Fort Wood Neighborhood Association Newsletter for September 2007

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING IN SEPTEMBER
On September 18, all members of the Fort Wood neighborhood were invited to attend a forum in the Fort Wood Apartments Tea Room to discuss quality of life and safety issues in our area. (If you did not receive a newsletter or notification via e-mail, please contact mazaha@vei.net or call 266-6058.) Mary Ann Zaha, who coordinated the meeting, has submitted the following report:

The goal of the meeting was to collectively express concerns. Participants were broken into three groups and asked to express their views on Safety, Quality of Life, and What is Being Done in the Neighborhood That You Like. After the initial lists were generated, each member of the group was asked to identify two concerns that were most important to them from each of the three lists. The following is a compilation of the groups’ three lists and the corresponding rank of importance expressed for each item. A detailed report will be presented at the follow-up meeting which is scheduled for February 5, 2008.

Safety Concerns

Breaking and Entering
Lack of Police Presence in the Neighborhood
Speeding Cars
Poor Lighting

Quality of Life - Improvements Needed

Noise Control - Late Night Parties
Panhandling
Barriers of trust - Students vs. Residents
Absence of a Playground

Things We Like About the Neighborhood

Diversity (Overwhelming Vote)
Great place for Walking
Great People/Neighbors
Neighborhood Hospitality

Additionally, in post-session debriefing, group members observed that there is a need for unity, bringing neighbors together to achieve common, acceptable goals. Neighbors also noticed that different areas of Fort Wood have different concerns. For example, neighbors on Vine and Oak Streets expressed traffic concerns, whereas neighbors on 5th and Fort Wood Streets worried about crime. One person said, “I notice our concerns are about what is next door, rather than what is next door to our neighbors.”

Nearly everyone involved in this process expressed willingness to attend another session devoted to generating solutions. The more residents who attend, the better we will be able to meet the needs of the neighborhood as a whole. The process is non-judgmental and provides neighbors with a safe place to offer their input and participate in positive change for the neighborhood we all are proud to live in.

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. when we will hold our follow-up session devoted to coming up with concrete proposals for making this a better place to live and work. We need each other’s creativity and ideas.

We wish to thank the following people for helping with the September meeting: Facilitators—Bea Lurie, Tom Bibler, and Mike Peterson; Child Care Provider—Catherine Martin; Refreshments—Nancy Bibler and all who brought desserts; Statistics/Recording—Jesse Peterson; and the Fort Wood Apartments—Bruce Hagemeyer.

Everyone agreed it was a very productive evening, and we look forward to the next session.

PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency, at the request of the Chattanooga City Council in response to neighborhood concerns in the Fort Wood area, has been conducting a study of zoning issues in Fort Wood. The planning agency examined the existing zoning and land use, explored neighborhood concerns of non single-family uses within the study boundary, and examined trends in the issuance of special use permits. On Tuesday, November 12, 2007, the agency will provide policy recommendations to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission and to the City Council to serve as a guide for the neighborhood and direct decision-making in an appropriate manner so as to protect its character and retain land use diversity.

FALL SPARKLE DAY
The weekend of November 17-18 has been selected for the fall clean-up in preparation for the Fort Wood Tour of Homes on November 30th. Amanda Tarr is arranging for dumpsters to be available in the neighborhood throughout the weekend. This will be a good time to work on our own yards, but we also need help with general clean-up tasks around the neighborhood. Please check with Amanda to find out how you can be of the greatest assistance.

STREET CLEANING
Amanda Tarr is arranging for street-cleaning in Fort Wood the during the week of Thanksgiving. If parking off the street is an option for you during this time, it would facilitate the cleaning. Thank you.

FORT WOOD TOUR OF HOMES
The tour is scheduled for Friday, November 30, 2007. Co-chair Catherine Martin reports that volunteers are needed for two committees which won’t involve major work but will be needed around the time of the tour. Eight houses on Vine Street and Oak Street will be on the tour. Tickets go on sale November 12, and decorations will go up during the week of November 11th. Billboards will be going up around Chattanooga soon to advertise the tour. Please contact Catherine (267-6505 or catandmatt@earthlink.net) or Jackie Cook (266-1649 or clacahrack@aol.com) to offer your help.

BREAK-IN
A break-in occurred last month at 900 Oak Street. This is a reminder to all of us to be vigilant about keeping doors and windows locked

Don’t Miss These Neighborhood Events

Tuesday, November 12 – Planning Commission Meeting
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Nov 16-18 – Sparkle Days
Friday, November 30th – Ft. Wood Tour of Homes
Sunday, December 9th – Holiday Chili Supper, 4:00 PM at Biblers’
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 – Neighborhood Improvement Meeting