community first impressions...longer heavily polluted, the recreational possibilities are endless....

COMMUNITY FIRST IMPRESSIONS A PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT & IMPROVEMENT

South Main Neighborhood, Waterbury, CT September-December, 2015

First Impressions completed by:

University of Connecticut, Urban and Community Studies 2000 Students

Richard Brito, Isaiah Bryan, Janylis Costas, Matthew Gallagher, Brittany Gilkes, Kleo Hasimllari, Bryana Kilpatrick, Anthony Luzio, Richard Pierce, Howard Sanders, Charlotte

Udensi, Alex Viel, Jasmine Wade, Taylor Walker, Tamara Wilfong. Overseen by Professor Ruth Glasser, Department of Urban and Community Studies, Associate Extension Educator

Laura Brown, Department of Extension.

* Multiple similar responses combined for brevity 2

TableofContentsExecutivesummary....................................................................................................................3Priortoarrival.............................................................................................................................4The5-Minuteimpression............................................................................................................9Neighborhoodentrances..........................................................................................................10Housing......................................................................................................................................11Businessandeconomy..............................................................................................................16Education,health,socialandemergencyservices ...........................................................21Government,infrastructure,&landuse...................................................................................28Recreation,faith,&culture.......................................................................................................34Informationfromresidents.......................................................................................................36Usingyoursenses......................................................................................................................42Wrap-up....................................................................................................................................47Howtoreadthisreport: =Assetsoropportunities =Obstaclesorchallenges


ExecutivesummaryWhatarethetopassetsorpotentialopportunitiesavailabletothiscommunity?

1. Takeadvantageofvacantlandandabandonedbuildingsfornewdevelopment:TheSouthEndhasendlessopportunitywiththevacantland.Thisprovidesthecommunitywithanareatodeterminewhatislackingintheneighborhoodincludingpublic,privateorcommercialspaceneeds.

2. Providetrainingforresidentsinskillsthatwillfacilitatedevelopment,suchasconstructionandleadershiptraining.

3. ConsiderGreenbeltdevelopmenttotakeadvantageoflocalriveraccess.Withtherivernolongerheavilypolluted,therecreationalpossibilitiesareendless.Familiescanfinallyhaveacommonsharedspacetointeractandenjoynature.

4. Takeadvantageoflocation.Linkedbetweendowntown,thehighwaysystem,andNaugatuck,theSouthEndhaspotentialforbusinesspatrons.Theareaiseasilyaccessibleforpeopleinsurroundingcommunities.

Otheropportunities:• Thenearbyschoolisattractiveforparentswithyoung

children.• Buildlowercost,affordablehousing• Rehabexistingparkspacesinsteadofbuildingnewones

Whatarethebiggestobstaclesorchallengesfacingthecommunity?

1. Soilandwaterpollution.Includestrash,contaminatedlandandbrownfieldsthatrequirelotsofinvestmenttodevelop.Becausetheimmensecostofremediatingtheland,littleprogressismade.

2. Lackofcommunityparticipation,uninformedorunmotivatedresidents.Manyoftheresidentsalsoarenotinformed.Illinformedresidentsarenotlikelytoactivelyparticipateinchange.Illinformedresidentsonlyperpetuatethenegativefeelingsoftheneighborhood.Evenifchangeoccurs,theneighborhoodmustcombatgentrification.Risinghomeandrentpriceswillforceoutlongtimeresidentsandwillbereplacedbyamoreaffluentclassofpeople.

3. Lackofaccessibilityintheneighborhood.Despitetheneighborhood'sgreatlocationnearhighways,itlackspublictransportation,bikelaneselderlyandhandicappedaccess

4. Poverty.5. Vacantlandandabandonedbuildings.Asnotedthisisanopportunityandanassetbutthese

areeyesoresintheneighborhood.MuchvacantlandintheSouthEndistheresultofabsenteeownership.Whenpeopleandorganizationsinquireabouttheland,theownerscannotbelocatedorcontacted.Thismakesitverydifficultfordevelopmenttotakeplace.


PriortoArrivalWhatisyourimpressionoftheNeighborhoodbeforeyourupcomingvisit?Whatareyouexpectingtosee?Sharesomeofwhatyouknowaboutthisneighborhood.

• Iexpecttoseeforeclosedhomes,buildingsindisrepair,andgeneraleyesores.Thoughthelevelofdangermaybelow,theareahasaperceptionofeconomicdeprivation.Ialsoexpecttoseeamixofsmallbusinesses,mainlyintheformofconveniencestores,basedonmypriorknowledgeofthearea.

• Iusedtoliveontheexactstreetweareworkingfrom,soIknowalotofthepeoplethere.Iknowalotofthehomesandhavebeeninquiteafewofthemaswell.Iknowoutofwhichhousesdrugsaresold,andwhichapartmentbuildingtostayawayfrom.Iknowthepoliceactivity,orlackthereof,andthewayoflifeformostpeoplethere;thatwayoflifebeingstate"assisted."Iknowthattherearemanyillegalimmigrantslivinginthearea,andthehousetheyalllivein.Iknowwhitepeopledonotbelongthereandthecopsareawareofthisaswell,asIwasroutinelystoppedwhilewalkingintheneighborhoodandasked"Whereareyoufrom?""What'reyoudoinghere?""Doyouknowanyonewholiveshere?""Whatdoyourparentsdoforwork?"etc./Myimpressionoftheneighborhood'seconomicconditioniswretched.Theareaandthepeoplearenotasbadasonemaythink,thoughtheyarenotthetypeofpeopletohavethatstatementtestedon.

• Lowincome,lowerclassfamilies.Badneighborhoods,life-lessneighborhood,abandonedhousesandboarded-upbuildings.Noparksoractivitiesforchildren.Oldfactories.Vacantlots.

• I'mawarethatWaterburyisfullofLatinossoI’mexpectingtoseemanypeopleofLatindescent.Iknowthecityisold,withmanyabandonedbuildingsthatwereoncefactories,andmanyofthestreetsaremessedup.

• BecausetherearefewwaystogatherinformationaboutthecurrentstateofWaterbury'sSouthEndonline,muchofitsreputationisbasedonwordofmouth.Aswithmanyneighborhoodswithlowerincomeresidents,Ihavehearditcriticizedforhavinghighcrimeratesandpoorlymaintainedproperties.Peopleoftenoverlookthepositiveaspectsofthesetypesofneighborhoodsbecausetheirissuesaresowellknown.

• Ihonestlydidn'tknowmuchaboutthisneighborhoodbeforeIvisited.Iexpectedadiverse,small,walkableneighborhoodwithsomelimitedretailoptions,andmainlylow-incomerentalhousing.

• Beforevisitingtheneighborhood,Iexpecttoseehousesthatarenotcompletelybad,butcouldstandtobeimproved.IexpecttoseealargeLatinopopulationbutalsowithamixtureofCaucasiansandAfricanAmericanspresentaswell.WhenIthinkoftheneighborhoodIalwaysthinkofitasaplacewheretherearealwayspeoplepresent.Manypeoplemaybejustwalkingaroundtheneighborhoodwithothers.

• Theimpressionoftheneighborhoodisthatitseemsimpoverished,perhapslackinginresources.Iseealotofundevelopedareasandnotalotofusefulshopsorbusinesses.

• Iamexpectingittobeanareathatisunderdeveloped.Iexpecttoseesomeabandonedbuildingsandvacantlots.Idonotknowanythingabouttheneighborhood.

• FromwhatIhaveheardabouttheneighborhood,Iamexpectingtoseesomeabandonedbuildings.ThereasonforthisisbecausetheneighborhoodhaslostmanypeopleandjobssincetheconstructionofI-84.Inaddition,Ihaveheardthereissomecrimeinthearea.Myoverallimpressionoftheareaissomewhatnegative.

• Iexpecttoencounteranurbancommunitywithalotoffreelandduetotheamountofbuildingsthatmayhavebeenpreviouslyknockeddownorabandoned.

• PriortovisitingIexpectedtoseeanormalurbanneighborhood.Aneighborhoodfilledwithchildren,playgrounds,icecreamtrucks...etc.,butwhatIsawwasfarfromthat.IamnotveryfamiliarwithWaterburyasidefromtheareaimmediatetotheUCONNcampussoIwascluelesstotherestofthe


areas,especiallySouthEnd.• Ibelieveitisgoingtobeapoorneighborhood,becausethepeoplewholivetherearelowincome,and

Ialsohaveheardthatthereisnotashoppingplazainthatneighborhood,norarethereanygoodrestaurantsorsupermarkets.

• IamnotreallyfamiliarwithWaterburyperiodbecauseIamnotfromhere,but,priortomyarrival,Iexpectedtheneighborhoodtobeveryurban.IthoughtthatIwasgoingtoseeapartmentbuildings,soIwassurprisedthatIsawsomanyhouses.Iknewthattherewasgoingtobeavastamountofabandonedbuildingsorlots.However,IdidnotthinkthatIwasonlygoingtoseeonebigchurchbecauseinmyneighborhoodthereisoneoneverycorner.

Searchdestinationandtourisminformationviawebsitesandsocialmedia.Iftheneighborhoodhasawebsitewriteithere:• Icouldn’tfindone/theareadoesnothaveitsownwebsiteorsocialmediapresence.*• http://www.brasscitylife.org/southend/default.htm• www.freewebs.com/brasscity/southend/htm.• MattatuckMuseum,WaterburyTimeMachine.Brasscitylife.org

Gradeandcommentontheneighborhoodwebsiteforitsappearance,usefulness,andcredibilityofinformation:Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

• Ididnotfindawebsitefortheneighborhood.*• Sitesfoundwerenotveryuseful.Weneedawebsitewithalotofinformationonthecommunity.• IthasmanynicepicturesandquotesbutIamnotsuretheamountofcredibilitythesiteholds.• Notveryuseful.Verybroadhistoryofthesouthendneighborhood.• Theappearanceofthewebsiteisfairlydecentandeasytonavigate.Theusefulnessofthewebsiteis

good,ifyouwanttolearnaboutthehistoryoftheSouthEnd,butthisinformationdoesnotseemtogopasttheconstructionofI-84.Thewebsite'sinformationiscredible,becauseIhavereadtheinformationonothersites,aswellasheardolderpeoplewhomoncelivedaroundtheresaysimilarthings.

• Thewebsitewasveryusefulinprovidinginformationonhowthecommunitylookedinthepastratherthanthepresent.

• ItwasdifficulttofindinfoonSouthEnd.IfinallyfoundsomehistoryandcommentsonitfromtheMattatuckMuseumbutitstilltookalotofdiggingtofindthatlittlepieceofinformation.

• Ilovedhowthehomepagejustgrabbedmyattentionwithallofthepicturesandhedetailstodescribethepicturesrightafter.


Gradeandcommentontheusefulnessandcredibilityofinformationyouobtainedaboutthecommunitythroughsocialmedia(Facebook,Twitter,etc.):Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

• Notapplicable,nosocialmediapresence.*

Identifyandcommentonanyotherwebsitesoronlinesourcesyouused.Wasthereinformationyoulookedforbutcouldnotfindonline?

• Brasscitylife.org/Mattatuckmuseum.org/WaterburyTimeMachine//ThewebsitesaboveprovidedahistoryofthegeneralSouthEnd.Originallyamixed-useindustrialareawithbusinessesandresidents,theindustrialdeclineintheUnitedStatesdevastatedthearea.OnceprimarilyaYankeeandIrishsettlement,theSouthEndhasseenapopulationshifttomorePortugueseandHispanicresidents.Amoreexactbreakdowncurrentlybynationaloriginnotavailable.AnexactdefiningdistrictalsounavailableabouttheSouthEndofWaterbury.

• IusedWaterburyTimeMachine'swebsiteanditprovidedalotofinformation,thoughIuseditmostlyforpictures,attemptingtofindanyfromtheareathatwearestudying.

• www.point2homes.comwasagreatwebsiteforstatisticsordemographics./Waterburytimemachine/Mattatuckmuseum

• There’snotalotofinformationontheSouthEndasthereisonWaterburyasawhole.Igotmoreinformationfrompeoplewholivethereandhavecommentedonthesitethanthesiteitself.

• DetailedinformationabouttheSouthEndiscompiledintodatawhichdescribestheentirezipcodeof06706,meaningitismoredifficulttogetanaccuratepictureofdemographics,crimerates,etc.inthisarea.MostinformationabouttheSouthEndavailableonlinediscussesitshistory,butnotitscurrentstate.

• Ididresearchonthezipcode,butthenrealizedthatthestatisticsunderthezipcodearemuchgreaterthanjusttheSouthEndneighborhood.IalsodidresearchonBrasscitylife.organddidn'treallyfindmuch.ButIwillcontinuetochangesearchandfindmuchmoreinformation.IalsowentonWaterburyTimeMachineandfoundthehistoryonWaterburySouthEndneighborhood.

• HistoryoftheSouthEndparticularlywasunavailable,aswellasasitedirectingmetocommunityresources.

• Yes.Thereisnotmuchinformationregardingthesouthendneighborhoodspecifically.• http://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/CT/Waterbury/South-End-Waterbury-

Demographics.html/WasanotherwebsiteIusedtofindoutvariousstatisticssuchasthemedianandaverageincome,maritalstatus,educationalstatistics,andcrimestatistics.


• MattatuckMuseumwasthemostusefulonmysearch.IcouldnotfindanycommunitywebsitesforSouthEnd.Thatwouldhavebeenveryuseful.

• Onpoint2homes.com,IfoundalotofdatastatisticsregardingtheSouthEnd.Someofthemwereabouttheemploymentrate,theeducationlevel,maritalstatusandtheincomestatus.

• http://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/CT/Waterbury/South-End-Waterbury-Demographics.html/Thiswebsitegavemealotofinformationaboutthedifferenttypesofjobs,maritalstatus,incomes,andeducationthatpeoplewholiveinthisneighborhoodhas.Forexample,Ifoundoutthatnearly2,000peoplewholiveheredonothaveahighschooldiploma.Ialsofoundoutthattherearemorewhite-collarjobsthanblue-collarjobs.

