Present: Sue Bovay, Elta Green, Judy Gregory, Paul Pineo, Stan Schwartzberg, Miriam Shapiro, Myra Buonocore
1. Pres. Sue Bovay reported that for the January 20th GPA General Meeting she is trying to line up Martin Edic, a GP neighbor and website designer for RDDC, to update the group on RDDC activities. She will also approach either Ann Chantreuil or Craig Jensen to report on the Grove/Gibbs housing project. Our February meeting and reception will be held at, and presented by, the Strong Museum. Possibilities for spring meetings include Rich Rosen from Mark IV developers discussing the Corn Hill waterfront project, a presentation by the City Forester, and/or a visit to the new RoCo Art Gallery (formerly Pyramid) on East Ave.
2. Treasurer Elta Green reported that after payment of $500 to reserve a table for the Susan B. Anthony Luncheon, $500 for a new art bench, and a $200 contribution to the YMCA Invest in Youth Program, GPA has a balance of $8763 in the bank.
3. Paul Pineo will host a meeting of the GPA Nominating Committee the evening of January 8th, to create the slate of officers for the coming year. He announced that Kim Pier has agreed to run the neighborhood picnic in Sept.
4. In John Lovenheim’s absence, Sue updated the group on Sector V activities. The Sector’s Action Plan Accomplishment Report has been completed and Sue has made correction suggestions regarding items relating to GPA. John has convened a steering committee in order to discuss topics relevant to the Sector, including how best to use the $100,000 matching grant from the City, which is supposed to be put to use for capital improvement and/or economic development projects. Members of the committee include Sue and Paul from GPA, the President and two reps from Corn Hill, Jonathan Davis from the YMCA, Susan Robertson from ESM, and a rep from RDDC.
Additionally, John and Sue met with J.D. Bonham and the Rev. Smith from Emanuel Baptist Church to discuss with them both the Sector’s new Action Plan and the Accomplishment Report in order to get them more involved in Sector activities. Since they are unable to attend Sunday meetings, it was decided that John would bring updates to them. It was decided that GPA’s responsibility to its constituents is to keep lines of communication open.
Beyond that, it is up to individuals and groups in the neighborhood to become involved when issues interest them.
5. Roz Goldman will check again with Rick McGrath about the creation of a plaque honoring the McQuays which should have been placed months ago.
6. Craig Jensen reported to Sue that four general contractors have responded to the request for bids for the Grove/Gibbs housing project. Jensen’s group will be meeting with bank officials and the low bidder on January 9th, after which they will be able to estimate sales prices. They are also meeting with realtors, including Marge Burgeson, to decide who will assist them in marketing the project to buyers. Construction should begin by the end of February or beginning of March.
7. The question was raised as to whether GPA should follow the lead of a resident in the Parks/Meigs Neighborhood who keeps a list of the “top 10” properties in his area which are not up to building code specifications.
These are passed to City officials who then send warning letters to the sites’ owners. It was felt that several of GPA’s dog owners could take on this responsibility for our area.
8. Paul will do a walk-around with Officers Tom Belcher and Graham Hyland who have agreed to identify areas in our neighborhood which could use motion-sensitive lighting. The City’s Carol Thomas will check on the costs of these items. The group asked if part of the Sector V $100,000 matching grant money should be earmarked for this type of lighting in commercial areas of the neighborhood.
9. Sue mentioned items of interest to the group as follows:
A. Costumed carolers from the ESM serenaded the neighborhood on Dec. 15th.
B. A package of Gloria Weyert’s cards will be presented to Betty Strasenburgh at the Jan. meeting in thanks for the wonderful job she did putting together this year’s Holiday Party at the ESM.
C. Miriam pointed out an article in the Rochester Business Journal which was very upbeat about the new management taking over Midtown.
D. Mayor Johnson, County Executive Doyle and several others will speak on “Steering Rochester” at an RDDC presentation on Jan. 30th. There is a charge of $35 for non-members to attend.
E. The problems facing a Performing Arts Center were outlined in a recent CITY Newspaper article.
F. Developer Bob Ducet has pulled out of the Cultural Commission’s Block L project.
G. The renovation of the Michael Stern Building for the Catholic Family Center is moving ahead nicely.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Gregory, Secretary