Posted: April 28, 2009

Public Forum:

As a longtime Wauwatosa resident, I am encouraged to hear about the prospect of creating a Community Development Corporation to promote and advance the business community and neighborhoods around East Town Tosa.

CDCs, through their paid staff, engage in advocacy for the community and work to organize residents and provide opportunities to participate in community affairs. Their advocacy usually is confined to economic development issues, and their organizing usually focuses on strengthening the community base for their economic development projects.

Funding for a CDC is typically achieved through foundation grants, not taxes. Other desirable forms of assistance can include access to pro bono services of lawyers, architects, financial advisers and other local professionals.

CDCs can acquire blighted property as well as build and renovate residential and commercial structures. They provide financing and planning assistance to businesses, recruit businesses to the area and promote job development.

Most CDCs are controlled by area residents. The board of directors is typically made up of unpaid, community volunteers, concerned homeowners, renters, local business owners and representatives from local community organizations.

Neighborhoods in which leaders and residents are committed to improvement are a valuable resource to our city. Many interests of a CDC and local government are compatible. Both want to see a higher quality of life, rising home values, safe streets, localized business entities and perhaps some job opportunities. Active, effective organizations such as a CDC can make a neighborhood the "progressive urban community" our residents deserve.

 

John Sandvik

Wauwatosa