%) in the number of dangerous buildings in scout car area 9-6. Many of these buildings had been burned since last year. Recent discussions with community leaders and police officials testify to this increase. The survey also showed declines in the number of abandoned vehicles (-50%) and illegal dumping locations (-25%). A large share of the problem properties, perhaps 40% to 50%, in scout car areas 9-2 and 9-6 are associated with the MCA/RIMCO bankruptcy. The ownership status of these properties needs to be examined and strategies developed to expedite demolition or transfer to responsible organizations. Neighborhood associations, community organizations, police, and neighborhood City Halls such should re-double their community education and organizing efforts in scout car areas 9-2 and 9-6. Efforts should target homeowners and others who have a stake in the neighborhood keeping them informed about opportunities to be involved in Weed and Seed activities

21 and Recommendations (continued) Neighborhood standards, as announced earlier this year by Mayor s Office, should be the focus of ongoing community education efforts. Systematic code enforcement targeting priority locations such as The Dirty Dozen should become a regular activity of all city departments. Code enforcement efforts should be guided, monitored, and reported back to the community by the Office of Neighborhood City Halls to ensure that enforcement targets citizen priorities and the areas most in need of enforcement. While City of Detroit policies and programs dealing with abandoned properties continue to be developed and implemented, the 9 th Precinct Weed and Seed Initiative should investigate alternative strategies. The Wayne County Prosecutor s use of nuisance abatement law to take legal action to acquire title to abandoned homes may represent an alternative to some existing City programs. Dangerous buildings owned by the City of Detroit should represent an immediate risk management issue. These properties should be boarded up and secured by the City. The FUTURE LEADERS survey identified at least 9 dangerous buildings owned by the City of Detroit

22 and Recommendations (continued) Short-term efforts by government and community organizations should focus on areas adjacent to stable neighborhoods so to build upon existing community strengths and to stem possible neighborhood decline resulting from spillover of problems from weaker neighborhoods. This includes both community organizing and enforcement. Government and community organizations should investigate the possibility of setting up a rewards program, similar to CrimeStoppers, for the reporting of illegal dumping. It may be possible to set up a viable program to encourage reporting and reward citizens in cases where prosecution is successful