Graffitti

[Brian Leach]

I can see suing them after every other avenue has been exhausted.  I know 
first hand about having a landlord, or more appropriately, a slumlord, 
refusing to do anything about an increasingly bad situation.  I've spoken to 
this "landlord" twice since May (once at great length) and both times I was 
told that he was aware of the "situation" and I was assured that the 
residents were being given a 30 day eviction notice immediately.  The most 
recent was nearly 3 months ago - July 4th in fact - and these wonderful 
residents are still there.  These people had originally signed a 1 year 
lease back in July 2005, so they are now on a month-to-month lease from what 
I've been told.  I've tried speaking to the police both in person and over 
the phone - they've been called 7 times to this particular house since May - 
and anything I say falls on deaf ears.  The same situation with neighborhood 
services.   And unfortunately, I don't think I would have any luck with 
getting ASU to buy and rent out this particular house.  I'm not sure I'd 
want that anyway.

Brian

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jo Clute" <josepi at doitnow.com>
To: <central-city-discuss at gcna.info>
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 8:34 PM
Subject: Re: Graffitti


> sue them?!!!!   Andrea, how bout you just go and talk with them?  They all
> want change, I HAVE talked with them (most of them).  But they also don't
> want to run a
> losing business.  there are factors at work in this location that we may 
> be
> unaware of.  the WHOLE section needs to change not just one of those 
> places.
> EVERYTHING needs to change-the entire culture.  Its going to take work. 
> We
> tried neighborhood services.  We tried calling the police.  We tried
> rehabbing the places.  But if you just do a little here and there its NOT
> going to stick.   I have been working on a solution for over a year.  I 
> KNOW
> there is a way and suing them isn't going to change anything.  Its just
> going to make it more difficult on all of us.  If we take the effort that 
> we
> would have to FIGHT them and use it to talk with them and help them, we 
> can
> can alter this area permanently.  My solution is to get ASU in there to 
> help
> me build something marvelous.  This will make this area "popular" and in
> turn attract a different clientelle.  The owner on the North Side already
> said he would give artsits/students free rent. But if I was a student, you
> couldn't pay me enough to live there in preset day conditions The owners
> want this changed too.
> Why do we always have to fight our neighbor when there is  a problem, I
> don't get that attitude.  It mistifys me.  That is contra-neighborhood in 
> my
> opinion.  I stopped myself from building those same things.  I could have
> already done it and contributed to the problem.  But I didn't.  And now I
> have positive solutions which are possible but heading straight to a 
> public
> hearing to condemn your neighbor or straight to the courts to condemn your
> neighbor with out using diplomacy first to find a win/win solution is just
> rediculous politics.  I don't know if my solution will be implemented but
> its in their hands and they are writing a proposal as we speak.
>
> I really do envision a colorful, landscaped, pet friendly area full of
> artistic culture that we can all enjoy.  Most of those buildings are sound
> brick structures and can be beautified with paint and people.   Its going 
> to
> take a lot of work and I have taken a lot of approaches and one of them is
> eventually going to work.  But the bottom line is that those investors do
> not want this anymore than we do.
>
> These owners are not making money (the owner on the North Maybe) they
> barely break even.  Everytime a tenant leaves so does the carpet, the
> appliances, and most of the windows, Sometimes this is more profitable 
> then
> having them sit vacant.  Also, I know a few of the owners tried to sell
> their buildings and couldn't because of how messed up they are.  A few of
> the owners are very "green" and didn't know what they got themselves into
> it.  Some are out of state.  How do I know all of this?  Because last 
> year,
> I spent 10 hours searching for each and every owner, calling them, leaving
> messages, and finally getting a hold of them.  There are some complexities
> that we don't have a handle on.  But either way, it needs to change.
>
> Suing is NOT the answer.  Calling the police over and over might make 
> little
> changes but the minute someone lets up it will happen right over again.  I
> have even been cited for them parking on my lot...This area is a big 
> problem
> and its going to take a big solution.
>
> ASU will be excited to hear that everyone will back their efforts.  I hope
> this is the case
>
> J
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <andrea.delgaldo at highstream.net>
> To: <central-city-discuss at gcna.info>
> Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 4:43 AM
> Subject: Re: Graffitti
>
>
>> Aaron,
>>
>> You might want to mention this to Off. Smith. I believe that in the past
>> the
>> City has tried to work with the landlord on improving these properties. 
>> If
>> memory serves, the apartment complex to the south was granted money by 
>> the
>> city
>> for improvements. After the improvments were made, the property was
>> quickly run
>> down again and sold to another owner and the cycle just continued. I'm 
>> not
>> sure
>> about the property to the north. If there is enough crime and blight the
>> city,
>> through the Police Dept, will proceed with the abatement process. Also, 
>> if
>> there have been arrests on the property of "victimless" crimes (drug
>> use,prostitition, etc.) then I believe the neighborhood can actually sue
>> the
>> landlord in small claims court for the dertioration in the quality of 
>> life
>> in
>> the community. I can't remember the # of the law, but will look it up if
>> you
>> are interested. We've used it in the past and won, but never collected 
>> any
>> money. The problem is the title on these properties keeps changing hands,
>> so
>> the process is never completed. Perhaps the city has found a way around
>> that
>> now.
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>>
>> Andrea
>>
>>
>> Quoting thisrocks at mac.com:
>>
>>> I believe that we must first try "optimism" and hope for the best. If
>>> the owners of the run-down apartments do not make serious effort in
>>> upgrading the properties in order to attract a renters at least two
>>> steps up the ladder, then together we will have to put another kind
>>> of pressure on them - something like "get out."
>>>
>>> I'm pretty sure that ASU would do a survey of the area and recognize
>>> that a problem exists with the existing run-down apartments - and
>>> perhaps help pave the way for something better. What do you think
