Improvement Target Areas

Much ado at Monday April 13th's  meeting. The Mayor presented findings from a County assessment that occurs every 10 years. The presentation focus was “Improvement Target Area”. The County assessed each and every property in Bay, and ‘targeted’ apx. 350 homes and a few businesses to comply with improvements. The majority of homes are on the east side of Bay. 

A resident living on one of the streets that was targeted took “umbrage” with this issue. The way it was being presented stung. With statements that so many more homes were run down in this area and the city wants to “contain the deterioration”. The resident found it personal and insulting. The Mayor said that they don’t want to use the term blighted but…. Alluding to this area as being hit by the recession with low and middle income residents was also a sticking point. How dare there be any labels to an area of town when the residents just may or may not have the desired income in Bay. I asked if these assessments were based on dangerous problems or aesthetics, the response was “both”.  It was also stated that these standards of improvement are ordinance based.

Not to worry – the City has plans in place to help you improve your property – low cost home improvement loans etc. Our Property Maintenance Inspector will focus on working with the people that received notice and need to complete repairs and upkeep. The presentation included moves to help - right down to land acquisition if necessary.   One could not help but get the feeling the City would just as soon see that side of town, which is rife with little cottages and older homes - gone. These small and apparently unkempt homes do not generate the tax dollars the City would like to spend.

Of course many properties need work here and there, clean up – what have you; and of course there is a bigger picture to this for the City. The message being sent was a little over the top and derisive. This has been a cry of many residents in Bay for years. The attitude in which this was presented surely smacked of elitism.  

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