What Makes a Quality Neighborhood?

More than a year ago (September 2009), the city council authorized a neighborhood study to address the tide of homes transitioning from owner-occupied to rentals. At the time, there was a sense of urgency about the issue and the council even considered a rental registration moratorium. 

That idea was nixed in favor of the study.  However, a consultant was not under contract to conduct the study until early 2010. Bonestroo, the planning firm that was selected (over three others), has been working on gathering demographic data on three defined areas. Facts like the number of 18-24 year olds in each neighborhood; the number of +65 year olds; family income, home ownership, police calls, properties sold in the last decade, and land values. 

QNI Study areas

The residents of Bemidji will have the opportunity on Thursday, October 14 to answer the question, "What makes a quality neighborhood."  The city is hosting an open house and planning meeting at the United Methodist Church, located at 9th and Beltrami in Bemidji. From the invitation:

The meeting will start at 6:00 pm with an open house with maps and other information, for informal viewing and discussion, followed at 7:00 pm by a short presentation, then we will open it up to hear from everyone about how to address our neighborhood issues.

If you ever wanted to complain about parties, parking, sidewalks, noise, and general neighborhood ickiness, this is your opportunity according to the invitation.  But it also says, "Be part of the solution." That means that there will be an opportunity (and an expectation) to share your good ideas.

I say, "The world is run by those who show up." That's why I'll be there. If you want to have a hand in improving your neighborhood, I hope you'll be there too.

QNI meeting. Thursday, October 14, 6:00pm, United Methodist Church, 9th and Beltrami.