Advantix advances on Sycamore Springs
Also, library offers texting service; Solidarity hosting NW Booster car wash; Bona Vista earns top certification
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Advantix Corporation, the development entity for the Kokomo Housing Authority (KHA), had land for a new housing project approved for rezoning at 3109 W. Sycamore St. during the June 13 Kokomo City Planning Commission meeting at City Hall.
The contentious meeting brought out more than 200 westside Kokomo residents to remonstrate against the proposed re-zoning. Advantix, the Evansville corporation that was picked to be the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) consultants for the KHA properties, had proposed building a 50-plus unit subsidized housing project at the property, which will be known as Sycamore Springs.
On June 6, representatives of the KHA and Advantix failed to get a parking variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals for the proposed site. This week, after adjusting the plans for the number of units, Advantix Broker and Business Development representative Brandon Shields stood before the commission and the packed council chambers to present the case for rezoning the Sycamore property from low industrial to M3 large scale multi-family residential.
Penny Snyder, a representative of the homeowners associations of Willow Ridge Lake, Doral Park West, Villas West, and other westside neighborhoods then presented the commissioners a petition to deny the zoning change, questioning the location and logic behind the new project.
Noting that at the BZA meeting the remonstrators had presented the same petition to the zoning board, Snyder essentially repeated the group’s talking points, “According to the article regarding the RAD program, the idea is to revitalize blighted areas in the core city. This property is not in the core of Kokomo, and it is far from blighted. It is essentially a quiet, peaceful area with a lot of wildlife.”
Snyder added, “This type of (subsidized) housing typically requires more calls for service from police, deputies, and other first responders.”
Snyder also quoted the petition in claiming that property values of the neighboring houses and condominiums would be negatively affected by the Advantix development and that “We would like to keep this neighborhood the quiet haven that we all love.”
Repeated by Snyder and other remonstrators were the lines from the movie “Field of Dreams.”
“Build it and they will come. It has become a calling card for the city of Kokomo. Sadly, many from Chicago and Detroit and elsewhere have also heard this call,” added Snyder.
Brian Caldwell, another representative of the group, claimed that Advantix had changed the number of units at the Sycamore site from 50 to 48 “to further avoid any (negative) votes from the BZA.”
“This is exposing the main goal of this project,” said Caldwell. “Not the well-being of residents, but the desire at all costs for Advantix to gain a foothold in this unblighted and well-kept area on the west side.”
As many in attendance spoke against the re-zoning and the new project in general because of its purported lack of sidewalks and distance from grocery stores, there were some who spoke in favor of the location of the low-income housing units.
Realtor and former Howard County Commissioner Paul Wyman noted that another complex with subsidized living spaces, Autumn Trace, actually borders the Willow Ridge Lake and Villas West properties,
“In my career as a Realtor, I have never had anyone tell me they would not live on Village Drive or Mirage Drive because of subsidized housing at Autumn Trace,” said Wyman. “My commission on this property will be donated to this community to help those that are less fortunate.”
That statement garnered some applause, but the crowd then reacted with boos at Wyman as he stated, “What you see on TV is what drives the perception of people who live in subsidized housing,” said Wyman.
The resulting outburst caused plan commission director Greg Sheline to remind the crowd that Wyman had the floor.
“There are people who have come to our community for a better life,” said Wyman. “The very residents we are talking about today are members of our community. I’m afraid that the message that is being sent out tonight is that it’s ok for you to live in our community, but this is where you will live.”
A very emotional KHA Chief Executive Officer Derick Steele finally stated, “To think for one second that we at the housing authority will put people in a position that would harm them, that we at the Housing Authority are intentionally doing a money grab, or allowing someone else to do a money grab, quite frankly is offensive. Our residents will have access to amenities and resources. The need right now is housing; sustainable, livable housing.”
Steele also went on to say that Garden Square, the Housing Authority property on Hoffer Street built in the 1930s, is unsalvageable.
“It is impossible to rehabilitate those units for less money than what we are putting into private equity for the new projects,” Steele said.
After close to two hours of remonstrations, the commission voted 5-3 to approve Advantix’s zoning change for the property. Commission members Misha Jefferson, Tyler Graves, Jon Pyke, Tina Durham, and Matt Grecu voted in favor of the rezoning. Cathy Stover, Danielle Rule, and Kelly Barker voted against. Board president Mike Besser did not have to vote as the total was not tied.
The project now goes to the Kokomo Common Council on July 26 for final approval.