Ifyoucontactedthecommunitytourisminformationofficeorvisitor’sbureauviaemailorphone,gradeandcommentonthefriendlinessandhelpfulnessofstaff.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

• Icouldnotfindthis.Notapplicable.*

IdentifythesenseofthecommunityyouhavefromtheonlineresearchONLY.Whatisyourgutreaction?Wouldyouwanttovisittherewithfamilyorfriends?Doesthiscommunityseemtowelcomeyouorotherstovisitorlivethere?Whyorwhynot?Consideryourincome,age,interests,hobbies,family,health/disabilities,race,andethnicityinyourresponse.

• Idon'tthinkIwouldwalkthroughforastroll.However,IbelieveIwouldbewillingtolive

there,alone,forthesakeofitsproximitytothecenteroftown.• Wellitseemslikeaverywelcomingplacebecauseoftheracialmakeupofthearea.Ithasalot

ofHispanicssoIfeelthatIwouldbeabletofitinverywellasaHispanicmale.Iwouldliketovisitandlookatsomeoftheoldabandonedfactoriesthatusedtostandandserveapurposeonce.

• Fromagutreaction,theneighborhoodissufferingfromindustrialdeclineandthedisplacementfromtheInterstate-84construction.Becausetheneighborhooddoesnothavealistofbusinessesoractivitiesavailable,Iwouldnotvoluntarilyvisitthearea.Thereisnoadvertisingorincentivetovisittheareaforamaleinhistwenties.

• MygutreactionisthatIknowIwillbefinebecauseIamusedtotheenvironmentofpovertyandstruggle.Theotherclassmates,however,Ifeelconcernedfor,becausemanycomefrombackgroundssuchasBeaconFallsandWatertown,neverhavingseenthislifestyleexceptmaybeinTVshowsorinquickpassingofasimilarareaatsomepointintheirlives.

• Itusedtobeasuccessfulplacesociallyandeconomically.Iwouldnotwanttovisittherewith


familyorfriends.Thisneighborhooddoesnotseemwelcomingorattractiveandappealing.Iwouldn'tfitinlivinginthesouthend.Ilikeentertainmentandstufftodo.Thiscommunityisdeadandlifeless,andinneedofrevival.

• Theneighborhoodisn'tsobad,itjustneedsalotofmaintenance.Ihonestlywouldn'twanttolivethere,butit’saplaceIwouldvisitifIhavetoowithoutfeelinguneasyaboutit.

• IftheSouthEndisastroubledassomepeoplesayitis,theonlyreasontolivetheremaybecheaporsubsidizedhousing.Itisfarfromidealasatouristdestination,evenforlocaltravelers.Iamfortunatetohavethefinancialsupportofmyparents,butIcanseehowthesetypesofneighborhoodsmaybetheonlyoptionsforlow-incomeindividualsandfamilies.

• WhenreadingthearticlehandedoutinclassInoticedthatitstatedthatSouthEndneighborhood,afteralongtimeofnotbeingheard,islookingtofinditsvoice.Thatkindofrepresentsasenseofcommunity,seeingthatinordertogetamissionaccomplished,everyonemustbeonthesamepageandwantthesamethings.Butwiththerestofmyresearch,asofnow,Ididnotfindmuchaboutasenseofcommunity.SinceIdidnotfindmuch,Ifigurethattheydonotreallycometogetheronmanythingswhennecessary.

• Iwouldnotconsiderthisanidealdestinationforvisiting.Thereisnostrongpulltobringmethere,anditseemsveryclosedupandlackinginresources.

• Theneighborhoodisnotinviting.Iwouldnotwanttovisit.Thereisnothingthatwouldattractoutsidevisitorstotheneighborhood.

• ThefeelingorsenseabouttheSouthEndfrommyonlineresearchisthatitwasonceagreatplacetolive,butnowitdoesnotseemtobe.Theareahasaboveaveragecrime,whichformeisadeterrentforgoingtherewithfamilyorfriends,andcouldarguablysaidisnotwelcomingformyselforotherstogoandlivethere.Inaddition,thenumberofabandonedbuildings,someofwhichwerefactories,maketheSouthEndapossiblehealthrisk.

• Iamnotexpectingtheneighborhoodtobetoobadordangerous.Mygutistellingmetogoandexploretoseeitformyself.IwouldnotwanttobringmyfriendsorfamilythereuntilIcheckitoutformyself.Ithinktheneighborhoodwillbeunwelcomingtooutsidersbecause,fromwhatIgatheredonline,itismostlyfamilyorientedandcloseknit,sotheresidentsmightbehesitanttowelcomeoutsidersin.

• TherearenoactivitiestodointheSouthEnd,becausetherearenostores,clubs,orparkstovisit.ThereisabsolutelynothingtodoattheSouthEndandIwouldnevercometheretovisitwithfamilyorfriends.

• IfeelthatthisneighborhoodisnothingmorethanwhatIamusedtoseeingaroundwhereIlive.Idonotfeeluncomfortablebeinghere,nordoIfeelunwelcomed.Isaythisbecausetheplaceisveryurban.InoticedthatthereareavastamountofLatinosandAfricanAmericansthatliveinthispartoftown.WhereIcomefrom,thatisallthatyousee.YoumayseesomeWhitepeoplebutnotmany.Mygutreactionisthattheneighborhoodisactuallyverybig.Iwouldgotherewithmyfamilyandfriends,justsoIcanmeetnewpeopleandtryoutthedifferentrestaurantsthatImaynothavearoundmyhome.


5-minuteimpressionEnterthecommunitythroughthedesignatedrouteandtakea5-minutedrivewithoutstopping.Whatwasyourfirstimpression?Findaplacetosafelypullovertothesideoftheroadandwritedownwhatyoufeltaboutthecommunity.

• LookingaroundtheSouthEnd,itwasapparentthatthehomesthatareinaverageconditionaredwarfedbytheabandonedbuildings.Thehomesandbuildingsindilapidatedshapedrasticallylowertheperceptionofthearea.Thereisanabundanceofovergrownweedsinsidewalkareasaswellasthevacantproperties.Thereisalsoanabundanceoflitteronthevacantlots.

• ItisjustasdirtyaswhenIlivedthere.Onthedayofarrivaltherewerefewerpeopleoutthannormal.Theroadsareterribletodriveon,thenormfortheentiretyofWaterbury.Thereistrashandgraffitieverywhere.Thepeopleareseverelyconcernedwithourpresence.Nopoliceoremergencyresponderswereseenanywhere.TherewasalotofvehicletrafficasitisSouthMainStreet.Therearethreeschoolsintheimmediatewalkingdistance;one(visible)church;andveryfewbusinesses(heavytruckmechaniccontractedbythecity,acornerstore,andonetakeoutrestaurant).

• Myfirstimpressionwasthattherearealotofabandonedbuildings.Somebuildingsareokaybutthenthehousenextdoorisdestroyedorboardedup.Thiscausesthevalueoftheneighborhoodtodecrease.Therewerealotof“forrent”signs,whichIperceivedasnoonewantingtolivethere.Ialsonoticedtherearealotofvacantlotsandemptyspacesthatcouldeasilybeturnedintosomethinglikeaparkorparkinglot.Thereweren'tmanypeopleout,maybeduetothetime.Therewasalotoftrafficanditwasverynoisyoncertainstreets.Therewasalotoftrashallovertheplace,whichwasunpleasant.

• Myfirstimpressionwhilewalkingaroundtheneighborhoodisthattherearemanyabandonedbuildingandhouses.Thestreetsaredirtyandsmellyduetothelimitedpresenceoftrashcans.Manyhouseshaverentsignsonthefront,andbasketballhoopsonthegarages.Myconclusionisthatthestreetsaren'tsafeforchildren,sotheyneedtobeentertainedinsidethehouse,alsoasaresultoftherebeingnoparksaroundtheneighborhood.

• Despitemany"NOLITTERING"signs,thestreetswerestrewnwithlitter.Thedamagedandabandonedpropertiesaremixedtogetherwithrespectablehomesandbusinesses.Theneighborhoodhasan"opendoor"culture,asmanypeoplewalkedthestreetsanddoorswereleftopen(possiblyduetotheheat).

• Myfirstimpressionoftheneighborhoodwasthatitwasintransition.Whilethereseemstobealotofblightedandneglectedproperties,Ialsoseesomeinvestmentandnewerhousingdevelopmentalongthemainstreet.Therearemanypeoplewalkingonthestreetandpatronizingthebusinesseshere.Thisseemslikealivelyplace.

• Myfirstimpressionoftheneighborhoodwasthatitlookedliketherewasawholebunchoftrashscatteredaroundeverywhere.Inoticedalotbrokenglassandwindows.Itwasasifpeopledidn'tevenliveinthesehousesanymore.Thebuildingslookedliketheywerecompletelyabandoned,buttherearepeoplelivinginthem.

• Myfirstimpressionisthattheneighborhoodhadgoodqualitiesbutlookedlikeitneededafreshcoatofpaintandsomelandscaping,aswellasanoverhaulinpublicspaces.

• Myfirstimpressionwasthatitwasaneighborhoodthatwasstrugglingfinancially.


• Theneighborhoodhasafewabandonedbuildingsandvacantlots.Therearealotofdogs;peoplemaybegettingthemaspetsbecauseithelpsthemfeelsafethere.Notthegreatestlookingneighborhoodbyanymeans,butitdidgiveofftheimpressionthatitcouldbefixed.

• Iessentiallythoughtthattheneighborhoodwasveryloudandalwayshadsomethinggoingonratheritbebecauseoftheconstantnoisewiththecarsridingby,loudmusic,ortheanimalsintheneighborhood.

• Poverty.Garbagelitteredthesidewalks,streets,andfields.Abandonedbuildingswereturnedintogarbagedumps.

• Theplacelookedreallypoor,thehouseslookedoldandstreetswereprettybad.Ididseeaconveniencestoreandtworestaurants,alsoatireshoparoundthecorner,andaHomeDepot,butjudgingbythelooksofthehousesIdon'tthinkthesepeoplegothere.

• MyfirstimpressionisthatthisneighborhoodisveryUrban.Iamusedtobeinginaneighborhoodthathasemptylotsandabandonedbuildings.Ialsonoticedthatnotalotofpeopleareoutside.

CommunityentrancesApproachthecommunityfromtheothermajorentrances.Gradeandcommentoneachentrance.Whiletheremaybeanobviousmainentrance,therearetypicallymultiplewaystoenteracommunity.Insomecommunitiestheremaybeentrancesforothermodesoftransportation.

Note-DataoncommunityentrancesisavailableonrequestfromUConnExtension.


HousingDescribetheresidentialhousingmixintheneighborhood(apartment,townhouses,single-family,multi-family,etc.).

• Theneighborhoodisamixofmulti-familyhousingintheeastandwhatappearstobesinglefamilyhousinginthewest.OnMillStreettherearemanydilapidatedlookingsinglefamilyhousingaswell.

• ThehousingisallverydifferentmeaningtheyhaveapartmentsbuttheyalsohavethelittlecomplexliketheLoyolahousing,whichisanaffordablehousingcomplex.

• Loyolahasasubstantialblockofaffordablehousing.OntheEastsideofSouthMainSt,houseswith3to4apartmentsaretypical.Fewbusinessesoccupythissideandveryfewsingleresidentoccupieddwellings.1apartmentbuildingnotedwith,8-10apartmentsover4 floors.TheWestsideofSouthMainStreethasasimilarhousing setupwithmorecommercialactivitypresent.

• Mosthousesintheareaaremultifamilyhousing.Thiscan clearlybeseenbythemultipledoorsondifferentlevels,mailboxesonthefront,andnumerousaddressnumbers. Thereareacoupleofapartmentbuildings,butnotasmanyas themultifamily(generally3story)housing.Mygroupobservedonehousethathasstrongsignsofasingle familyunit,thoughwecouldalwaysbewronginthat,anditwas, inourunanimousopinion,thebestlookinghouseinthearea. Wetheorizethatthelackofupkeepontheotherhouses,however,isnotduetotheresidents,butthelandlords. Onecansee,though,bothsidesofthecoinforwhoisto blame(residentvslandlord)

• TherewasonesinglefamilyhomeonEastDoverStreet.Theareawecoveredwasmostlymadeupofmultifamilyhouses.Therewereseveralcluesthatletusknowtheywer emultifamilysuchasthenumberofmailboxes,doors,andtrashcans.Therewasveryfewapartmentsand1townhouseacrossthestreetfromtheareawecovered.

• TherewasonlyonesinglefamilyhouseonEastDoverStandsomeapartmentsonEastLibertyStandEastMainStbutthemajorityaremultifamilyhousing.

• Mostoftheresidentialhousingismultifamilyhousing.Thereareafewsingle-familyhousesinthearea,butmostpeopleliveintownhousesandapartments.Themajorityofthesebuildingsareold,buttherearesomenewerdevelopmentsinthearea.

• Inoticeddowntownthattherearealotofapartments.Sinceitisadowntownsetting,Ididexpecttoseealotofapartmentsandmultifamilyhouses.

• Residentialhousingismostlymadeupofapartments.• Mostlymultifamilyhousesandtownhouses.• Mostofthehomesseemtobeverysmallandhaveabandonedhomesnexttothem,alsotherearemany

apartmentcomplexeswhichmakeupforthesomeofthehousingthatisnotinthisspecificarea.• Thenewerhomesarebuiltmorelikeapartments.Theolderhomesresemblemulti-familyhouses.• AlltheapartmentsIsawattheSouthEndweremostlymultifamilyhomesownedbythepersonthemselves

andmostofthemwereinprettybadcondition,youcouldtellbylookingatthemthattheywereprettyold.Therewastrasheverywhereinthestreetsnearby;thelandscapewasreallybad.


• Theareathatmygroupvisitedlastweekwasfilledwithmainlyoneormultifamilyhouses.Ididnotseeanyapartmentsoreventownhouses.

Gradeandcommentontheoverallquality,affordability,andavailabilityofhousinginthecommunity.

Gradeandcommentontheconditionofthefollowing:

Whatarethemostappealingandleastappealingfeaturesofthehousing?Why?

• Themostappealingfeatureintheneighborhoodisthatthereissomepotentialinthearea.Therearemanyabandonedlotsthatcouldbeusedforbuildingnewhousing.Unfortunately,theleastappealingfeatureoftheneighborhoodisthelackofeconomicopportunityinthearea.

• Theyardsarefullofweedsanddebris;however,mostoftheissuesseemtobewiththehousesthemselves,astheownersdon’ttakecareofthem.Factoriesnearbyalsoexacerbatethesituation.

