How Vine Neighborhood residents can help plan their future

Residents of the Vine Neighborhood are going to have a chance to have a say in shaping changes designed to raise the quality of life there.

The neighborhood has its strengths -- Chenery Auditorium, Central Corners, and friendly neighbors -- and its weaknesses -- vacant homes, broken bottles, and the litter. Working together, residents can come up with a plan for how to bring about improvements.

Vine Neighborhood Association will be organizing residents in the development of a new neighborhood action plan, says James Ryven Valeii, Community Development Coordinator. Residents will lead the campaign by building on existing neighborhood strengths to solve issues.

Neighborhood Association staff, starting this week, will make themselves available to residents by canvassing the neighborhood, setting aside office hours for resident visits, and facilitating small group meetings with a goal of helping everyone share a vision for completing a plan.

"We want everyone to have a sense of ownership over this plan," says Valeii. "That's why we are going to go door-to-door this year, not with surveys to make statistics, but with open ears and with a vision of a community that has a structure that connects residents and their energy to resources to make a difference."

Those that want to speak with Valeii about plans for Vine can reach him by email or call 616-349-8463.

Steve Walsh, Executive Director of the VNA says there is more than one way residents can get involved and participation can suit their interests and schedules. He encourages residents to learn more about opportunities for Vine in the future, and to make sure that their ideas are heard on both long range planning and other issues as well.

"A successful Vine neighborhood master plan will reflect the values, aspirations and priorities of the whole Vine community," says Walsh. "That’s why it is so important for everyone to learn about and contribute to the planning process."

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Sources: James Ryven Valeii, Steve Walsh, Vine Neighborhood Association