KHCPL offers text messaging service
The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library is proud to offer a new, free service to parents and caregivers of children 5 years old and younger, aimed at preparing children for kindergarten.
The service, called TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten, sends two text messages each week suggesting activities that parents and caregivers can easily incorporate into daily routines with their children. The service also notifies parents of free activities and services at the library. Parents can sign up by texting TALK to 75547 or visiting www.texttolearn.com.
Ellen Clark, KHCPL children’s outreach librarian, said she knows parents will find value in everything TALK has to offer.
“We are so excited to offer TALK to KHCPL parents and caregivers,” Clark said. “We know parents lead busy lives. This new service provides quick, easy ways to engage with children and help them learn.”
TALK is derived from the research-based program Every Child Ready to Read, which promotes five practices to build essential pre-reading skills: reading, singing, talking, writing and playing. Each message begins with one of the five practices and details an activity parents can use to help their child develop early literacy skills, pre-math and social emotional skills. The goal is to reach parents who may not otherwise have the time or the ability to attend library programs.
The technology platform to distribute the messages is being developed by the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services and materials to promote the service will be available to libraries through the Library of Michigan and Indiana State Library. HighScope Center for Early Education Research and Evaluation helped ensure messages were aligned to a child’s development and will be conducting an evaluation of the project.
Solidarity hosts Northwestern Boosters car wash
Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union proudly supports the Northwestern Boosters’ and Senior Football Players’ Car Wash as they raise funds for new football equipment.
When Coach Robert Patchett joined the Northwestern Tigers football program, he implemented a leadership/mentoring program requiring seniors to create and implement community fundraising and outreach programs. This year, nine seniors, Jacob Benge, Thomas Canady, Gabriel Felix-Craig, Cameron Davis, Alec Fourez, Garrett Jolliffe, Jonathan Keeney, Owen Peelle and Terry Warnock, along with the Northwestern Boosters, are having a car wash to raise money for new equipment on Sat., June 17, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union, 214 N. Dixon Road.
Amanda Shoultz, a Northwestern Booster, said, “This is a great opportunity for these seniors to give back to the football program before moving on from Northwestern. Coach Patchett leads these young men in football practices and games while understanding the importance of instilling life and leadership skills beyond the field. The car wash is a great way for the team to be together again and do something great before moving on.”
Vehicles will be washed for $10/vehicle, and the boosters and team are accepting tips. For more information, contact Amanda Scholtz at 765-271-5849. More information about Northwestern Tiger Football on Instagram or Twitter.
Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union is a financial cooperative that requires membership. Individuals can join Solidarity if they are a family member of an existing Solidarity member or live, work, worship, or attend school in the following counties, in addition to businesses and other legal entities located in the following counties: Howard, Tipton, Miami, Cass, Carroll, Clinton and White.
Bona Vista earns top certification
Bona Vista’s Early Childhood Program is once again named a Paths to QUALITY Level Four. After the most recent audit, Bona Vista’s Early Childhood Program passed with no concerns and is still performing as expected to maintain a level four. Paths to Quality is Indiana’s Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System that is a voluntary program for childcare centers.
“Paths to QUALITY gives families an easy to recognize tool for selecting a childcare program,” said Early Childhood Director Bailey Mazwell. “Each level builds on the foundation of the previous one, resulting in significant quality improvements at each stage and in national accreditation at the highest level. The system validates childcare programs for ongoing efforts to achieve higher standards of quality and provides incentives and awards for success.”
The four different levels include Level One: Health and safety needs of children met, Level Two: Environment supports children’s learning, Level Three: Planned curriculum guides child development and school readiness, and Level Four: National accreditation (the highest indicator of quality) is achieved.
“We are one of four centers in Kokomo that have the Level 4 status with Paths to QUALITY and the only non-profit center,” said Maxwell. “Our longstanding success with maintaining this level is because of our amazing team that lives and breathes the Paths to QUALITY expectations, not just in the weeks leading up to the site visit. The teachers and support staff do amazing work every day for the children and families in our program.”
Bona Vista’s Early Childhood program takes pride in participating in the Paths to QUALITY program. It is an inclusive program that provides services to all children and families no matter their needs or means. Every child deserves to be in a high-quality program, and Bona Vista’s Early Childhood team works hard to provide this to the community.
Bona Vista’s Early Childhood program looks forward to maintaining a Paths to QUALITY Level Four for years to come. If you are interested in learning more about the Bona Vista Early Childhood Program, please call 765-457-8273.