• TheSouthEndhasessentiallyfilledtheexistingbuildingstocapacity.Thehousingoftenneedscosmeticimprovement,suchaswindowreplacementorsidingreplacement.Themostsignificantbenefitofthisneighborhoodistheavailabilityofspacefornewconstruction.Theneighborhoodcoulduseabettermixofbusinessestohelpmakehousingmoreappealing.


• Themostappealingfeatureswouldbethesidingandwindowsonsomeofthehousesthatshowaclearconcernforappearanceoftheirbuilding.Eveniftheentireinsideofahouseisguttedandvile,somenicesidinganddecentwindowscanmakeamilliondollarhouse.Minimalupkeepisusuallyallittakestokeepaneighborhoodlookingnice;unfortunately,however,mosttenantsandownersdonotseemtosharethisenthusiasmandthebuildingsthenlackthemaintenancerequired.Leastappealingwouldbethehousesthatareabandoned.Brokenwindows,graffiti,boardedupeverything,possiblyfiremarkingsandchar,brokensidewalks,etc.

• ThemostappealinghouseIsawwastheredhouseIsawwhileroamingthetown.Itlooksasifthehomeownerorresidentmaintainitverywell.

• Idon’tfindmuchofanythingveryappealing,buttheleastappealingfeaturesofthehousingareallthesatellitesthatyoucanseeontopofthehouses,showinghowovercrowdedthehousesare.

• Newerdevelopments,whilemoreexpensive,havebreathedsomenewlifeintotheneighborhood.Unfortunately,foreverynewdevelopment,thereareatleast3buildingsthatareworthyofdemolitionduetotheirpoorconditionandage.

• Themostappealingaspectisthatthehousingislocatedinspotsthatarenottoobad.Theleastappealingisthequalityofthehouses.ThecertainhousesseenintheneighborhoodarenotofgreatqualityunlesstheyarelocatednexttoLoyola.

• Leastappealingisthelookandsurroundingsofthehouse.Therearenoappealingfeatures.• Somebuildingsareeitherunkemptorabandoned,whileotherslookgreat.Raisesthequestionof

thelevelofcareofsomeresidents.• Themostappealingfeaturesofthehouseswouldbethespaciousness,andtheleastappealing

wouldbetheclutterandtheclotheshangingoutsideofthesehomes.Ibelievethatclothesshouldhanginabackyardratherthaninthefrontorsideofyourhouse

• Someofthehouseshadprettydecentlawnworkinfront.Ithadlittleflowergardensandfreshlymowedgrass,butsomeofthehouseswerenotaswellputasthelawn.

• Ilikedthefactthatsomehouseshadsomespacewheretheycoulddosomelandscaping,butagain,itistheincomethatthesepeoplemakethatshowswhatkindofhousetheyhave.Alsoalotofpeopleowneddogsinthehouses,andyoucouldtellthatthehouseswereprettyoldjustbylookingatthem.

• Themostappealingfeatureofthehousingisthattherewasnotasmuchtrashthrownaroundinthefrontofit.Theleastappealingfeatureisthatthehouseslookedveryold.

ADDITIONALQUESTIONS:Whatwouldyousayaretheneighborhood'sgreatestassetsandbiggestchallengesrelatedtohousing?

• Thespeakersdiscussedthestrengthsandweaknessesofmultifamilyhousing,suchasthe"stopandgothrough"mentalityofrenterswhoarenotcommittedtothecommunity,andthepotentialfornearbypropertiestobere-purposedforhousing.Theyalsodiscussedthelacklusterconditionoftheland,specificallytheissueofbrownfields,intheSouthEndandthedifficultiesofdealingwithdiverseanddividedpopulations.

• VictorLópez–Believesthatthelocation,history,andpeoplethatlivethereareassets.Challengestohousingarethelackofemployers,notenoughspace,thebrownfieldsareexpensivetorepurpose,andthereisasenseofitbeingatransientcommunity.


• Theassetstohousingintheneighborhoodarethemultiunitbuildings,thereisplentyofopportunityintheneighborhoodtoofferhousing.SomechallengesaretheBrownfields,whichneedtobeclearedandcleanedbeforetheycanbeused,andanapatheticcommunity.

• Oneparticipant-The“players,”alsoknownastheleadersandtheresidents,areassets.Challengeswithhousingarealackofjobs,thehousingstockistoolow,andtheneighborhoodneedsincreasedsustainability.Inordertomakethesechangespermanentastrongfoundationisneeded.Thefoundationwouldbechildren,jobs,andopportunities.

• Thehousingstockisaffordable,butitisold,thereisaccesstothetransportationsystem.Somechallengesaretherearepeoplewhodonotmaintaintheirproperties,andthetransportationsystemcangetcongestedattimes.

• Theneighborhoodsgreatestassetstowardhousingweresaidbytheentirepanelistthatthetransportationlocatedaroundthehousesisgreat.However,theyarepushingformorebusstopstobeplaced.Also,oneparticipantwassayingthatoneparticularchallengeisthatthereneedstobemoreaffordablehousing.Withthelackofjobs,itisnotpossibleforrenttobesocostlyinaneighborhoodthathasnorealsourceofincomecomingfrominsideofthecommunity.

• Oneparticipant-Greatestasset:thepoliticalplayersandcitizensthatfightforthecommunity.• Challenge:nogreenspace,notsomewhereyouwouldwanttosettledown,noathleticfieldsfor

kids,createopportunities.• Greatestasset:thepeopleandthehistoryofWaterburybecauseitusedtobethegateway.

Challenge:space• Greatestasset:renovation.Challenge:maintaininggreenspacesinurbansetting• Greatestasset:housingaffordable,greataccesstotransportation.Challenge:keepingpropertiesin

goodshapeandcongestion• Notenoughspaceandittakestime&moneytorefurbishtheland/space.• Peopledon'twanttolookatbrokendownfactories,sotherearen'tmanypeoplemovingintothe

area.• Anassetisthecityandgovernmentshowtheirsupport.• Therearestillmultifamilyhousingavailableforfamilies.• Accordingtooneparticipant,thegreatestassetsrelatedtohousingarethecity’shistory,people,

transportation,affordablehousingprogramslikeLoyola,alongwiththeresidentswhoarefightingtobringthecommunitybacktohowitwasmanyyearsago.ThebiggestchallengesmentionedbybothVictorsarespace,acquiringandredevelopingland,finance,maintenance,lackofjobs,credit,trustand“astrongfoundation.”

• Greatestassetisthecityitself,asWaterbury’smayorisverysupportiveofLoyola’sefforts.Greatestchallengeistryingtoacquirelandfromthecitythathasabsenteeownership.

• Greatestassetistheaffordabilityofthearea.Comparedtootherareas,propervaluesandrentareaffordable.TheSouthEndalsohasgreataccessbetweenthehighwaysystem,thedowntownaccess,andNaugatucktownline.Greatestchallengeisthefacttheolderhousinghasnotbeentakencareofproperlytomaintainstructuralintegrity.

• Greatestassetisthenumberofmulti-unitdwellingstohousemanyfamiliesandmanydifferentstructuresoffamilies.GreatestchallengeistheBrownfieldsitesfrompriorindustrialactivity,aswellasanapatheticcommunitystateofmind.

• GreatestassetisthehistorythatdefinesWaterburyandthepotentialithasintermsofemployment.GreatestchallengeistodeveloptheBrownfieldsitesforwhichnobodywantsto


assumeresponsibility.• Oneparticipant-Greatestassetisthecivicleadersthatrefusetoletthecurrentneighborhood

statustoperpetuate.GreatestchallengeisthelackoftransportationandemploymentintheSouthEnd.Ifpeopledonothavejobsorcannotgettowork,theycannotaffordhousing.

• Asset:thehistoryofWaterburyandtheSouthEnd.Challenge:landdevelopmentandbrownfields.• Morerentersthanowners.• Asset:thecityhasbeenverysupportiveoftheSouthEndandLoyola.Challenge:manybuildingsare

beingtakenbackbythecity.• Asset:westillhavemanymultifamilyhouses.Challenge:alotofpeopledonotwanttocometoa

citywheretherearealotofundevelopedspaces;peoplewanttoseechangebutdonotwanttohelpmakethechange.

• Oneparticipant-Asset:whoarethekeyplayerstryingtohelpbringthecityback?Challenge:SEisjustagoto;notaplacewhereyouwouldwanttostayandlive,andfindopportunitiesforchildren.

• Asset:thehousesareaffordable;SEhasgreataccesstohighways,buses,andothercities.Challenge:housesareold;thewintercausesstreetcongestion.

•


BusinessandEconomy• D.Thesignsdon’tcatchyoureyesandsomebusinessesdon’tevenhavesignsorany

informationonthem.• C.Thesignageofbusinesseswerenottoogreattheyhadhalfnakedwomenonpostersand

advertisedalcoholonthefrontandcigarettes. Gradeandcommentonthemixoffacilitiesandservices.

• C.Thereareadecentvarietyofbusinessesinthearea,butmanyservicescanonlybefound

outsideoftheneighborhood.• D.• Ididnotseeanyrecreationfacilitiesorparks.• B.Thereareavarietyofcarservices,constructionmaterials,food,andhairsalons.• Itseemslikethereisgreatvarietyofhousingandalsoagreatvarietyoffoodplaces.They

alsohavesometypeofflooringcompany.Asforretail,industry,andparks,therereallyaren’tmanythatareclose.

• B.Theareahasasurprisingamountofvariety,includinghousing,consultingservices,constructionsupply,apark,restaurants,andconveniencestores.

Gradeandcommentontheaccessibilityofmerchantsduringeveningandweekendhours.

• B• C.Thecornerstoresandrestaurantswhereopenfrom10amto8pm,MondaytoSaturday,

buteverythingisclosedonSunday.• Theaccessibilityofmerchantsisprettyreasonable,soIwouldgiveitaB.Theyareallmostly

openfrom10-8,Monday-Friday,SaturdaytheycloseearlierandSundaystheydonotwork.• C.Somebusinessesareopenuntil8pmbutareclosedonSundays.Mostbusinessesdonot

posthoursofoperation.Whatstoresorservicesthatyouwouldexpecttofindintheneighborhoodweremissing?

• Therewerefewshoppingoptions,meaningtheneighborhoodlikelydoesn'thavealargeamountofdisposableincome.MostretailneedsandhealthservicesarenotofferedwithintheSouthEnd.

• Therearen'tmanyplacestoshopbuttheplacestheydohaveprovideeverythingthatisneeded.

• Clothingstores,policestation,clinic,supermarket,furniturestore.• Isawalotofbusinessesmissing,suchasdrugstores,nearbyclinics,clothingstores,and

furniturestorestoo.Thesewereallnon-existentinthearea.• Basedonthedemographicsoftheneighborhood,Iamsurprisedthereisnoretailsuchas

clothing,children’stoys,orhardware.Consideringrecentuniversalhealthcare,Iamalso


surprisedthereisnolocalpharmacy.• Clothingstores,furniturestores,generalretail,sit-downrestaurants,lawyers,medical

services,etc.Gradeandcommentontheoverallconditionoftheretailsectorintheneighborhood.

• B,couldbemuchbetter• TheretailsectorgetsanFbecauseIdidnotcomeacrossanyretailstores.• C.Thereisamixedbagofbusinesses,somelookingratherdrab,andotherslookingclean

andreputable,althoughnonehadparticularlycompellingsignage.• F.Peopledon’tnormallygoshoppingforshinglesunlesstheyneedthem.• F.ConveniencestoresareonlyretailintheSouthEnd.Anyotherneedswouldrequiretravel

beyondboundariesofneighborhood.• Bad.Notmanystoresorservices.

Gradeandcommentonthevarietyofrestaurants.

• C.ThereareLatinandEcuadorianrestaurants,buttheotherfoodoptionsaresimplysupermarketsandconveniencestores.

• C,notmanyrestaurantsbutthereisaninterestingvarietyoffoodchoiceavailable.

• C.ThereareonlytwoHispanicrestaurantsonEastMainStreet,whichareopenalmostallday.

• IwouldratethevarietyoftherestaurantswithanA,becausethereisagoodamountofrestaurantsbutallofthemareSpanish.IdidnotseeanyThaifoodorIndianfoodsothereisnovariety.Thecostisprettylowandthelocationisprettygoodbecauseitisareasonablewalkingdistance.

• C.ThereareafewLatinorestaurantsintheneighborhood.OneisanEcuadorianrestaurantandthe2othersareofanunclearorigin.

• Therearerestaurantsofstylesthatarenotparticularlyeasytofindanywhereelse,andtheyareaffordable,butnotreallyinvitingorspaciousenoughtositdownin.

Whatemployersdidyoufindintheneighborhood?

• OtherthanthenearbyHomeDepot,mostofthebusinessesIsaw(restaurants,markets,taxservices,etc.)wouldnotsupplyanadequatenumberofjobsforthoseinthecommunity.

• Therearenomajoremployersinthisneighborhoodbecausethereareonlysmallbusinessesandnotevenmanyofthem.

• Almostnone,inourarea.Inthefewstoresandrestaurantsthatwerethere,therewereonlyoneortwoworkers.


• Therearemanybusinesses,butnohelpwantedsigns,localemployers.Mostemploy1-2people.

• TherearereallynomajoremployerswithintheSouthEndneighborhood.Thereareonlycertainlittlerestaurantsandconveniencestoresthatabout2-3peopleworkin.Thestoresseemtobeemployeesthatlivewithintheneighborhood.

• Therearebanksmoreinthedowntownareasonotintheneighborhood,butveryclose.• Cardealerships,hairsalons,littlefoodrestaurants,cornerstores,ABC,ambulanceservice,

GallagherGlassandMirror,andHomeDepot.• IsawalotofHispanicemployers.IwouldsayitisbecausetheyhaveSpanishrestaurantsand

Spanishcornerstores.TheareaismainlyHispanics.• Thoughthereareseveralemployersintheneighborhood,thebusinessesappeartobesmall

inscalewithfewemployees.No‘helpwanted’signswerenoted.

Doesthereappeartobeaprimaryindustryortypeofbusinessintheneighborhood?

