Southpinellas: Poor areas need steady commitment

A Times Editorial

Poor areas need steady commitment

Four years ago, in the aftermath of racial disturbances, St. Petersburg Mayor David Fischer made a commendable commitment to revitalize some of the city's most neglected neighborhoods, which he aptly termed Challenge areas. A recent examination by Times reporters Bryan Gilmer and Leonora LaPeter shows that the goals Fischer set probably were overly ambitious.

But just because the anticipated turnaround has not come at the promised pace is no reason for city administrators to abandon the effort and retreat into the long-discredited notion that prosperity will "trickle down" to the least prepared and less fortunate in our city. Economic development is one of the most difficult issues facing any modern city. Though progress in several areas is evident, the challenge identified by Fischer remains. The city should stick to a long-term commitment to meet it.

It is unfair to say that the mayor's program has accomplished nothing. Fischer's support of the Police Department's reforms has significantly improved relations between the Challenge communities and law enforcement. New trees and curb cuts may be considered minor, but they have improved the aesthetics of aging neighborhoods. New pools and libraries will make the areas more livable. But it is clear that many problems are yet unsolved, largely because current efforts have lacked coordination and focus.

Regardless of whether Fischer chooses to seek another term -- and he has signaled that he will -- he should use his remaining time in office to help build an infrastructure that allows the Challenge areas to keep growing. And future mayors and councils should be prepared to build on that foundation.

Fischer's personal leadership has been important, but progress will require a broader and more focused commitment. Here are some suggestions:

Build a constituency for change. Compared to its state-funded cousin, Front Porch Florida, which is trying to encourage economic growth in some of the same areas, Challenge is more of a top-down than a grass-roots program. In his eagerness to leave his imprint on the Challenge project, the mayor largely relegated input from community leaders and residents to a quarterly advisory council. A more hands-on board -- which makes a special effort to include business people in the community -- could help city staffers set an agenda and and see it through.

Invest in staff. Two high-level jobs in the city's economic development department are vacant. At least one should be filled with a person whose sole job is to focus on the Challenge communities. The city already has taken one good step by adding a planner to its neighborhood staff with expertise in urban renewal.

Focus marketing. An inventory of data the city already collects could be used to market to prospective new businesses and help existing ones. When Denver leaders set up a marketing office to promote vacant buildings and lots to commercial developers, they were able to turn their city center around. More focus also should be directed to luring businesses already established in the region, rather than placing long-shot hopes on getting businesses from across the country. It also pays to look at whether zoning inhibits growth in the Challenge Zone.

Improve housing. The city has had some success with groups such as Neighborhood Housing Services. They should build on the programs that work and market them broadly to boost home ownership in the area. Better housing stock makes any neighborhood more attractive and commerce-friendly. The city should make more small grants available that let homeowners fix up older houses in Challenge communities. Tax breaks can entice landlords to upgrade rental housing. Cities can provide incentives for developers to build infill housing as well.

Target Challenge funds. Much of the Challenge area lies within a federal Enterprise zone, but records show that most business beneficiaries have set up shop downtown rather than in the Challenge areas. Perhaps narrower guidelines can be created to steer potential businesses farther south. And perhaps more of the money could be used to support existing enterprises as well. Some cities have dedicated all their private bond proceeds to such projects for several years. The City Council could also explore the feasibility of a tax increment financing district that includes downtown and the Challenge areas.

Mayor Fischer deserves credit for focusing the city's attention on a challenge that had been too long ignored. But much remains to be done to translate those good intentions into permanent progress. The challenges posed by urban districts are often difficult, but with coordinated commitment from all segments of the community, they are not intractable.