Ronald Reichardt shares his concerns about dilapidated houses and the potential for arson during the March 27 meeting of the Jamestown City Council.
JAMESTOWN – Several members of the public were on hand for Monday Night’s Jamestown City Council meeting, with several speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting to share their concerns about the recent arsons in the city, along with fears that more could be on the way.
Four different residents from Spring St. spoke to the council to share their support for the $12 million Jackson Spring apartment, which is being proposed by CODE, Inc. to demolish 9 dilapidated and condemned houses and building a 40+ residence complex there for primarily physically disabled residence.
Ronald Reichardt of Spring St. said he lives across the street from two abandoned houses and is afraid they could be the next target for arson.
“We have an opportunity to tear down all this dilapidated housing. Good, bad or otherwise bring in beautiful new housing, and I wont have to look at this dilapidated stuff,” Reichardt said, adding that was very concerned last Friday night when a string of four arsons broke out near his home. “I want these houses down. They’re still open and its an open invitation for the next time – tonight, tomorrow or next week, it’s going to happen.”
In addition to voicing their support over the CODE proposal, the residents also voiced their concern over a letter the Gebbie Foundation had purportedly written and sent to state representatives, expressing opposition the Jackson Spring apartments. The residents felt that the Gebbie Foundation should remain focused on its mission of working to invest and improve the downtown, and not a residential neighborhood on the north side.
CODE has applied for state grant funding to help offset the cost of removing the blighted properties and building the proposed apartment complex. No decision has yet been made on whether or not the state will sign off on the grant.
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