• Thisneighborhoodseemstobeprimarilysupportedbythefoodindustry.• Thereisnoprimaryindustryintheneighborhoodlike

therewasmanyyearsago.• Themainbusinessisthefoodbusiness.Thereisalso

sometypeofcardealershipandmechanicshopsaroundthearea,wheneverybodypreviouslydependedonthefactoriesandadvancedmanufacturing.

• Thefactories,whichoncesuppliedthousandsofjobs,arenowabandonedordestroyed,withnosignificantemployerstofillthegapleftbytheirabsence.

• Conveniencestoresappeartobetheprimary,ormostcommon,businessintheneighborhood.

• Theredoesn'tseemtobeanyprimaryindustriesintheareathatmygroupfocusedon.Therewereonlyafewstoresandonerestaurantthatwesaw.

• Yes;cardealerships,shops,andconstructionservices.

Istherelandwherebusinessescouldexpandorlocate?Wouldthisneighborhoodbeanattractivelocationforindustrialorbusinessdevelopment?

• Althoughtherearevacantlotsandpropertieswherefactoriesoncestood,itwouldcostmillionstoplanandcreateaprofitablebusinessinanyoftheseemptyspaces.

• Ibelievethatiftheplacewascleanedup,theareawouldbemoreattractiveinallaspects.Therearealotofplacesopenforbusinessestoopensuchasthistorndowncompanyandotherabandonedandvacantbuildings.Itwouldbejustveryexpensivetostartupthesebusinesses.

• Thereisland,butruinsaresittingontopofmostofthem.Thereisnotmuchpullfornewbusinessestocomein,asthereisn'talotoffoottrafficorpeople,andthere'snotalotofmonetarygainonecouldgrabfromthisarea.


• Yes,thereisplentyoflandwherebusinesscouldexpandbecauseofthespaceswhereabandonedfactoriesoncewere.

• Thereisplentyoflandforbusinessdevelopment,abandonedbuildingsandvacantlots,butitisnotimmediatelyavailable.Morediversityinbusinesstypesneededintheneighborhood.Thereislittleopportunity.

• ThereisalargeareaopenthatIthinkafactorywasinbeforethatwastorndownandnowitiscompletelyempty.Thereisalsoanabandonedfactorythatcouldbetakendownandotherstorescouldbeputinplace.

• Thereisahugeemptylotwheredifferentindustriescouldlocateorexpand.Thisneighborhoodwouldnotbeanattractivelocationbecauseitistoosmall,soeverythingwouldseemlikeitiscluttered.

• ThereareemptyfactoriesthatcanbedemolishedandrebuiltforbusinessestodevelopJewelryStreet.Itwillhelptheneighborhoodbecomemoreattractivebycreatingjobsandinvitingvisitorstoshop.

Wouldthisneighborhoodbeanattractivelocationforindustrialorbusinessdevelopment?Whyorwhynot?

• Yes,becauseyouwouldbeabletobuildonthefreelandandcreateabetterspace.• Itwouldbeattractiveforindustrialdevelopmentbecausethereareemptylotswhichare

currentlyunused,andabandonedbuildingsthatcanberefurbishedandusedforbetterpurposes.

• Therearemanylotsthatarevacant,soprospectiveemployerscouldacquireinexpensiveland.However,thesitesaretypicallyunderdevelopedsorenovationswouldneedtobedonewhichmaydiscouragesomebusinessesfromcomingintothearea.Neighborhoodisnotgoodforentrepreneurialactivityascurrentbuildingsneedconsiderablerenovation.

ADDITIONALQUESTIONSFROMTHERESIDENTFOCUSGROUP:Whatwouldyousayaretheneighborhood'sgreatestassetsandbiggestchallengesrelatedtobusinessandretail?

• TherewasagreementthatthereweremanyneedsthatcouldbemetbynewbusinesseswithintheSouthEnd,butthespeakersrecognizedthatlow-incomemarketsaredifficulttoprofitfromandthatpotentialbusinessesareunwillingtoaimforlong-termsuccessoverquickerprofits.Thelogisticsofdevelopment,theprevalenceoflitterandpollution,andthedisappearanceofcommunity-drivenbusinesswereallcitedasreasonswhybusinessintheSouthEndhasslowed.

• Someassetstobusinessandretailisthatthereisaccess,inalocationthatisbeneficialtoabusiness,andthatthereisplentyofspacetostartabusinessofalargesize.Challengesarebrownfields,whicharecontaminatedandneedtobecleanedbeforeuse,andthatthereisnotalotofrawlandwithnothingonit.

• Oneparticipant-Achallengeisthatmoneyisneededfordemolition,cleaning,andothervariousconstructiontasks;anotherchallengeisthatthepeopleintheneighborhoodareonafixedincome.

• Onebenefittobusinessandretailareaccess.WouldliketoopenanUrbanArtsandChildren


Museum.Onechallengeistheissueofpeopleburningtrash.• Assetswouldbethatweareknownforoursuccessfulremediationofbrownfields.Challenges

wouldbethatsmallbusinessisneededhere;butwithpeopleoflimitedincome,itwouldbedifficultforpeopletospendmoneyatthesebusinesses.Willtaketimetofixtheproblems,butithaspotential.

• InoticedthatjustabouteveryoneofthepanelistssaidthatthegreatestchallengeintheSouthEndneighborhoodwasthelackofspaceandlackofjobs.Iremembermanyofthepanelistssayingthattheworstthingsintheneighborhoodwerethebrownfields.ThebrownfieldstookalotofmoneyandeffortandthatwasthebiggestthinggettinginthewayofthosetryingtoworkintheSouthEnd.Alsoalackofjobscontributestothelackofmoney,asoneparticipantsaid.ThegreatestassetwassaidtobethecityofWaterburyinitselfandthehistoryofWaterbury.Also,oneparticipantsaidthatittakesthoseintheneighborhoodtoactuallybesupportiveandawareinordertotakeadvantageoftheseassetsandeliminatemostofthesechallenges.

• Oneparticipant-Greatestasset:bodegas.Challenge:lackofjobs.• Greatestasset:smallstoresinthearea.Challenge:lackofemploymentsopportunities• Greatestasset:greataccesstojobs.Challenge:nottoomuchaccessforthoselivinginthe

neighborhood.• Greatestasset:manysidestores,butnobigretailstorestofocusonthoseinthe

community.Challenge:focusmoreonthoseoutsideofthisparticularareaoftheSouthEnd;muchtimeandmillionsofdollarsareneededtodevelopbuildings/businesses.

• Greatestassetisthecoreofresidentsthatrefusetoleavetheareaandpatronizelocalbusinesses.

• ThegreatestassetistheavailabilityofspaceintheSouthEndforbusinessestodevelop.• GreatestassetisthattheSouthEndhasgreataccessibilitytothedowntownandthe

highway.GreatestchallengeistheBrownfieldsitesthataredifficulttodevelopandremediate.

• GreatestassetisthatWaterburyleadstheNortheastinBrownfieldremediationeffortsasactivemeasuresarebeingtakentoreclaimsuchlocations.Greatestchallengeisthatcurrentresidentsdon’thaveenoughdisposableincometopatronizebusinessesconsistently.

• Oneparticipant-Greatestassetistheavailabilityofspaceatarelativelylowcost.Greatestchallengeisconvincingpeopletostartbusinessesandtakingthefinancialrisktohelpthecommunity.

• Abusinessowneransweredthisquestionbysayingthatthegreatestassetsarespaceandaccesstomajorhighways,butthatsomeofthebiggestchallengescanbecongestionandbigcompaniesputtingsmallcompaniesoutofbusiness.

• Thereisalackofjobs/community.• Challenge:thelengthoftheprocesshurtstheneighborhood(MillStreet2.7million);thereis

alackofjobsbecausepeopleareonfixedincome.• Thereisgoodaccessbuttherearemanybusinessesthatdonotwanttoopenhere.• theblackbookisstillaround;bartering.• 10/15yearsfromnow=Waterburywilllookdifferent• iftherearepeoplewhoarestillherethatmeanstheyarededicated;poorfamily

neighborhood,butworkingfamiliesresidehere.


Education,health,social,&emergencyservicesGradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofschoolsforacommunityofthissize(pre-school/kindergarten/Headstart,primary/elementary/middleschools,highschools,colleges/universities).Howdolocalresidentsfeelaboutschools?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

0 0%

3 3

4 80% 4 4

1 20% 5 5

0 0% Total 5 100%

• ThereistheMaloneyInterdistrictMagnetSchoolonEastClayStreet,whichisabenefit;

however,therestoftheschoolsareoutsideoftheneighborhood.Also,inthecaseofmostoftheschools,theyarenorthofthehighway.

• Thereisvisibilityaswellasavailabilityforpreschoolandelementaryschool.Thereisanelementaryschoolbythechurchandthereareschoolbusesthatpickuppreschoolkids.Soeventhoughthoseotherschoolsarenotintheareathereisawaytogetthemthere.

• Theschoolsarewellmaintainedbutappearedtobeovercrowded.TheartsschoolisnotparticularlyinclusivetoresidentsoftheSouthEnd.

• Therewasoneschoolthatwesaw.IbelieveitwasanelementaryschoolthatwesawonEastClayStreetnamedMaloney,butotherthanthatnotmanyotherschools.

• MaloneyelementaryschoolonE.ClayStreet.• Therewasanelementaryschoolandwesawalotofkidsplaying

outsideintheplaygroundoftheschoolbutIthoughtitwasaverysmallplaygroundforalotofkids,soIthinktheschoolshouldcreatemoreplacesforkidstoplay.

Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofhealthcarefacilities(e.g.,hospitals,physicians,dentists,optometrists,orothermedicalofficesandclinics,long-termcareorassistedlivingfacilities,andotherhealthservicessuchaschiropractic,mentalhealthservices,yoga,massage).Howdolocalresidentsfeelabouttheseservices?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

1 17% 2 2

3 50%


3 3

2 33% 4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 6 100%

• Whiletherearen'tanyspecializedhealthcare

facilitiesintheneighborhood,SaintMary'sHospitaliswithindrivingdistanceoftheneighborhood.ThereisalsoachiropracticofficeonScovillStreet.

• Therearefacilitiesclosetothearea,butnotexactlyinthearea.

• Whilethehospitalisnearbyandambulanceservicesarelocatedwithintheneighborhood,therearenomedicalservicesofferedwithintheSouthEnd.

• Therewerereallynohealthcarefacilitiesaroundthearea.ThereisSaintMary'shospitalwhichisa5-minutedrive,butnofacilitiesintheneighborhood.

• Therewerenone.• IwouldsayinthatcategorytheSouthEndisprettypoorbecausetheywerenotdentists

around,medicaloffices,oranyhealthservices.TheonlythatisclosetothemistheEmergencyRoomofthehospitalandthatisonlyiftheyhaveacar,becauseitistoofarbywalking.

Gradeandcommentonthevarietyandqualityofretailfoodoutlets(grocerystores,superstores,conveniencestores,gasstations).Commentonlocation,cost,andtypesoffoodsavailable.Arehealthyfoodoptionsavailable?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

0 0% 2 2

0 0% 3 3

3 50% 4 4

3 50% 5 5

0 0% Total 6 100%

• Thereareplentyofconveniencestoresinthearea,butnothingbiggerthanacornerstore.

Thefoodavailableisthesamethatyouwouldfindinmanystoreswiththepricesbeingaboutthesame.Therearen'tanyhealthyoptionslikeyoumightfindataWholeFoods.

• Notmanyretailfoodoutletsatallorgasstations.TheonlyfoodavailableiscomingfromtheHispanicrestaurantsorthecornerstores.Butitisclosebyandaffordable.

• Theretailfoodoutletsarerelativelycheapandaccessibletoresidents,andhealthyoptionsareavailable.Therearealsorestaurantsandacommunitygarden.

• Therearenosuperstoresintheneighborhood.TheonlylargebusinessI'veseenintheneighborhoodisHomeDepot,whichtheresidentsintheneighborhoodprobablydon'tevenvisittoomuch.Therearealotofconveniencestoresintheareawhichcertainlymustprovide


thepeopleoftheareawitheverythingtheyneed,beingsoclosebyandaffordable.• CornerstoreonS.Mainstreet.MinimartonS.Mainstreet.EcuadorianrestaurantonS.Main

street.HispanicrestaurantonS.Mainstreet.HispanicrestaurantonWashingtonAve.• ThereisoneconveniencestoreandaplacecalledJarjurawhereyoucouldbuyfruitsand

vegetables,butotherthanthatthereisacoupleofforeignrestaurantsbutthefoodisveryunhealthysotherearenotanyhealthfoodoptions.

Commentonanyapparentwaysthatresidentsgrowtheirownfoodoraccessfoodthroughlocalfarms(e.g.,communitygardens,backyardgardens,farmersmarkets,communitysupportedagriculturefarmsordropsites).Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

0 0% 2 2

1 17% 3 3

2 33% 4 4

3 50% 5 5

0 0% Total 6 100%

• ThereistheBrassCityHarvestGardenonMillStreet.Itprovidesproduceforafarmers'

marketonBankStreet.• Thereissomesortoffarmer’smarketthatisinthearea.Thereisfoodgrowninagreen

house.Itisnotthebiggestplaceareabutcertainlysomething.Mosttownsdonothavethatkindofresource.

• ThereisasuccessfulcommunitygardenonMillStreetwithitsownretailoutlet.• Ididnoticethatthereweretwogardens.OnegardenwasknownastheMillStreetFarmer's

Marketduringthepastfewmonths,whichwasthekindofgreenhousespacefortheresidents.IalsonoticedtherewasasmallergardenthatwasonWestLibertyStreet,butI'mnotsureifanythingwasbeinggrownonitinthemeantime.

• Therewereafewflowerpotsonsomeresidents’frontporchesonW.Libertystreet.TherewasalsoatinygardenbetweentwohomesonW.Libertystreet.WesawacommunitygardenonE.LibertystreetandMillstreet(324Millstreet).

• TherewasasmallplacecalledMillStreetFarmersMarketbutitwasbehindahouse,andwasseeminglyunused,butotherthanthat,therewasnoplacewhereresidentscould'vegrowntheirownfoodbecauseoftrashonthestreets,andalackofbackyardgardensandfarms.

Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofemergencyfoodservices(e.g.,foodpantries,soupkitchens,communitymeals)foracommunityofthissize.Howdolocalresidentsfeelabouttheseservices?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

2 33% 2 2

2 33% 3 3

2 33%


4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 6 100%

• OnBaldwinStreetthereistheSt.VincentdePaulfoodpantry.IalsodidasearchonGoogle

MapstolookiftherewasanotherpantryintheareabutIbelievetheonlyoneIfoundiscloseddown.

