New Haven Independent

Posted by: Alderman Greg Morehead | June 2, 2009 9:00 AM

Like I said in my statement above, this is definately a milestone for the community, but we cannot stop there. Everyone who had or has in an interest in reviving the Q house, now is the time that we have to come together and fundraise. Our goal(myself and residents)is to fundraise so that by the time that 6 month window is closed, we can go to the city along with the concerned citizens and others that had interest and say, we have X amount of money and here is our sustainability plan for the Q house. I also feel that fundraising and going to them with something is better than saying, here is our plan, but we do not have anything right now.
In 2007 when I first ran for Alderman, my mission was to get the center back open. For some time, alot of people did not believe me, but I had MANY meetings with the Mayor and City Hall concerning our plight and why there was such urgency to get the ball rolling. This is a great step in the right direction, but we have to UNITE and come together with one mission in mind;we will not rest until the community center is open and is self sustaining.
Like I said, whoever has or had an interest in this center, please be on the lookout as I am in the midst of putting together a meeting for the residents, the concerned citizens, and those across New Haven that have an interest. I would like for some people to talk about the significance of the building and others will talk about a strategy for what we're trying to do. We will also talk about the building itself and the situations that are at hand inside. If you would like to be at this meeting, please contact me and leave your contact information for me to get back to you.

Regards,
Alderman Greg Morehead
203.507.7766

Posted by: New Haven Raised | June 2, 2009 10:28 AM

I believe that this is a huge step for the black community as a whole. I say that because I believe that one major problem in the reopening of the Q-house is it being deemed the Community Center for one particular community. The Q-house should re-open with the mission of being a place for the youth from any community throughout the City of New Haven. When you attach a moniker to the name saying that it is geared toward the Dixwell Community, you deter youth from other neighborhoods from taking advantage of the possible resources that will be offered at the center. I believe that was one of the problems with the Q-house in the past. For example, if the "tribe" and "ksi" were beefing, as a youth I couldn't go to the Q-house to participate in activities knowingly being from "ksi". A feeling of safety needs to be instilled at the community center so that youth from all neighborhoods can take advantage of it. Why not, it's not just taxpayer dollars from the dixwell community that were used to pay the $225,000

Posted by: lance | June 2, 2009 11:21 AM

if every one of those 'thousands' of kids that stayed out of trouble and went on to lead productive lives because of the q house, as stated by Mayor Daniels in the article, gave 100 bucks to the q house the problem would be solved. but it doesn't happen that way. take obama for example. he got a free education (20k a year at todays prices) for many years at the most exclusive school in hawaii, yet he never gave them back a donation when he hit it big the best I can tell. ...

Posted by: anon | June 2, 2009 11:42 AM

Excellent news! With a reopened Q house and the fantastic new park that just opened next to Yale's community center on Ashmun, Dixwell will finally be closer to having its fair share of recreational facilities.

Posted by: Alderman Greg Morehead | June 2, 2009 1:22 PM

I would like to chime in with "New Haven Raised".
I agree with what you said concerning the building being for "all".
When speaking with residents before I got into office almost 2 years ago and me not being from New Haven, all of the residents that I spoke to mentioned the Q-House. From those conversations, they also stated that the the people at the QHouse were from all of New Haven, and sometimes from other cities in CT. That was great to hear that this center had people from New Haven and all over, and that there wasn't any problems. I think we all would be posting for days if i asked the question, when did the turf wars start? If we are able to get things handled with the Q House, do you think things will get back to the "good ole days", or is that out of the question? Has it been closed that long where those that are committing the problems are not old enough to see the significance of the center and they continue with the senseless crime? From what people are telling and what they told me, it was a safehaven for MANY residents...(when I say residents, I am talking about all of New haven residents)

Anyways, just for the record, we(the board) granted approval last night for the city to use UDAG(Urban development Action Grant)funds to make the purchase.

Regards,

Alderman Greg Morehead

Posted by: Seth | June 2, 2009 3:10 PM

Well done Alderman Morehead!

