Healthy Neighborhoods in Racine
 

 The American City has experienced decay over the last thirty years. The decline of the downtown centers and its urban neighborhoods are not caused by one another rather they are closely related. These challenges are not unique to Racine but are shared with many other urban neighborhoods. Recently, the downtown center has made great strides in urban revitalization and it is necessary to carry that same priority into its adjacent neighborhoods. For Racine to continue its unique, viable and exciting downtown center it must preserve, promote and celebrate its neighborhoods.

From the beginning, the Towerview Neighborhood in Racine has been a place for working people. With modest sized homes on smaller lots, the neighborhood has provided an opportunity for blue collar households to own a home and be part of a community. The challenge is not for Towerview to transform into a completely different place. Rather the task is how to define the neighborhood as successful- to be a place that can draw on the commitments of people and institutions to keep in a healthy, functioning place.

Approach

NHS has accomplished its mission when property values and civic participation increase. Neighborhood revitalization is reflected in the increased sale prices, assessed values of property, capital and social investments. When people see positive changes around them they are more likely to make investments that benefit them and their neighborhood. There is a correlation between social and financial disinvestment. First a neighborhood experiences social disinvestment then financial disinvestment. Neighborhood revitalization needs to recognize and address this pattern.

Comparison

Neighborhood revitalization is being practiced all over the country. Cities that have shown successes have been focused on achieving outcomes in four categories; image, housing market, physical conditions and resident participation. People are choosing or not choosing neighborhoods based on these consumer criteria for neighborhoods.

A desirable neighborhood has a positive image and attracts investment. New home owners, existing homeowners, businesses and government chose to make investments in neighborhoods where its image gives them confidence their investment is worthwhile.

The real estate market will reflect confidence in an ideal neighborhood. Investors will chose the neighborhood because they have confidence the property values will steadily increase. A desirable neighborhood will offer a variety of housing options for all income levels. This will help neighbors who want to, stay and invest, benefiting from increasing real estate market.

The physical conditions of a neighborhood are a direct reflection of pride and confidence. A desirable neighborhood would be capable of maintaining the property standards. Public spaces would be maintained and improved to signify an improving neighborhood.

Working together with residents, government and business a neighborhood will be able to compete with other neighborhoods for resources. Those resources could include, snow plowing, new streets, new businesses, home owners or positive attention. Residents will feel like they can manage their blocks and be comfortable being friendly with neighbors. Neighbors will feel safe and empowered to maintain standards of neighborly behavior.

Why

To affect any neighborhood, actions must be made to support choices that strengthen the neighborhood and its role in the community. “Create good reasons for people to make decisions that benefit themselves while producing positive results that serve the community” David Boelke. Successful community development strategies are based on the consumer principles of choice, confidence, competition and predictability.

In the light of these principles, activities will address the criteria that people use when deciding where to live. When a neighborhood betters its decision criteria of image, real estate market, physical conditions and social connectedness the impacts are increased property values and civic participation. This concept is free from only groups defined by their income and therefore can more easily focus on a community where people want to invest their time and money.