• Ididnotseeanythingexceptmaybethechurch,whichcanprovideasoupkitchenforthoseinneed.

• Therewerenonoticeableemergencyfoodserviceswithintheneighborhood.• ThereisashelterknownastheVincentDePaulMissionthatI'msureprovidestheseservices.I

alsorememberhearingfromoneparticipantthatthechurchesdidallowforclothingandfoodwhennecessary.

• Wesawnone.• ThestatusoffoodservicesisprettypoorintheSouthEnd.

Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofsocialservices(e.g.,daycare,seniorcenter,counseling)foracommunityofthissize?Howdolocalresidentsfeelabouttheseservices?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

1 20% 2 2

1 20% 3 3

3 60% 4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 5 100%

• Therewerenobuildingsthatoutwardlyadvertisedanyoftheseservices;however,St.Anne's

Church,aswellastheSt.VincentShelteronBenedictStreet,possiblyprovidestheseservices.• Therecreationcentercancountasadaycarebecauseitcanhelpkidsofcertainagesstayina

safeplacewhiletheirparentsareatwork.Idon’texactlyknowhowresidentsfeelaboutthismatter.

• Mygroupdidnotgettoseethis,butIdorememberProfessorGlassersayingthattherecreationcenterhasaseniorcenteronBaldwinandLibertyStreet.I'msuretherearealsomanyoftheseotherservicesplacedinsideofcertainbusinesses.

• Therewerenone.• Ididnotseeanydaycarecenterorseniorcounselingbuttheremightsomethingrelatedto

thatinthechurchnearbytheSouthEnd.

Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofcivicorganizationsandclubsforacommunityofthissize.Arethereorganizationsandclubsthatwouldappealtoavarietyofagegroups?Howdolocalresidentsfeelaboutcivicinvolvement?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)


# Answer

Response %1 1

3 50% 2 2

3 50% 3 3

0 0% 4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 6 100%

• TheSt.VincentShelteronBaldwinStreetisacivicorganization.• Ididnotseeanyorganizationsorclubsinthatarea.I’msuretheresidentsdonotfeeltheyare

asinvolvedastheycouldbe.• Thesocialservicesofferedwithintheareaarelimitedatbest,andwouldnotproperly

accommodateacommunityofthissize.• Mygroupdidnotseeanythingtodowithclubsorcivilorganizations.• Wesawnone.• Thereareabsolutelynoclubsthatpeopleofvariousgroupscouldvisitandhaveafunnight

out.Thatissomethingthatcomesbacktoincome.Thepeoplewhoownbusinesseswouldnotwanttoopenaclubinthemiddleofnowherewithpeoplethathavelowincomes.ClubsareexpensiveandIdon'tthinktheownerswouldmakeanyprofitintheSouthEndbyopeningaclubthere.

Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofprivateorpublicfitnesscentersorfacilitiesforphysicalrecreation.Howdolocalresidentsfeelaboutthem?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

3 50% 2 2

2 33% 3 3

1 17% 4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 6 100%

• Ididn'tseeanykindoffitnesscenters.Notonlythat,thecityparkthatmygroupfoundwas

prettyunkemptandthefencearounditwaspadlocked.Thebasketballhoopsdidn'thaverimseither.

• Thereisalittleparkintheareawhichkeepsonbeingshutdownandreopenedbutthatisaboutit.Theresidentsthinkitwouldbebetterifthereweremorefacilitiestostayphysicallyfitin.

• Therearenofitnesscenters,andthepublicparkisunfinishedandclosed.• IdidnotseeanythingintheneighborhoodbutIknowthereislikeaYMCAlocatedabout2-3

minutesawayfromtheneighborhoodthatcouldbeusedforsuch.• TherewasareallysmallbasketballcourtonS.MainandW.Libertystreet.• TheSouthEndhasnotypeofpublicfitnesscentersorfacilitiesforphysicalrecreationand

thatissomethingthattheownerswouldhavetroubleopeningbecauseofthelandfactorandhowlongitwouldtaketobuildagymaroundtheSouthEnd.


Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofemergencyservices(e.g.,police,fire,ambulance,andemergencymedical)foracommunityofthissize.Howdolocalresidentsfeelabouttheseservices?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

0 0% 2 2

0 0% 3 3

3 60% 4 4

2 40% 5 5

0 0% Total 5 100%

• OnWestDoverthereareambulanceservices.Whenmygroupwalkedpastit,therewasan

ambulancereadytogo,aswellasanotherinthegarageonthepremises.• They’rereallynoneatall.Butthereisahospitalverycloseby.• ThereisanambulanceservicelocatedwithintheSouthEndthatisconvenientlylocatedafew

minutesawayfromSt.Mary'sHospital.• Therearenorealemergencyservicesaround,butwedidseeanambulancelocatedwithinthe

neighborhood,andinthecasethatanythingweretogowrongtheambulancewouldbethereinasecond.

• Weonlysawoneambulanceserviceplace,onW.Doverstreet.• Thepolicedepartmentisabout5minutesofdrivingandthehospitalisabout3minutesof

drivingsoIguessifthepeopleintheSouthEndhaveanemergencythepoliceortheambulancewouldbethereprettyfast.

Gradeandcommentonthevisibilityandavailabilityofemergencyshelterstoaccommodateresidentsintheeventofaheatwave,flood,orotherdisaster.Dotheyappearaccessibletopeoplewithoutvehicles?Istheresignageinthecommunityindicatingwherethesesheltersarelocated?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

0 0% 2 2

2 40% 3 3

3 60% 4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 5 100%

• Therewerenosignspointingtoanykindofemergencyshelter.However,theschoolandthechurchcouldconceivablybeusedasemergencyshelters.

• They’renoneinthearea.Ididnotlocateanysitesorsignage.• Thereisasmallemergencyshelterandapotentialshelterwithinthenearbyschool's

gymnasium.


• ThereisashelterlocatedononeofthebackstreetsnexttoHomeDepotcalledtheVincentDePaulMission.

• WesawashelteronW.Libertystreet.St.VincentDePaulMission.• ThereisabsolutelynotypeofhelpthattheSouthEndpeoplecouldgetifthereisadisaster.

Theonlythingwesawwasasmallshelterhomeforperhaps20people,calledtheStVincentDePaulMission,butthatisnotgoingtoofferfreefoodtothepeopleintheSouthEndinanycaseofemergency.


Government,infrastructure,&landuseAremunicipalofficesconvenientlylocated?

• Notherearen’tmanyofficesinthearea*Commentontheavailabilityandqualityofcommunitybrochures,businessdirectories,orcommunityprofilesiftheyareavailable(eitheronlineorpaper).

• Thereareonlinebrochuresthattalkaboutthecitiespastandpresent.• Nobrochuresorbusinessdirectoriesinpaperform.HistoryabouttheSouthEndavailable

onlinebutnocurrentcentralwebsitefound.• Therearenopapersanywhere.• Nopaperorneighborhoodarticles.

Gradeandcommentonthehelpfulnessofgovernmentemployees.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

2 50% 2 2

1 25% 3 3

1 25% 4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 4 100%

Iftherearevariousmodesofpublictransportation,commentonhoweasywoulditbetoconnectfromonetoanother,suchasfromabusstoptoatraindepot.

• Therearebusstopsverycloseandthetrainiscloseby,butnotinthearea.• Thebussystemappearstobeintegratedwellwithdowntownservices.AstationintheSouth

Endwherebusscheduleinformationispresentwouldbehelpful.• Itwouldbeeasierifyouknowthebusschedule.

Gradeandcommentontheavailabilityandusefulnessofpublictransitmaps/schedules/websitesifapplicable.Ifpublictransitexists,arepeopleusingit?Ifso,commentonthelevelofuse.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

0 0% 2 2

0 0% 3 3

0 0% 4 4

3 100% 5 5

0 0% Total 3 100%


• Itveryeasytogetaroundinthearea.Thebusescomeandgoveryfrequently,andmanypeopleusethepublictransitbeingoffered.

• CTTransitwebsitehasathoroughwebsitewiththebusschedulesthroughoutthestate.Onedisadvantageistheroutesaresummedupbyneighborhoodnamesandaredifficulttofollowifyouarenotfromthearea.NopeoplenotedusingthebusesintheSouthEndthoughobservationsweremadeatoffpeaktimes.

• Downtownhasalotofinformation.• Schedulesandmapsdowntown.

Gradeandcommentontheavailabilityandapparentqualityofeachofthefollowing:Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof10=A(Excellent)

Answer Min Value

Max Value

Average Value Responses

Street signage 6 10 9 4 Bus Stops with shelters/shade 0 6 2 4

Bike lanes on street 4 4 4 1

Streets 6 8 7 4

Street lighting 6 6 6 4

Street crossings 6 10 9 4

Traffic controls 6 8 6 4

Sidewalks 6 6 6 4

• Thereispracticallyeverything,justinneedofsomeimprovement.Thesidewalksneedtobecleanedupandthecrosswalksneedtoberepainted.

• Streetsarelabeledquitewell.SidewalksonSouthMainarewellconstructedbutoftencrumblingonsecondaryroads.Crosswalksarelocatedatmajorintersections.Nosheltersorshadelocatedaroundbusstops.

• Thestreetsaredecent,butthesidewalksreallyneedtobefixedandcleaned.Gradetheconditionofbikepaths/trails.Ifbikeandpedestrianfacilitiesexist,arepeopleusingthem?Ifso,commentonthelevelofuse.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

3 75% 2 2

0 0% 3 3

1 25% 4 4

0 0%


5 5

0 0% Total 4 100%

Idonotthinkabikelaneactuallyexistsinthearea.• Nobicyclepathsortrails. • Therewasnone.

Gradeandcommentonyoursenseofsecurity/safetyasapedestrianand/orbicyclistinthecommunity.Arethereanyapparentincentivesthecommunityoffersfortransitusers,pedestrians,orbicyclists(e.g.,parkingclosertodestinations,“bicyclebenefits”discountprograms)?Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

1 33% 2 2

0 0% 3 3

0 0% 4 4

2 67% 5 5

0 0% Total 3 100%

• Streetparkingofferssomesafetyfromtraffic.Treesalongsidethestreetswouldimprovethe

areaintermsofdrainageandprotection.Noparticularpedestrianincentives.• Peopletendtodrivereallyfastmakingitunsafetocrossthestreet.

Arecommunityfacilitiesandinfrastructureaccessibleforpeoplewithdisabilities,theelderly,andpeoplecarryingluggageorpushingstrollers,etc.?

• TheLoyolaapartmentshaverampsforpeopleinwheelchainIbelieve.Otherthanthatno• Sidewalksoftendiptostreetleveltoaccommodateforthedisabled,parentswithstrollers,or

peoplecarryingluggage.Somesidewalksarecrumbled,orlitteredwithtrashandbrokenglass.• Yes,moststreetshavethesidewalkramp.• Notreally,Ididnotnoticearamponsidestreetssoitcouldbedangerous.

Gradeandcommentontheavailabilityandqualityofthefollowingamenities:Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof10=A(Excellent)

Answer Min Value

Max Value


Benches 0 0 0 4

Street/public Art 0 0 0 4

Landscaping/streetscaping 0 4 2 4


Wireless internet access points 0 4 2 4

Public restrooms 0 0 0 4

Shade areas 0 4 1.3 3

Public trash containers 0 4 1.5 4

Public recycling containers 0 2 5 4

Household recycling containers 4 10 7 4

Drinking fountains 0 0 0 4

• Thehouseholdcontainersmightbebehindtheirhousesoitishardtotellandtherearesometrashcansaroundtheneighborhood.

• Littlepublicorpedestrianservicesavailablesuchasrecycling,trashcontainers,benches,orart.Residentsdo,ontheotherhand,havehouseholdrecyclingcontainers.

• Therearesomerecyclingcontainersbutnotasmuchasthereshouldbe.Wi-Fiisonlyavailableforsomepeople,itsnotreallypublic.

Gradetheavailabilityofparkingoutsideofthedowntown.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

0 0% 2 2

0 0% 3 3

1 25% 4 4

3 75% 5 5

0 0% Total 4 100%

Gradethedirectionalsignageforpublicparking.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

2 67% 2 2

0 0% 3 3

1 33% 4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 3 100%


Gradethedirectionalsignageforpedestriansandbicyclists.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

2 50% 2 2

0 0% 3 3

2 50% 4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 4 100%

Gradeandcommentontheavailabilityandaccessibilityofbicycleparkingnearschools,retailareas,communityservices,andrecreationalfacilities.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

2 50% 2 2

1 25% 3 3

1 25% 4 4

0 0% 5 5

0 0% Total 4 100%

• Thereisplentyofstreetparkingavailablethoughsomecarsareparkedontothesidewalk.

Becausetherearefewattractions,therearenotmanysignsdedicatedtopedestriantraffic.• There’snone.

Doyouseecompatibleorconflictinglanduses,suchasaparknearamuseum,orconflictingones?Arelanduses(commercial,residential,greenspace,etc.)appropriatelylocated?

• There’sspacebetweeneverythingandIthinkeverythingmakessenseexceptfortheunusedpartsoftheneighborhood.

• Landusesareappropriatelymixed.TheWestsideofSouthMainStreethasadiverseuseoflandwithoutanyparticularconflictinguses.

• It'sallmixtogether,whichisn'tbad.Thelandiscommercialandresidentialwithalittlepark.• Parkinthemiddleofhousing

Commentontheapparenteffectivenessofwatermanagementinthecommunity(e.g.stormwaterdrains,rainbarrels,raingardens,permeablepavementareas).Arethereanylargeareasofstandingwater?Ifthereisariverorstream,aretheredevelopedareasthatappeartobecloseenoughtobedamagedbyflooding?

• Thereisalittleareaaroundtheareathatflowsthroughandthereisasufficientamountofdrainage.Ididnotseemanypuddlesevenafteritrained.

• Stormdrainsoftenpresentbuthavegarbageinthem.Onlytwogardensinneighborhoodnotedbutnospecificwatersystemnotedwithgardens.

