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East Bayfront Neighborhood Watch Strategic Plan

The East Bayfront Neighborhood Planning Project is a result of more than a year’s work by many organizations, community leaders, and residents in the East Bayfront. Planning team members included:

  • East Bayfront Neighborhood Watch
  • The Erie Neighborhood Watch Council
  • McAuley Institute
  • Mercyhurst College Civic Institute

The planning project focused on four main issues:

<Category Tabs will show up here> 

Neighborhood Housing

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Goal:

Improve the quality of life in the East Bayfront neighborhood.

Vision:

Through housing efforts initiated by the neighborhood, the East Bayfront will become a neighborhood with a more uniform standard of good housing quality, repair and maintenance. Landlords will become involved in the community organization, a neighborhood-based, nonprofit housing development organization will serve as a central information resource on housing, volunteers will use their talents and skills to help renovate and maintain properties and the community spirit of the East Bayfront will continue to grow.

Priority Actions and Strategies:

  1. Establish a nonprofit community development organization for neighborhood housing.
  2. Develop programs to inform residents about a) homeownership and rehabilitation opportunities and resources b) landlord / rental property rehabilitation options and c) strategies to promote housing development by public/private investment.
  3. Initiate efforts to create a “Bureau of Housing” at the City of Erie’s Department of Community and Economic Development to coordinate compliance and resources devoted to housing.

 

Additional Housing Actions and Short-term Strategies

Additional Housing Actions

  1. Enforce existing city housing codes on all properties
  2. Encourage government investment in infrastructure in East Bayfront to attract private owners and investors.
  3. Gain commitment from the City of Erie to support the housing strategies of the Neighborhood Action Plan

Short Term Strategies

  1. Develop architectural/urban design standards as an information resource for homeowners and developers renovating or building in the neighborhood.
  2. Encourage major nearby employers to provide incentives for employees to live in the area by creating walk-to-work programs.
  3. Create a tenant/landlord program to match interested tenants with neighborhood landlords interested in maintaining quality rental housing.
  4. Inform residents about existing homeownership purchase programs and investigate a low interest loan program for home rehabilitation.
 

Neighborhood Image

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Goal:

Organize the community to build a positive neighborhood image, build neighborhood pride and beautify the neighborhood.

Vision:

When you approach the East Bayfront, you will be greeted by the “Welcome to the East Bayfront” gateway sign. The neighborhood will be known for its distinctive decorative plantings. There will be new homeowners, many who currently rent and have first option to buy properties in the neighborhood. The rate of homeownership will be up to 65%, the national average. There will be new and renovated homes and no homes in serious disrepair. In fact, East Bayfront will be such a positive community that there will be waiting lists for people to move into the neighborhood. Historical tours of Erie will highlight the neighborhood and regular multicultural celebrations – picnics, holiday, events and more bring people together. Access to the Bayfront is easy via a pedestrian bridge at the foot of Holland Street.

Priority Actions and Strategies:

  1. Beautify the neighborhood and bluff.
    • Develop a “Beautiful Yard/Home” contest
    • Distribute Flags to display on holidays
    • Create community gardens
    • Install plantings on the bluff
  2. Gain visibility and promote a unique neighborhood identity by developing a "motto/theme" and logo for the neighborhood.
  3. Celebrate and commemorate Erie’s history in the East Bayfront
    • Install historical plaques for special notable properties
    • Fund and implement Wayne Blockhouse improvements
    • Create walking tour of the neighborhood
  4. Use special events to build community pride and showcase neighborhood qualities
    • Participate in 5k walk/15k run that brings people from throughout the region to the neighborhood
    • Host multicultural events such as community picnics or festivals that bring everyone in the neighborhood out to meet and have fun
    • Involve youth and families in activities.

 

 

City Services

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Goal:

To improve communication, coordination and cooperation with local government. To improve safety, build stability and foster a sense of community.

Vision:

The East Bayfront enjoys excellent public services including effective community policing, safe parks, better and more appropriate street lighting, and quicker response from police and fire authorities. Neighborhood residents and organizations have good communication with city officials who can help with problems because neighbors know the appropriate contacts and correct procedures.

Priority Actions and Strategies:

  1. Communicate and coordinate with City Government
    • Establish a network of government contacts
    • Invite representatives of city departments as speakers at regular neighborhood meetings
    • Continue on-going relationship with City Council members
  2. Assist residents with direct access to the justice system
    • Provide instruction on filing a summary complaint
  3. Improve safety and traffic patterns.
 



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