I agree Lance's statement about the folks who utilized the services of the Q-House to become the productive citizens that they are today. They should be the first to stand up and donate. First, they need to stand up and acknowledge the importance of and relevance of this historic institution to this city as well as their personal connection.

Many people have worked over the years to see the return of the Q-House. The rebuilding efforts should start with the committee that spearheaded the fight to save it. The people of New Haven will support the rebirth of the Q-House. We only need to get the word out. When I say "get the word out," I also mean to the people from New Haven who are living elsewhere, but have benefited from their Q-House experience.

I didn't grow up attending, but I worked there. There were kids from all over who received services from the Q-House. The rebuilding efforts are way overdue, and I would be honored to assist!

Posted by: bravecat00 | June 2, 2009 3:56 PM

It is great that there is a drive to utilize the old Q House building. Occupying abandoned buildings is the key to economic development in regards to boosting New Haven's economy and deterring crime. Abandoned building serve no good use. I am pleased to see the city is moving in the right direction and that New Haven Youth will once again have the Q House to go to!

Posted by: New Haven Raised | June 2, 2009 4:02 PM

Alderman Morehead, I think you need to take the time and speak with the younger constituients in your ward. Yes the Q-house was for all the city and neighboring towns in the 60's, 70's and maybe the 80's. But in the 90's not so much!We have to first address the state of our communities right now. You ask the question "has it been closed that long where those that are committing the problems are not old enough to see the significance of the center and they continue with the senseless crime?" Are you serious? Have you read the independent and recognized the ages of the youth that are participating in these crimes 15,16,17 yr old youth. I would have to guess that they were 9,10, or 11. What was significant to you at that age? Video games? toys? Please keep in mind that we are not living in a city where a majority of our families are growing up one generation to the next in the same neighborhood, affordable housing is a monster. A kid could be living on Dixwell for two years and be in Hill the next three. You have youth having altercations with each other within blocks of one another so if it is at all possible to get back to the "good old days", we have to put people in place that have a vested interest in the community and not there own personal gain. Believe me I believe that it is possible if we enlist the services of individuals that have been successful working with youth. Involve those who know how and can bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table from across the city. I appreciate the internal information that the article didn't privy us readers to. Per your statement "we(the board)granted approval last night for the city to use UDAG(Urban development Action Grant)funds to make the purchase" does that mean that other communities are not part of the city and we shouldn't be disappointed if our youth don't have access to the services to be rendered at the Q-house because my kids live in the Hill, it's grant money, are you saying the funds were secured solely for the Dixwell Community. Greg wake up! The good old days were the good old days I haven't read a report about youth being arrested because they had a fist fight. Final thought, I believe the dixwell community is a wonderful community I'm going to stop through some time this week and get some chicken wings, cheerios and hair grease all while in the plaza. Do you even shop at C-Town? If not your missing out!

Posted by: Alderman Greg Morehead | June 2, 2009 4:57 PM

I would just like to clarify my prior post; the board did not approve the sale as of yet. What happened last night at the meeting was the board approved the communication of this bill and assigned it to committee. So this is far from over and there is still a lot of work to be done.

Posted by: FacChek | June 2, 2009 6:35 PM

Morehead and others:
The problem here is fundamental usage. During the 60's and 70's the Q house satisfied the needs of Daniels and those that followed in that era.

During the 90's the "Q" no longer satisfied those earlier years requirements.( building character, self esteem, team player, gaining interpersonal skills/relationships between young males and females.

Most of the basic skills were first learned at home. Today those basic home skills are no present, therefore, any new Q house will have to be established around building skills which do not presently exist.

This brings us to the question: Are the past Q- house sympathizers living out their past, or do they want to step into the year of 2010 and design a new Q- house based on the needs of today's youth. Being mindful that today's youth have a very different view on their needs and reality.

First of all the current building does not meet the needs of the youth of today, just ask them!