• Thestormwaterdrainsarefillwithtrash.TheriverbyMillstreetwouldn'tdamagedanything


byflooding.• Stormdrainsfilledwithtrash,riveronMillSt

Didyouexperiencetrafficcongestionanywhere?Ifyes,where?

• Notherearenotmanyplaceswheretrafficcongestioncanhappen.• DeliverytruckscancongestSouthMainStreet.Itwouldbeprudentforsuchvehiclestohavea

loadingareanotlocatedonthemainstrip.• YesbySouthMainSt.• SouthMainSt.

Doareasofthecommunityappeartobedevelopingordeclining?Commentonhoweffectivelythecommunityappearstobemanagingthis.

• ThestreetwheretheLoyolabuildingresidesitisbeingdevelopedandacrossfromittoo• Loyolaismakingslowbutsignificantprogress.Onlytwoprivatehousesobservedtohave

constructiontakingplace.• ThewholeneighborhoodasmentionbyRichardisdevelopingcomparetohowitusedtobe.• Somedevelopmentbecauseofhowitusedtobeitisprogressingslowly]


Recreation,faith,&cultureGradeandcommentontheavailabilityandappearanceofeachofthefollowing:Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof10=A(Excellent)

Answer Min Value

Max Value


Parks (municipal, county, state, national)

0 8 4 4

Public recreation facilities 6 6 6 3 Private recreation facilities 0 4 1 3 Non-motorized bike or walking paths

0 2 6.6 3

Motorized trails (ATV, snowmobile)

0 0 0 3

• Therearenotmanyplacesintheneighborhoodthatcanbeusedforrecreationorfun.Most

likelyengagedelsewhere.Whatdofamiliesinthiscommunityappeartodoforrecreation/fun?

• Nothing,besidestherecreationcenter.Thereisasmallparkthathasnotbeenup-kept.• Theymayopttogotothereccenter,takepartinbingoorothereventssponsoredbythe

church.Whatdoyoungpeopleinthiscommunityappeartoforrecreation/fun?

• Theyappeartohavearecreationintheneighborhood.Thisoffersactivities.• Youngpeoplearemorelikelytousethereccenter,buttheyevenmorelikelytogooutsidethe

neighborhood,suchasthemall,forfundependingontheirage.Whatdoseniorcitizensinthiscommunityappeartodoforrecreation/fun?

• Yes.Thereisacenterforseniorswithintherecreationcenter.• Seniorcitizensmaytakepartintheactivitiesthatareofferatthereccenterforfun.


Whatrecreationalactivitiesorfacilitiesseemedtobemissing?• Thereseemstobeoutdoorsports.Thereisnobaseball,soccer,orfootballfieldsinthearea.• Outdoorrecreationalactivities,notmanyparksareintheneighborhood,ifanyareinthe

neighborhood.

Doesthecommunityhavehistoricbuildingsorplaces?Aretheywellmaintained?• Yes.ThechurchofStAnn’sisawellmaintainedbuildingthathasbeenapartofthe

neighborhoodforseveralyears.• FromwhatIhaveseentheareadoesnothaveanyhistoricbuildingsorplaces.Factoriesmay

qualifyashavinghistoricvalue,theyareabandonedandinstatesofdisrepair.Doesthecommunityholdannualeventsorculturalfestivals?Howdidyouhearaboutthem?Whatdidyoulearnaboutthetraditionsbehindthefestivals?

• Notherearenosignificantfestivalsortraditionsthattakeplace.• Therearenoevents,orculturalfestivalsthatheldintheSouthEnd.

Doesthecommunityappearwelcomingtopeopleofallracesandethnicities(Hispanic/Latinoetc.),abilities(wheelchairaccess,deaf/blind),religions(varietyofworshipopportunities),sexualorientation(LGBTindividuals/families),orbymaritalstatus(single,married,divorced)?Whyorwhynot?

• Yes.Doesn'tseemlikeanydiscriminationhastakenplaceinthisarea.ThereareseveralHispanicfamiliesintheneighborhood.

• ItishardtosaywhetherornotheSouthEndappearsmorewelcomingtopeopleofcertainracesorethnicities,maybeinterestingtopeopleofHispanicorLatinobackgroundstothelargepopulationpresentintheneighborhood.Maynotappearwelcomingtopeoplewhohavedisabilities,suchasthoseinwheelchairsbecauseitisnoteasilyaccessibleortraversable.


InformationfromresidentsOnThursday,October15,2015theclasshadapaneloffivepeopleintheLoyolaroomtalkingabouttheSouthEndneighborhood.Thepanelwascomposedof-executivedirectorofLoyola,-whonotonlygrewupintheneighborhoodbutalsoownsAmbulanceServicesrightaroundthecorneronWestDoverStreet,-aresidentfor27yearswhoisraisingafamilyintheneighborhoodandisthepresidentoftheSouthEndNeighborhoodAssociation,Oneparticipant-whowasborninBrooklyn,NYbutraisedintheSouthEnd,isthestaterepresentative,districtlegislatorfor4yearsandwasaschoolteacherandfinally-whoisfromtheWaterburyboardofaldermen,executivedirectorofHispanicCoalitionandalthoughhedidn’tgrewupintheneighborhoodlikethemajorityofthepanel,hereallycaresaboutit.-JanylisCostas

Commentonthefriendlinessofresidentsofthecommunity.Numericscoreof1=F(Poor),Numericscoreof5=A(Excellent)

# Answer

Response %1 1

0 0% 2 2

1 25% 3 3

1 25% 4 4

2 50% 5 5

0 0% Total 4 100%

• Thepeopleoftheneighborhoodaresomewhatfriendly.Inmostcasestheyarecuriousand

whattoknowwhatwearedoing.Thepeoplethatspokeforthesouthendwereveryfriendlyeventhoughonlyoneofthemisanactualresident.

• WhenvisitingtheneighborhoodIhadtogoalonebeingthatIwasnotabletomakeitlastclass,soIdidnotspeakwithmanyresidentsbuttheresidentsthatIdidspeakwithwereprettyfriendly.

• Theywerereallyinterestedintellingusabouttheircommunity.• Theresidentsandtheownerswhocametalkingtouswereprettyfriendlytousandthey

seemedreallynicepeople• Thepeopleoftheneighborhoodaresomewhatfriendly.Inmostcasestheyarecuriousand

wanttoknowwhatwearedoing.Thepeoplethatspokeforthesouthendwereveryfriendlyeventhoughonlyoneofthemisanactualresident.

• IgivetheResidentsaBforfriendlinessbecausetheyareniceforthemostpartbut

"I have learned that despite the current neighborhood status, many residents are diligently working to improve the neighborhood. I had assumed that most residents were apathetic to the condition. From the panel discussion, there is still a core group of people that care about the community, businesses, and the residents."


sometimesifIweretogreetthemtheywouldnotacknowledgeme.Whatdolocalresidentsrecommendregardingevents?Onewaytophraseaquestiontoalocalresidentmightbe:"Wehaveonlyonenightinthisneighborhood,whatisgoingontonightthatmightbefuntodoorsee?"Consideraskingfamilies,youngpeople,andseniorcitizensandnotinganydifferences.

• Thereisnotmuchtodointheneighborhood.Fortheyoungercrowdinthecommunitythereisarecreationalfacilitythattheycangotobutitisalittlebitoutsideofthemappedarea.

• I'mnotsure.Thereisn'ttoomuchofanyactivitiesintheneighborhood.Thatwasanissueinthediscussion.

• Iwouldrecommendthemtotherestaurantsinthearea.Therearen'tmanyaround,butIwouldtellthemoftheonesIknow,andI'msuretheresidentswoulddothesameaswell.

• Thatisonetheproblemsthattheresidentsbroughtisthat,aparkisneededforfamiliestogooutwiththeirkidsandenjoytherestoftheafternoonafterwork,anditcanbearelaxingplacebutrightnowSouthEnddoesnothaveany.AlsoIthinkmaybeadrinkingclubwouldbesomethingthattheresidentsmightenjoytogoat,ormaybeacoffeeplaceoraIcecreamshop,thosearethethingsthataremissingintheSouthEnd.

Ifresidentsdidnothaveanswerstoyourquestions,weretheyabletoreferyoutosomeoneelsewhocouldprovideassistance?

• Itishardtorefertosomeonewhodoeshaveanswersintheareabecauseiftheresidentsdonotknowthattheycanhelpthecommunitygetbetterthentheydon'tknowtheyhavesomeonetorefertoaboutanyquestionstheyhave.

• no.Severalofthemareunawareofthings.• I'msuretheywouldhavebeenabletorefermetosomeonewhohadananswertomy

question.• Alltheresidentswereabletoanswerourquestionsbecausesomeofthemhadlivedinthe

SouthMainalltheirlivessotheykneweverythingabouttheSouthEndandtheyansweredallofourquestions.

Wereneighborhoodresidentsknowledgeableabouttheirneighborhood?

• Duringthegroupspeechofthe4formerresidentstheywereknowledgeableabouttheircommunitytheywerespeakingaboutwhatexactlygoesoninthecommunityandwhatisneededtodotofixit.

• Yes.Basedononlyoneresidentshewasveryknowledgeableabouttheoverallconditionoftheneighborhood.

• Theneighborhoodresidentswereknowledgeableabouttheirneighborhoodandfeltcomfortableinthelivingspace.

• TheresidentswespokewithgrewupintheSouthEndsotheywereveryknowledgeableaboutwhathasbeengoingonintheircommunityandtheyreallywanttoseeitchangefor


thebetter.• Yesofcourse,theyknewtheproblemsthattheSouthEndhadandknewwhattheyhadto

dotomaketheSouthEndaliveagainandmakepeoplewanttocomeandliveinthere.Ingeneral,didresidentsyouspokewithhaveapositiveornegativeattitudetowardtheircommunity?Didyousenseneighborhoodpride?

• TheoverallhelplessoftheresidentsdeservesanB.Theonesthatcameintotalkhadalotofimportantinformationbuttheonesthatdidnotownthebusinessesdidnotknowmuch.Alotoflocalresidentshadnegativecommentsbecausethereisalotofabandonedbuildingsandnotmanybusinessesareopentotheareathataredifferentfromtheothers.Buttherewasneighborhoodpridetheyjustfeelthattheneighborhoodneedstoimprove.

• Thereisnoneighborhoodprideonappearancebasedonthewayitlooks.Iamnotsureiftheytakeprideinwheretheyarefrom.

• TheresidentsIspokewithduringthefocusgrouphadmixedemotionsabouttheneighborhood.Somepositiveswere:Theaccessibilityofthemall,markets,hospitalsandcornerstoresinthearea.Somenegativeswere:lackofspaceforthechildrentoplaysafelyin,theresidentsnotknowingwhatgoesonaroundtheircommunity,andtheresidentsnotputtinginanyefforttomakechangeintheircommunity.

• IwouldsayitispositivebecausetheyallbelievedthattheycouldturntheSouthEndintowhatitwasandtheywereenthusiasticaboutitanddidnothaveanynegativeattitudetowardstheSouthEnd.

Didresidentsidentifyaparticularissuetobeofmajorconcern?

• Theresidentsmajorconcernwasthattherewastoomanyvacantlotsandtrashinthearea.• yes.Inseveralcasesitwaspeoplesignorancetocertainissuesoftheoverallappearanceof

theneighborhood.Alsothelackofactivities.• Residentsbelieve• Theneedformoreshoppingareas,restaurants,asafespaceforthechildren,changeinthe

community...etc.• Yesthebiggestconcernthattheyhadwasthattheywantedaplayground,andaparkfor

kidstoplayat.Solandscapewasahugeconcerningfactorforthem,ADDITIONALFOCUSGROUPQUESTION:Wheredoresidentsgotoaccessbasicneeds?

• BecausemanyresidentsoftheSouthEndarelow-income,theyhavelesstospendandarelimitedintheirabilitytotravel.Thespeakersdiscussedsocialservicesofferedintheareaaswellasthelocalsupermarkets,whichcannolongerrunon"credit"systemsthatarerootedinfamiliarityandtrustbetweenbusinessesandresidents.Therewasastrongemphasisontheneedfor"greenspace"aswellastheneedforresidentstobeabletodirectlycommunicatetheirneeds.

• MostresidentsgotoplacesliketheMall,orotherplacesfartherawaytoaccesstheirbasicneeds.Tryingtogetextrabusstopshere.

• Thereisalanguagebarrier,makesitharderforpeopletofindoutwheretogo,thereare


plentyofservices.Thereisaneedforahomelessshelter.• ThereisaneedforaHospitalincloseproximity.• Oneparticipant-Notmanypeopleareinvolved,andasaresultdonotknowwheremany

servicesaresuchastheshelterandSt.VincentandPaul.• Toaccessbasicneedstheresidentsgototheconveniencestoreslocatedallaroundthe

neighborhood.ThereisalsoaWalgreenslocatedonlyacoupleofminutesawayfromtheSouthEnd.IrememberallofthosewhogrewupintheSouthEnd,,andVictor

• BecauseoftheSouthEnd’sprimelocation,SaintMary’sHospitaliswithinwalkingdistanceforresidents.Thehospitalprovidesanumberofhealthcareserviceswithinthecampus.

• Becauseofactivism,therearenowanumberofbusstopsintheSouthEndtoassistpeoplewhodonothaveamotorvehicle.SouthEnddoeslackagreen-spaceforchildrentoplay.

• Thoughthereareanumberofservicesprovidedbyreligiousorganizations,thecity,andnon-profitorganizations,somecitizensarenotinformedwhatservicesareofferedandwheretheservicescanbefound.

• Thereisalackofpoliticalinterestintheneighborhoodthatpreventspeoplefrombeinginvolvedinimprovingbasicneedservices.Simplyreadingthenewspaperisanexcellentwayofbeinginformedoftheissues.

• sayinghowthoseinthebodegaswouldgivepeoplecreditthatcouldnotaffordtogetthebasicneedsfromtheseplaceswhennecessary.

• Walgreens,hospital,socialclubs• Gatewaytoothertownsorplaces• Thehospital• Themall,markets,cornerstores,andhospital.• Residentsgotothemall,hospitalanddowntown,whichareallwalkingdistanceawayfrom

theneighborhood.• Peoplejustdonotknowwheretogotogetaccesstodifferentthingsprovideservicesto

peoplewhoneed• Thehospitalandthehospitalcomplexyoudonotneedacarbecausethebusesrunrightby

itprovidesjobsandbringmoneyinforthecityveryaccessible• Lackofpeoplethatdonotreadnewspapersarenotuptodatewithwhatis

ADDITIONALFOCUSGROUPQUESTION:Ifyoucouldchangeonekeythingabouttheneighborhood,whatwoulditbe?

