THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 19, 1995 TAG: 9501170111
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
They asked for money for the disabled, money to fight crime, money for housing and even money for a pool cover.
At last Thursday's Planning Commission's open forum, neighborhood leaders, citizens and staff of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority made requests for pieces of an $8.7 million community development grant for the city's 1995-96 fiscal year.
The room on the 11th floor of City Hall was near capacity as speakers waited to make their pitches. It marked only the second year the commission has hosted an open forum. It offers an early sounding board for the public to make funding solicitation prior to the commission's public hearing in the spring.
``We had a large crowd for last year's forum, but the turnout has been even bigger this year,'' said Juanita Buster, a city senior planner.
Approximately three dozen speakers addressed the commission.
The first request was for $250,000 for the proposed Tanner's Creek Project, a horticultural complex at the zoo that would train and hire the handicapped. The project is co-sponsored by the Louise W. Eggleston Center. Several center employees spoke, including one in a wheelchair. More than 20 people stood on behalf of the proposal.
``This would be a very productive way to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities,'' said Paul Atkinson, the center's executive director.
Commissioner Robert Layton asked how many jobs might be created. Atkinson estimated at least 20 in the first year and possibly as many as 100 in the next five years.
Walter Dickerson, representing the Norfolk Crime Coalition, noted an increase in crime and drug trafficking in the Lafayette-Winona and Ballentine areas and asked for expanded recreational facilities for disadvantaged youths.
Trish Manthey, executive director of the Dwelling Place, a shelter for homeless families, asked the commission to continue the city's annual appropriation of $35,000.
Joseph Riddick, a staff member of the AIDS resource center at EVMS, made a plea for funds for housing AIDS patients.
The most extensive presentation was that of the NRHA. R. Patrick Gomez, the authority's community development director, gave a slide show of the NHRA's 13 current neighborhood projects.
``One point I want to make is that we use the community development block funds with state and city funds in a cost-efficient way that will provide lasting improvements for years to come,'' Gomez said.
Citizens from Berkley, Park Place, Bayview and Ocean View sought support for community programs.
``I think everyone felt that they had a chance to voice their concerns,'' Buster said.
While the atmosphere was positive and hopeful, in past years the NRHA has been criticized by citizens for receiving a majority of the funds, leaving little or nothing for other projects.
Commissioner Anthony Paige once said that residents believed that public participation in the process ``was a joke.'' Before last year's public hearing, Paige said: ``Well-intentioned citizens come here with proposals and not one gets funded.''
Among the citizen's requests, the Tanner's Creek project drew support from the commission.
After the meeting, Commissioner Ewin Ottinger said the project impressed him as a job creator with a long-term impact. Commissioner Barbara Zoby agreed.
``I think the Tanner's Creek-Eggleston proposal was a touching presentation and one we ought to support,'' she said.
The commissioners also indicated they feel the NRHA is doing a good job.
``The best use of any resource is the most organized use, and I think the NRHA has been well-organized and very cost effective,'' Ottinger said. ``The funds are legitimately placed there.''
``I think the NRHA made a valid point of how effective they are,'' Zoby said.
But Ottinger expressed optimism about the future of citizens' proposals.
``I do feel we ought to act on at least one of two of the citizens' projects to give credibility to the hearing process,'' he said.
The commission will study requests made at the forum and those made to the planning department prior to the public hearing. After the public hearing, tentatively set for March 23, the commission will vote on what programs to fund and makes its recommendations to City Council. City Council then will hold a public hearing, tentatively set for April 25, and vote on how the funds will be allocated for the fiscal year.
The public has until Friday to make requests by phone or mail to the planning department.
For information, call the Department of Planning and Codes Administration, 441-2375.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK PLANNING COMMISSION FUNDING GRANT FORUM by CNB