>>> Jody? If ASU does back your project, do you think their support would
>>> be that strong?
>>>
>>> Does anyone know of other instances (in Arizona or elsewhere) where a
>>> university has strong-armed (ok, maybe not the best word) another
>>> property owner to "shapeup or get out?"
>>>
>>> -Aaron
>>>
>>> On Sep 23, 2006, at 8:57 PM, Wayne Murray wrote:
>>>
>>> A comment from the evil landlord.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The owners bought those places almost like new.  They were "allowed"
>>> to be run down.  Anyone smart enough to have sufficient capital to
>>> purchase them is smart enough to figure out how to keep them in good
>>> condition.  If not they should not be in the rental business for
>>> their own sake.  It they are and let them go then they should not be
>>> in the rental business for "our" sake.  Airlines don't let their
>>> planes fall from the sky, restaurants don't poison their customers?
>>> These owners take money each month from the people that live there,
>>> the relationship is satisfying to "both" or it would not exist.
>>> These are individuals who know how to rub two nickels together; they
>>> don't care and are not in the investment for the long term.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> They and their apartments are sick, and when they both cough the
>>> neighborhood gets ill.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I support Jo and her vision and project, however do not envy her if
>>> she thinks these persons can become partners in that vision.....they
>>> don't see it, can't see it, and they never will.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <image001.jpg>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: central-city-discuss-bounces at gcna.info [mailto:central-city-
>>> discuss-bounces at gcna.info] On Behalf Of ktoneal at cox.net
>>> Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2006 6:22 PM
>>> To: central-city-discuss at gcna.info
>>> Subject: Re: Graffitti
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jo,
>>>
>>> I just feel the need to point out that instead of condemning the
>>> owners of the apartments you chose instead to talk to them about a
>>> possible solution.  I just think that this type of behavior deserves
>>> applause. So I applaud you!
>>>
>>> Is there anything the rest of us can do to help with the solution?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> And Ruth, it is nice to see you back. We appreciate the info.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---- Jo Clute <josepi at doitnow.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>  > Ruth,
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > I am going to use your message as a segway if that's ok.  I own
>>> the vacant
>>>
>>>  > property smack dab in the middle of those barracks type apts.  The
>>> crime
>>>
>>>  > there is rampant and the owners of these properties are durressed
>>> about the
>>>
>>>  > situation as well.  I am working on a project to turn this section
>>> of Oak
>>>
>>>  > into student/artist housing.
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > But doing so is where the trouble lies.  I have been working on
>>> and off
>>>
>>>  > this project for over a year and it has been a lot more difficult
>>> than I had
>>>
>>>  > anticipated.
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > HOWEVER,  I met with ASU college of Architecture just  last week
>>> and they
>>>
>>>  > are in the process of accepting that section (my property) as one
>>> of their
>>>
>>>  > Urban Workshops.  ASU comes with a LOT of PR which would generate
>>> interest
>>>
>>>  > in this section and hopefully pull the artists/students into this
>>> section.
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > I have talked with most of the owners and they are willing to do
>>> whatever it
>>>
>>>  > takes to convert this section from where it is.  They can't attract
>>>
>>>  > different tenants and it seems to be an endless cycle.  Most of
>>> the crime in
>>>
>>>  > Coronado streams from this section to the rest of the neighborhood
>>> via Oak,
>>>
>>>  > especially when they head towards the Sunshine Market.
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > Anyway I think the grafitti in this area is indicative of a much
>>> greater
>>>
>>>  > problem that needs to be handled at its core level.
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > Until then, I keep a can of Kilz and spare exterior paint for when
>>> the alley
>>>
>>>  > side of my house gets tagged as it seems to happen seasonably.
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > Welcome back to the list, we've been wondering where you've been :-)
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > Jody
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > ----- Original Message -----
>>>
>>>  > From: "Ruth & Rusty Rapp" <paris4545 at cox.net>
>>>
>>>  > To: <central-city-discuss at gcna.info>
>>>
>>>  > Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2006 3:51 PM
>>>
>>>  > Subject: Re: Graffitti
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  >
>>>
>>>  > > There has also been a lot of graffitti lately near those ghetto
>>> apartments
>>>
>>>  > > at 15th St. and Oak (SE corner). There are even a couple of
>>> "blank" signs
>>>
>>>  > > on
>>>
>>>  > > the property itself that are covered in it. I have reported this to
>>>
>>>  > > Graffitti Busters a couple of times...they've painted over the
>>> crap, but
>>>
>>>  > > it
>>>
>>>  > > soon reappears, of course. How easy for the tenants, they just
>>> have to
>>>
>>>  > > step
>>>
>>>  > > right outside their doors, spray paint can in hand!
>>>
>>>  > >
>>>
>>>  > > I personally would have liked to see those apartments TORN DOWN.
>>>
>>>  > >
>>>
>>>  > > Ruth
>>>
>>>  > >
>>>
>>>  > >
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> --Note--
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>> position of the Greater Coronado Neighborhood association.  This e-mail
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>> editorial directive from the Greater Coronado Neighborhood Association.
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>
>
> _______________________________________________
> --Note--
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> Be sure to change the recipient of the email if you do not want to post
> to the central-city-discuss list.
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> --Disclaimer-- 
> The messages exchanged on this list in no way reflect the official
> position of the Greater Coronado Neighborhood association.  This e-mail
> list is maintained by an outside source, with no financial tie, or
> editorial directive from the Greater Coronado Neighborhood Association.
>
> To maintain your subscription, visit http://www.gcna.info/list
>