Secondly, in order to meet the perceived needs it will take a lot more $$$ than the city is offering in any pay-off deal.
Why support a pay-off on a facility which does not meet the needs of today, just to satisfy the ideals of the past...? I think NOT...it won't work.

We should Remove The building with the past, similar to the coliseum and start over in a new image of the youth of today.

Posted by: Richard F. Jones | June 3, 2009 12:25 PM

This is great news. I am a recepiant of the Q house back in the day. It was a place in which strict discipline was enforced, but it was a place to also relax and have fun. I remember the days of going to Camp Holly Ridge in Guilford. I remember the staff, there was Mr Bill Douglas,Mr Watts,Mr Bunting and Mr.Frank Williams and his mom.I also remember the dances that were held. We all had a good time.

But as we now look towards the future of our community and children, I believe that the Q house
should be developed into The DIXWELL TECHNOLOGY CENTER and CENTER FOR THE ARTS. This can be developed in such a way that our youth can gain some technical skills and a technical education.

I place a lot of emphasis on technical skills,because I'm employed as an Architectural Cad (COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN). A lot of youth in neighborhood don't have these skills, and I believe that the technology center would be a great place to start. You see it was right there in New Haven that I received my start. As a child,my dad placed a lot of emphasis on math and mechanical drafting. I remember working for Wendall Harp as an architectural draftsman. It was an experience that I will never forget and it has helped me develop my career. How many youth can say that they have that type of experience?
It was my parents,grandmother(LOSSIE K. BROWN),staff of the Q house,leaders of the community that knew my parents that shaped and molded me to become a professional and educated black man.

I would love to pick up the paper on day and see that Wendell Harp has been selected to be the architect for the new Dixwell Q House. You the residents of the Dixwell neighborhood have the opportunity to make that happen. Let's put aside our diferences for once and lets think about and do what's right for the Dixwell Neighborhood.

At present I'm no longer living in New Haven,But I would be willing to help any way I could.

Bo Jones
Son of the Late Frances/Dwit Jones

Posted by: Willie Williams Jr | June 4, 2009 6:45 PM

Buying That Building For$225,00.00 Is Just One Thing. How Much Would It Cost To Bring It Into The Modern World?( Renovations). How Much Does A Swimming Pool Cost?.

Posted by: Mary | June 6, 2009 11:39 PM

I hope that Alderman Moorehead understands that "The Concern Citizens for the Q-House" is a committed group of people who have been working relentlessly for the past six years trying to re-open the Q-House doors.

This group has gathered valuable information regarding the communities vision for the Q-House through focus groups,town meetings,surveys and strategic planning sessions.

I think the saddest thing Alderman Moorehead could do is to not connect with this group and approach this problem as a united front.

What does Alderman Morehead know about the history of the Q-House. Sounds like the building was closed when he got here. He needs to get with some folks that know the history of the New Haven Black community and listen and learn.

I think it great that Alderman Morehead knows Ludacris and he was able to get him to visit New Haven. I think it is great that he has outside investors - SO WHAT! Sounds like he wants a music studio to me.

Let's get real. The group (regardless of who they are) has to prove to the community that their committment to re-opening the doors of the Q-House is long term. The group must be trustworthy and have a vision and plan that reflects the wishes of the community. Sounds like the Concern Citizen to me.

I applaud this group for their consistency in working on this problem. They have never dropped the ball. They have open the doors for other folks to become involved with their effort. They believe in their mission and have been working tirelessly towards the goal of re-opening the Q-House doors.

So, Alderman Morehead, let's not look to put feathers in our caps - remember solving this problem is going to take all of us working together on the same plan. You do not need to re-invent the wheel.

Posted by: Willie Williams Jr | June 9, 2009 4:27 PM

As Long As They Do-Not Repeat What Happened In The Past. Mismanagement, and aaaaaaaaaother Shananagins. How Can The City Buy The Building For $225,00.00?. Don't We Have Anyone Who Can Buy It?.