• EveryspeakerhadtiestotheSouthEnd,andtheywereallaroundtoseeitduringbettertimes,whichmadethemallthemorepassionateaboutreturningittoitsformerglory.OneparticipantspokeabouthistimeintheSouthEndandlamentedthedyingsenseofcommunity,whichhebelievedhelpmakeacommunitymoreefficientandeffectiveaswellashappier.Theyacknowledgedthatresidentsweresurprisedbythesuccessofnewdevelopments,suchastheonesbyLoyola,andthattheselowexpectationsandsenseofapathywereamongthebiggestobstaclestowardsrevitalizingthecommunity.Asenseofprideinone'sneighborhoodanditsresidentsareessentialifacommunityistorecoverfromadecline,especiallyiftheresidentsaretohavecontrolwithinthedecision-makingprocess.BilingualserviceswerealsosuggestedasnecessarywithintheSouthEndtomakethe


processasinclusiveaspossible• Wouldliketohaveagreenspacehere,likeapark.• Oneparticipant-Getmorepeopleinvolvedcivically.• Getmorepeopleengagedinthecommunity.• Ifcouldchangeonekeythingabouttheneighborhood,itwouldbeformorepeopletoget

involvedasIthinkbothoftheVictorsmentioned.IlikedhearinghowOneparticipantranintonewresidentswhohadnoideawhatwasgoingonintheSouthEnd.Allittookwasafewminutesforthemtounderstandandgetinvolvedwithwhatwasgoingon.Itisnothardtogooutandgetinformedandhelpthecommunitythatyouliveinespeciallywhenitisclearitisstruggling.Irememberhearingthereisenoughopportunityasthereischallengeandfamiliesmustgetcivicallyinvolvedintheircommunity.

• Oneparticipant:thelackofinvolvement;getfamiliesinvolvedandvote• Thelackofinvolvement• Cleanliness(kidspickupbadthings)• Driveofemployment• Maketheresidentsmoreawareofwhatisgoingonaround• them.• Gettheresidentsmoreinvolved.• Lessenthelanguagebarrier.• ChangetheperceptionoftheSouthEnd.• Makeconnectionswithintheneighborhood.• Strengthentheeducationsystem.• Oneparticipantreallywantstoopenachildren’smuseum,getacommunityactivist/watch

andhavegreen,openspaceforthekidstogooutandsafelyplay.totallyagreewithherbecausehehopesofcreatingathleticactivitieslikelittleleagueswiththepurposeofhavingfunandbringingpeopletogetherlikeitdidmanyyearsago.Thiswouldcreate“astrongfoundation”oftrustandgetpeopleinvolvedwithachanceofknowingyourneighbors.wantedpeopletobemoreinformedsothatwaytheygetinvolvedofalltheservicesthatareavailableevenifindividualshavealanguagebarrier.wantedpeopletochangetheirperceptionontheneighborhoodandoneparticipantwantspeopletohavefaiththataffordablehousingisavailable.

• Onecriticalchangeabouttheneighborhoodistheperceptionofthearea.MostpeoplehaveanegativeviewabouttheSouthEndandWaterburyasawhole.Apositiveoutlookwouldinstillhopeandcommitmentversusthenegativitythatyieldscontent.Oneparticipant-TheSouthEndlackspoliticalinvolvement.Veryfewpeoplevoteorotherwisevoicetheiropinions.Peopleneedtoknowhowimportantitistobeinformedandbecivicallyinvolved.Suchactivityleadstocommunityimprovement.

• Thereisnowhereforthekidstorunaroundandbekids• Communityactivism• Startbuildingafoundationnow-getfamiliescivicallyinvolved

Opendiscussionandadditionalquestions:

• Twoparticipantstalkedtousabouthowpeopleuse“fiao”orcredittogetthingsbeforelike


groceriesbutnotanymore.toldusthestoryofhowevenifhisnotcurrentlylivingthere,hewillalwaysbe“aWaterburyboy”.Oneparticipanttoldushowthingshavechangefromwhenshewasgrowinguptohowthingsarenowwithherthreechildren.Finally,thepanelpointedoutthattheSouthEndtookdecadestogetwhereitisnowandwilltakesomeyearstogettothecuttingedgebutthereisagoaltogettheSouthEndtohowitusedtobe.Thusonestudentasked“howdoyougetpeopletostayintheneighborhood?”Oneparticipantsimplysaidopportunitiesandpublicity.Ifpeoplehavejobs,trust,and“astrongfoundation”,theycometogetherandwanttohelpspreadthewordabouttheneighborhoodwhichinvitesmorepeopleover


UsingyoursensesWhatdidthecommunitytastelike?Wasthereanyspecialtyfooditem,bakery,restaurant,orotherfoodstorethatyouwillremember?

• ItisaveryHispanicareasothereisalotofSpanishrestaurants.Isawatotalof3restaurantsonSouthMainalone.ThereisalsomanycornerstoreswhichareownedbyHispanicowners.

• Noparticulartaste.• N/A• Wedidn'tliterallytasteanythingasagroup.IrememberBargainFoodCenterwhichwasa

cornerstoreandanotheracrossfromthechurch.• TherewereEcuadorianandLatinrestaurantsintheareaaswellasotherstoreswithfood.

AlthoughIdidnotpersonallytasteanyfoodthebusinesseslookedcleanandthearomasthatreachedthestreetwerepleasant.

• Ididn'treallygetatasteoftheneighborhoodreally.IsawtherewasanicecreamplaceandfoodandlittlestoresbutIwasn'treallygettingasmellfromthem.However,IdidgetthesmellofkindoflikeatrashmoldysmellwhenIfoundanopenfencethathadnothingbuttrashwheretheWaterburyCompanyusedtobe.

• Asavegetarian,Ididn'thavemanyrestaurantoptions.Therearemanyconveniencestores,andIatedollarstorecandy.

• Nothere'snothingIwillremember• ThereareafewrestaurantspresentintheSouthEnd.Anicecreamshopisalsothere.• N/A• Therewasanicecreamparlorinthemiddleoftheneighborhoodthatdidn'tlookvery

sanitaryorinviting.IalsospottedtwotinyHispanicrestaurants.• TherewereacoupleofrestaurantsbutitmostlyHispanicfoodsoifsomeonerandomjust

drivesupinthesouthendandgoestotherestauranthewillnotfindfoodheenjoys.• Ididnotgetachancetotasteanyfoodswhilewewerewalkingaround.

Whatdidthecommunitysmelllike?Werethereanyoffensivesmells?Whataboutpleasantodors(flowers,food,etc.)?

• Ididsmellalotofcarexhaustintheneighborhood.Otherthanthat,thereweren'tmanydistinguishablesmells.However,ifyoustoodonthebridgedovertheMadRiveryoucouldsmellthewater.

• Ididnotsmellanyoffensiveodorsexceptfortheonebythefactory.Itwasactuallycomingfrominsidethefactory.Therearemanygoodonescomingfromtherestaurants.

• SmallraisedbedsonMillStprovidedapleasantodor.JewelrySthadapungentodorofdecomposinggarbagebythevacantfactory.

• JewelryStsmellsliketrashandmold.E.Clay/S.MainsmelledlikePuertoRicancooking• Theneighborhoodincertainareasdidnothaveapleasantsmell.Therewasthesmellof

garbageandmold.Therewasfoodonthegroundwhichleftabadsmellanddogpooponeverystreetwhichleftaterriblesmell.

• JewelryStreetsmelledhorriblewithindustrial,agriculturalandsewagesmells.• Unlessneararestaurant,theneighborhoodcarriedavery"industrial"smellwhichwasnot


particularlypleasant.• IdidgetthesmellofkindoflikeatrashmoldysmellwhenIfoundanopenfencethathad

nothingbuttrashwheretheWaterburyCompanyusedtobe.ButIdidn'tnotnoticeanytaste.• Thereisapublicappletreethatsmelledlovely.Partsoftheairsmelledlikesewage/pollution,

buttherewerealsoflowerysmells.Theinsidesofrestaurantswerepungent,inawaythatperhapsappealedtoothersbutnotme.

• nonoticeablesmells.• Notmanyoffensiveodors,occasionalsmellofacar.Therewerenotmanypleasantodors,

suchasflowersforexample,either.• Theodorsaroundtheneighborhoodconsistedoftrashandsewage,butsometimeswewould

comeacrossthesmelloffood.• Itsmelledold.Someareassmelledbetterthanothers.Theonlypleasantsmellwasbythe

riversidewiththelittlewaterfall,thatareasmelledfresher.• HonestlytherewasnosortoflandscapeintheneighborhoodsatallandIthinkthatiswhatis

reallymissingintheseneighborhoods.Ifuseeflowersandgreenspacesugetagoodsenseoftheneighborhoodbutifuseenothingbuttrashonthestreetsyouarenotgoingtowanttolivethere.

• Whenwewalkedinthestoreacrossthestreet,Ismelledbacon,eggs,andchickenbeingprepared.

Whatsoundsdidyouhear?Pleasecommentonthelevelofnoiseinthecommunity(e.g.,traffic,industrialnoises,birdssinging,waterfountains,musiconthestreets,trains,clockchimes).

• ThefirstthingthatcomestomindistheMadRiver.Thewaterfallthatfeedstheriverisquitepleasant.Otherthanthat,theleveloftrafficnoisewasn'ttoobad,althoughtherewasthisonepersonwhowasridingaroundonhisdirtbikewhichwasloud.

• IheardalotofthenoisesthatIhearinmytown.Therewasacarblastingnoise.otherthanthatIdonotheartrainsverycloseby.Thereisahighwayclosebybutitisnotinthearea.

• BirdswereaudibleonWestLibertyaswellasarooster.Children'slaughterwasextremelypleasantbytheelementaryschool.Dieselenginesfromdeliverytruckswerequiteloud.

• ChickensonW.LibertySt,dogsinneighborhood(MillSt),loudtrucks/trafficandmusicfromcars,childrenplayingatschoolyard

• ThesoundsIheardwerebirdsonElibertystreet,roostersorchickensonJewelrySt,alotofloudtrucksandtraffic,loudmusic.ItwasprettyquietfromEclaySt.toMills.

• ThedayItookawalkontheneighborhood,Iheardchildrenplayingintheschoolplayground,heavytrafficonMainStreetwithmusiccomingoutofthecars,arooster,dogbarking,andbirdssingingasIpassedbythehouses.

• SomeofthesoundsIheardincluderevvingengines,barkingdogs,conversationsthattraveledthroughopenwindows,aswellasregulartraffic.

• Ihearalotoftalkingandalotoftrafficupanddownthestreets.Therewasnevernotacarinsightwhileoutthere.Ialsonoticedtherewerealotofpeopleoccupyingthestreetssoearlyintheday.

• TherearealotoftrafficnoisesonSouthMainStreet,butotherwise,behindthebuildingsandwhatnotyoucanonlyhearfarawaysoundsofcarsdriving.Therealsoarethesoundsofchildrenplayingnearthechurch,asthereisanelementaryschoolacrosstheway.


• Iheardtrafficfromi84.• ThesoundthatImostlyheardwasthesoundoftrafficintheroad.• Rostersanddogs,loudtrafficwithcarsblastingmusic,butquietaroundtheschool• Pitbullsbarking.Thenoiselevelwasaverage,probablybecausetheresidentswerenothome.• Ithinksomeoftheneighborhoodswereprettyquiet,aswewalkedaroundIdidnothearloud

music,maybetheyhappenatnightbutwhenIwalkedaroundtheneighborhoodsIdidn'tnothearanyloudnoises.

• Iheardalotofkidsplayingoutsidewhenwewalkedbytheschool.ThechurchhadquietmusicplayingwhenwewalkedinandtherewasalsoabuildingplayingmusicaroundthecornerfromLoyola.

Howwouldyoudescribetheoverallenvironmentalhealthofthecommunity(airquality,litter,noisepollution,etc.)?

• Theairqualityandnoiselevelsarejustfine,howeveritfeelslikethereislitterinmostareas.Itseemstobemainlyinthewoodedareaswherethefencesaredown.

• Thereisalotofpollutionintheareabecauseofalltheabandonedfactoriesbutit’sveryhardtosmellifyouarenotclosetothem.

• TheonlyenvironmentalconcernistheabandonedfactoryonJewelryStandtheBrownfieldsiteonMillStreet.Airqualityappearedtobestandard.

• Litterishorrendous,noiselevelistolerableduringthedayhours,airisrelativelyfine• Theairqualityisdecent.Theliteristerrible.Thenoiseisbearable.Therewerepiecesofglass

onthefloorwhichcouldbedangerous.• Thelitterishorrible,noisepollutionwasdecentandtheairqualitycouldbeimprove.• Theairqualityislikelynotverygood,thesoundswereloudbutnotunbearablyso,andthe

sheeramountoflitterwasunlikeanythingIhadseenbefore.• Theairqualityisn'ttoobadoverall.Excepttherearesomeplacesthatdosmellkindofmoldy

andnotascleanastheyshouldbe.ThereisALOToflittereverywhereandtherearereallynotrashbinsinsight.

• Thepollutionissurprisinglynotterrible,thoughanunpleasantodorwilloccasionallyremindyouthatyouareinacity.Itisnotincrediblyloudeither.

• Theneighborhoodisprettyrundown.Severalabandonedbuildings.• Lotsoflitter,passingcarsalsoahealthhazard,theblightedgroundsoftheabandoned

factoriesarealsoahealthconcern.• Theenvironmentisnotveryhealthywiththelitteringeverywhere.Therewerealsomanyfor

rentsigns,andthoughthehousesdidnotlookbadtheywereplacednexttoboardedhomes.• Theabundanceoftrashlitteringthefloorthrewmeoff.Itwasalittleunpleasantwalking

throughsomeareasbecauseIhadtoconstantlyavoidsteppingonlitteranddogexcrement.• IwouldsayitisveryPoorduetothefactthattherearealotofabandonedfactoriesandin

thoseplacespeoplethrowtheirtrashaway,IrememberwalkinginaneighborhoodwheretherewerehousesinfrontofthefactoriesandallIsawinthoseplaceswastrashthrownawaybypeopleandIcouldnotbelievehowtheywouldliveinsuchaunhealthyenvironment.

