September 2002, Pulse Article
(reprinted with permission of Downtown Danville Inc.

West Downtown Neighborhood Association
It is always interesting to talk to people about the Renaissance Danville and the West Downtown area. Most folks listen with a combination of puzzlement and interest while I try to describe what I do and the resulting expectations.

It was a challenge for me in the earlier days occupying this position. I had to rely on the information I had read, on the conversations with the designers of the program both here in Danville and from Rock Island, and then form my own subsequent perceptions of what I thought I was supposed to be doing. I too had some doubts in the back of my mind. How can you fix up a few houses in a blighted neighborhood and expect a resulting change in attitudes and E.V.A.s?

While not diminishing the importance of the renovation efforts everyone is learning that "Renaissance" involves more than fixing up a few houses. One of the other effective avenues for neighborhood improvement is coming from the residents of the West Downtown Renaissance District themselves. Almost a year ago the residents formed the West Downtown Neighborhood Association. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. The Association president is John Cunningham, owner, manager and resident of the Colonial Apartments on the southeast corner of North and Pine Streets in the District.

Meetings typically include a speaker with a topic relevant to the neighborhood. Recent presentations have been by members of the Danville Police Department and Police Auxiliary Units about the institution of a Neighborhood Crime Watch program. By Gary Waterstradt from the City of Danville Planning Department to discuss the process and value of proactive code enforcement. Upcoming speakers will include Melody Ehrlich with information about the HALO Program and Michelle Young talking about Downtown Danville, Inc. and the improvements taking place over this past summer. Other meeting agenda items include discussions about ways to continue improving the neighborhood and about upcoming activities and events.

This past September saw a very successful West Downtown Neighborhood Clean-Up and Picnic Day. The District was divided into six areas. Teams armed with garbage bags and enthusiasm scoured their sectors for trash and debris. It was fun and encouraging to have residents stand at their front doors to ask what was going on, then to walk out, request a garbage bag and join the effort. The District looked great, and still today looks better than most areas of town. Cleanliness is contagious.

The next event being staged by the West Downtown Neighborhood Association is Renaissance Holiday, A Tour of Homes, Return to Christmas Past. In conjunction with Downtown Danville, Inc. and Vermilion Heritage Foundation the West Downtown Neighborhood Association is conducting a walking tour of eight or more homes in and around the Renaissance District. The event will be December the 14th 15th and 16th and promises to be both festive and fun. Advance tickets will be available at locations to be announced for $10 each. Profits will go the Fischer Theater Renovation Fund. Watch Michelle Young's column next month for more details.

Other Renaissance District news includes the recent purchase of 310 Oak Street for the next Renaissance renovation project. Various selected improvements will continue at 112 Pine Street. The purchase of another renovation project house is being studied in the 400 block of Oak Street.

If you have any comments or questions regarding the West Downtown Neighborhood Association or would like to join the Association, please contact John Cunningham, President of the West Downtown Neighborhood Association at 431-3084.

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