Meetings summary show agreement on issues in Holyoke

Date: 7/21/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



HOLYOKE -- Put over 130 Holyoke residents at two meetings discussing their concerns about the Paper City and their hopes for its future and one might think there would be some surprises. According to Aaron Vega, one of the organizers behind the Community Conversations, the only real surprise was that "everyone agreed."

"There was a lot of agreement on what they want Holyoke to be and what the problems are," Vega told Reminder Publications.

The results of the two meetings conducted earlier this year have been released on the Web site operated by Citizens for the Revival and Urban Success of Holyoke (CRUSH) at http://crushonholyoke.org.

Vega said the fact that so many people came to a similar conclusion was "reassuring."

One of the principal conclusions is that participants want an "urban downtown," Vega said. He explained that means restoring historic buildings, rather than tearing them down and accepting a mixed income population.

Vega, who is running for an at-large city council seat, said that current city policies needs to be changed to reflect what is happening in the city and how to encourage re-development. He said, for example, that current zoning ordinances and their application reflect a reluctance to craft a "creative [development] agenda."

The city is changing, he said, with a new wave of newcomers. The new residents are in their mid-thirties and are part of a creative economy.

The report's executive summary reads in part: "This diverse group all agreed on a desire for a safe, clean, vibrant city that can provide job opportunities in addition to the human services here in the city. The theme of an urban center, not a dispersed downtown was clear, as was the need for entertainment and youth activities. More jobs, more restaurants, more 'things to do' was expressed clearly by all in attendance.

"It was strongly stated that the school system needs to be competitive and move toward a 100 percent graduation rate. There was discussion of a City Hall that needs to be more forward thinking and open. Through out both meetings individuals discussed the green advantages of our city and the need to market that aspect of our city to businesses both large and small. It was agreed upon by nearly all in attendance that the history and architecture of Holyoke is one of its strongest qualities and should be preserved. One of the most frequently heard analogies of Holyoke was that it's 'a little New York City here in the valley.' Utilizing and filling the mills and open spaces in downtown with market rate housing to create a diverse downtown was prevalent as was the need to address zoning laws that make redevelopment difficult.

"Over all, the desire to have a city we can all be proud of was clear. Better use of green spaces, a walk-able downtown with live/work loft spaces and better public transportation were all requests from the city. The obstacles we face as a city were also discussed and often race and class was the root of the barriers we face as a city. It was agreed that city government might not be able to fix all the obstacles but that they should lead the way to better relations within the community.

"The final theme that was overwhelmingly clear from the people of Holyoke was that they are ready; ready to work for the city, ready to have more conversations and ready to move in a positive direction. Our conversation was the first step in recognizing the need of our citizens to be included and empowered."

Vega hopes the information from the two community meetings can be part of the discussion this election year. The executive summary also includes the following questions that CRUSH organizers suggest voters ask the candidates:

• What ideas do you have for attracting "green" business and how would you go about implementing them?

• How can the city take better advantage of our assets (hydropower, mills, housing, etc.)? What is the first step?

• What are your plans for making permitting and planning easier for potential new businesses? Where would you begin?

• How do you plan on creating a successful school system and increasing the graduation rate?

• What steps do you plan on taking to close the cultural divide in the city? To positively increase community relations, bring people together and transcend the language barrier?

• What ideas do you have to include residents in the future of Holyoke?

• What ideas do you have to make downtown Holyoke more vibrant and a center for restaurants and shops? What would be your first step?

• What are your thoughts on the vacant lots and neglected parks and how to reclaim them? How would you begin?

• How do you plan on creating safer neighborhoods and getting drugs off the streets?

• What is your vision for Holyoke?

Vega said the executive summary would be delivered to all current members of the City Council.