• IwoulddescribetheoverallenvironmentalhealthoftheneighborhoodasPoor.Theairqualitywasnotthatbad,butitwasalotofdirtpollutioninsomeareas.Therewerelargeamountsoflittereverywherethatwewent.


Didyouexperienceanythingthathadastronglynegativeorpositiveimpactonthewaythecommunityfelttoyou(e.g.,childrenplaying,hatefulorangryresponses,crowdedordesertedstreets,safetyissues,smilingfaces)?

• TherewasonehousethatmygrouppassedonRiverStreet.Thepersonlivingtheremusthavehadseveraldogsbecausemanyofthemwerebarkingandwecouldhearthemfromthestreet.JusttheamountoflitterthatIsawwaswhatreallyshockedme.

• TheneighborhoodwasoverallniceotherthanthefactthearealooksbadbecausethereisbuildingsthatarebadlookingandEmptyspacewheregrassisgrowinganditsdirty.Ifthiswastobefixedtheneighborhoodwouldbegreatbecauseeverythingthat’swrongisvisual.

• Thestrongestimpactwastheschool.Thestudentswerehappyandprovidedasenseofcommunity.Thedesertedstreets,especiallybyMillSt,providedanoddsenseofvacancy.

• Openinginfenceatschoolposesconcernforchildren'ssafetyatschool.Thereweretwoinstructorsoutsideplayingwithkidsbutneitherwatchingtheopening,andtherewereabout50kidsrunningaround.Anyandallcouldescapeorsomeonecomeinwhoisnotauthorized

• Prettymucheverythingwasnegative.Therearenoparksorplacesforchildrentoplay.Itseemslikeitcouldgetcrowdedattimesandtherearedesertedstreetsthatseemedasifnobodylivedthere.Ididn'tseeanysmilingfaces.

• Recklessdrivingalongwiththeopenfenceontheschoolplaygroundwherethestudentswereplayingwithnoadultsupervisionneartheopenspacegavemeastronglynegativeimpactontheneighborhood.Anyonecouldhadgoneinsideoroutthatopenpartofthefencemakingthechildrenunsafe.Butobservingcolorfulclotheshangingonahousefencemademesmile.

• Ourpresenceintheneighborhooddidnotgounnoticed,butpeoplekepttothemselvesandsilentlywatchedusstudytheirhomesandbusinesses.Onehomeinparticularhadthreepitbulls,whowerevery"excited"byourarrival,tuggingadamantlyattheirchains.

• Iactuallydidn'tnoticeanychildrenreally.AlthoughIdidseeawomenwithtwokidswalkingaroundtheneighborhood.Itmademewonderwhyherekidswerenotinschool.Mygroupalsowalkeddownastreetwithlike2-3pitbullsoutandthatiskindofconcerningtocomeincontactwith.

• Noonesmiledatus,butwedidnotgetanyunpleasantresponses.Thelackofstorestoshopinwasdisappointing.

• NoIdidnot.• Thethingthatimpactedmethemostinanegativewaywasthefactthattheneighborhood

residentswerenotveryfriendlytowardsus.Someofmygroupmemberssaidhitothemandtheygavehimnoresponseandsimplywalkedaway.Whilethestreetswerefairlyemptythecouldpossiblybeattributedtothetimeofday,ifnotitcouldpossiblybeattributedtothenegativereputationoftheSouthEnd.

• Thefenceattheschoolhadandopeningwhichmadeitopentothepublicwhilethekidswereplaying.ThishadanegativeimpactonthewayIfeltabouttheneighborhoodbecausethatisdangerousandputsthekidsatriskofdanger.

• IfeltveryunsafeasIwalkedthroughtheareawithabandonedbuildings,becausesomeonecanjumpoutofthematanyminuteandattack.

• WellIsawacoupleoffamilieswithdogsIguesstheyusethemforselfprotection,andIdidnotseeanychildrenplayingonthestreetsandthepeoplewerenotveryfriendly.


• Thepeoplewholivedintheneighborhoodwasnotreallyfriendly.Ifwesaidhitothem,theywouldjuststareatusormumbleundertheirbreath.Ifeltthatitwasreallyrude.


]

WrapupWasyourperceptionpriortothevisitaccurate?Inwhatwayswasthecommunitydifferentfromwhatyouexpected?

• Idon'tthinkmyperceptionoftheneighborhoodwasaccurate,namelybecauseIhadnoperceptionoftheneighborhoodbeforeIvisitedit.It'sactuallyabitworseoffthanIexpectedwithallthevacantlots.

• MyperceptionwasverydifferentfromwhatInoticedattheendofmytimethere.Itisaniceneighborhooditjustneedspeopletorepresentitbetterandmakeitbetterbyputtingintheproperfunding.

• Myperceptionoftheareawasaccurateintermsofthephysicalattributesofthearea.Iwasawareoftheconditionsofbuildingsandthebrownfieldsitesfrompreviousindustrialactivity.Onapositivenote,IknewtheSouthEndhadhistoricarchitecturethatwasnotdestroyedbytheInterstate84constructionandurbanrenewalpractices.Iwasnotawareofthedumpingthatoccursinthevacantfactorybuildings.TheJewelryStreetfactoryisfilledwithrubbish.

Didtheinformationyoucollectedpriortothevisitaccuratelyreflectwhatyouobservedandexperienced?

• TheresearchthatIdidjustbeforethevisitdidcolormyexpectationsabit.WhenIrealizedthattheindustrylefttheneighborhoodwithoutmuchafterleavingeverythingcameintomuchbetterfocus.

• YesexceptforsomebecauseIdidexpecttoseealotofLatinosandIdid.IalsoexpectedtoseevacantlotsandIdid.TheonlythingdifferentisthatIdidnotseeabadarea.

• Basedontheresearch,theSouthEndistypicalofapost-industrialurbanneighborhood.Thereareparcelsoflandthatarereminiscentofonceprosperoustimesbutthecurrentstatusotherwisesuggestsanareaofeconomicsuffering.LocalonlinesourcessuggestedanimmigrantshiftfromWesternEuropeantocurrentlyLatinomajority.Fromwalkingaround,thefewresidentsthatIencounteredappearedtobeofLatinocommunity.Localbusinessescatertosuchpopulationsuchasthefinancialservices(money-gram)andtheHispanicrestaurants.

Whatisthemostoutstandingfeatureofthiscommunity?

• Themostnotablethingabouttheneighborhoodistheamountofvacantbuildingsandlotsinthearea.

• Thepeopleseemtoacceptyouforwhoyouare.• Themostoutstandingfeatureistheconstructionofaffordablehousing.Loyola'sdiligence

andcommitmenthasclearresults.TheconstructionofLibertyCommonshasaffirmedthecorporation'slegitimacy.Residentshaveseenaclearchangefromabandonedparcelsoflandtonewaffordablerentalunits.


Listthreepositivethingsyouobservedaboutthiscommunity:

• Availabilityofspaceandvacantland• Proximitytothecitycenterandhighways• Thegreatfoodandrestaurants• Thepeople,immigrantpopulationandhistory,commitmentofresidentsandbusiness

ownerstoenactchangeandprogression.• Lowcosthousingavailability• Richhistoryofthearea• LoyolaDevelopmentGroupitselfisahugeassetforthecommunity• Historicarchitecture• Despitehighpoverty,notalotofdrugs,crime,loitering• Locationneartheriver• Strongreligiouspresenceinthecommunity• Highqualityschools

Whatarethetoppotentialopportunitiesavailabletothiscommunity?

5. Takeadvantageofvacantlandandabandonedbuildingsfornewdevelopment:TheSouthEndhasendlessopportunitywiththevacantland.Thisprovidesthecommunitywithanareatodeterminewhatislackingintheneighborhoodincludingpublic,privateorcommercialspaceneeds

6. Providetrainingforresidentsinskillsthatwillfacilitatedevelopmentsuchasconstructionandleadershiptraining

7. ConsiderGreenbeltdevelopmenttotakeadvantageoflocalriveraccessWiththerivernolongerheavilypolluted,therecreationalpossibilitiesareendless.Familiescanfinallyhaveacommonsharedspacetointeractandenjoynature

8. TakeadvantageoflocationLinkedbetweendowntown,thehighwaysystem,andNaugatuck,theSouthEndhaspotentialforbusinesspatrons.Theareaiseasilyaccessibleforpeopleinsurroundingcommunities.

Otheropportunities:• Thenearbyschoolisattractiveforparentswithyoungchildren.• Buildlowercost,affordablehousing• Rehabexistingparkspacesinsteadofbuildingnewones

Whatarethebiggestobstaclesorchallengesfacingthecommunity?

6. SoilandwaterpollutionIncludestrash,contaminatedlandandbrownfieldsthatrequirelotsofinvestmenttodevelop.Becausetheimmensecostofremediatingtheland,littleprogressismade.

7. Lackofcommunityparticipation,uninformedorunmotivatedresidentsManyoftheresidentsalsoarenotinformed.Illinformedresidentsarenotlikelytoactivelyparticipatein


change.Illinformedresidentsonlyperpetuatethenegativefeelingsoftheneighborhood.Evenifchangeoccurs,theneighborhoodmustcombatgentrification.Risinghomeandrentpriceswillforceoutlongtimeresidentsandwillbereplacedbyamoreaffluentclassofpeople.

8. LackofaccessibilityintheneighborhoodDespitetheneighborhood'sgreatlocationnearhighways,itlackspublictransportation,bikelaneselderlyandhandicappedaccess

9. Poverty10. VacantlandandabandonedbuildingsAsnotedthisisanopportunityandanassetbut

theseareeyesoresintheneighborhood.MuchvacantlandintheSouthEndistheresultofabsenteeownership.Whenpeopleandorganizationsinquireabouttheland,theownerscannotbelocatedorcontacted.Thismakesitverydifficultfordevelopmenttotakeplace.

Whatwillyouremembermostaboutthiscommunitysixmonthsfromnow(negativeorpositive)?

• IthinkwhatIwillremembermostisalltheabandonedbuildingsinthearea.Therearejustsomanyintheareawe'vebeenlookingat.Iwouldsaythattherehastobeafewoneverystreet.WhatIwouldliketoseemostisthatifIevercomebacktotheSouthEndthatIcanseealltheseabandonedbuildingsrefurbished.

• Thesmellofallthefoodthatsmellsgreat.• ThemostsignificantimageIhaveabouttheneighborhoodisthedumpingandlitter.Along

secondarystreets,garbageoccupiesvacantlandandbrokenglasscoverspartsofthesidewalk.Theareaisnotsafeforchildrentoplaybythemselves.Asidefromthethreatofcrime,theycouldeasilyharmthemselvesintheseneighborhoods.

Whathaveyoulearnedthathaschangedyourimpressionofyourowncommunity?

• Ihaveanewappreciationformyneighborhood.IneverlivedneartheoldindustrialsectorDanburyusedtohavebutalltogethertoldthecityhasheldtogetherevenwithindustryleavingthecity.

• Thatthereissomethingthat,thatneighborhoodhasthatminedoesn’tandsomethingthatminehasthattheirsdoesn’t.

• Ihavelearnedthatdespitethecurrentneighborhoodstatus,manyresidentsarediligentlyworkingtoimprovetheneighborhood.Ihadassumedthatmostresidentswereapathetictothecondition.Fromthepaneldiscussion,thereisstillacoregroupofpeoplethatcareaboutthecommunity,businesses,andtheresidents.

Hasthisexperiencegivenyouanynewideasaboutwhatisneededinyourowncommunity?

• TheareaIliveinismostlyresidentialandnearoneofthecommercialdistrictsinmycity.IthinkwhatmyneighborhoodneedsismoreseniorcareafterwalkingthroughtheSouthEnd.Ijustrealizedthatmanyelderlypeoplemightnotactuallybelivingwithfamilysotheyneedsomeplacetolive.

• Yesthisdefinitelygavemeideas.• NotmanyparallelscanbedrawnfromtheSouthEndandmyownneighborhood.TheSouth

Endisadeprivedneighborhoodwhereasmycommunityismuchmoreaffluentanddoesnothavethesameissues.Alreadyparticipatinginthreedifferentcommunityorganizations,


Iworkwithmyfellowneighborstosolvethelocalizedproblemswithinmytown.Describeoneideathatyouwillborrowforuseinyourowncommunityanddescribehowyouwillimplementit.

• Thereareafewbuildingsonlevelgroundinmyneighborhoodthatisclosetothemainroad.Ithinkitwouldbeagoodideatobuildseniorhousingtheresothatpeoplewouldhaveaneasytimeaccessingthebuildings.

• Weareinneedofrecreationalactivitiesintheareabecausetheothersarelocatedindowntown.Iwilltrytostartsomethingatthehighschoollikeanafterschoolgameday.

TheConnecticutFirstImpressionsprogramwasadaptedfromtheUW-ExtensionFirstImpressionsProgramdevelopedbyAndrewLewisandJamesSchneiderin1991andrevisedbyAndrewLewisin2002and2007.LauraBrown,LauraDombrock,andAnnWiedfurtherrevisedtheFirstImpressionsprogrammanualsin2014.Inaddition,LisaMcKinnon,JayMoynihan,Solomon,BeverlyStencel,DianaTscheschlok,IngridWest,andKristineZaballosprovidedvaluableinput.TheprogramwasrevisedandadaptedforConnecticutin2015byLauraBrownandSusanWesta.TheConnecticutFirstImpressionsProgramisajointprogramofUConnExtensionandtheConnecticut

MainStreetCenter.ThankyouforparticipatingintheCommunityFirstImpressionsProgram.QuestionsabouttheConnecticutFirstImpressionsprogramshouldbedirectedto:LauraBrown-Community&EconomicDevelopmentEducatorUniversityofConnecticutDepartmentofExtensionFairfieldCountyExtensionCenter67StonyHillRd,Bethel,CT06801-3056Direct:203.207.0063*Main:203-207-8440laura.brown@uconn.eduorSusanWestaConnecticutMainStreetCenterEversourcePOBox270,Hartford,[email protected]@ctmainstreet.org

mailto:[email protected]

community first impressions...longer heavily polluted, the recreational possibilities are endless....

Documents