Allan Appel Photo
The city moved forward this week on a plan to acquire the troubled Dwight Garden Co-op and work with tenants to find someone to repair the ailing housing development — ideally before winter sets in.
The City Plan Commissioners Wednesday night voted to authorize the city to take over the 80-unit development if it’s foreclosed on by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Click here and here for previous stories about how Bridgeport-based developer Garfield Spencer promised to repair the 1960s low-income cooperative development at 99 Edgewood Ave., and then failed to do so, as residents have endured neglect during last year’s snowy winter.
Only about 27 of the 80 units are currently occupied.
In the most recent development Superior Court Judge Michael Maronich ruled the city cannot move ahead with foreclosure, at least not now.
That leaves Livable City Initiative (LCI) Director Erik Johnson with a plan to acquire the property from HUD should it take action. HUD holds a “reverter deed” on the property and could foreclose.
Wednesday night’s vote, which was unanimous, authorizes the city to acquire the property from HUD, should HUD be able to re-possess it.
“Essentially going back to square one,” opined City Plan Commission Chair Ed Mattison.
If it forecloses, HUD has agreed to turn the property over to the city. HUD and LCI would then work together to form a committee to find a responsible developer.
According to City Plan documents, LCI and HUD have established the Dwight Review Committee to be composed of the following members: “two alderpersons (including the alderperson from the 2nd Ward) and two residents of Dwight Gardens, one LCI board member, the executive director of a local non-profit and two city representatives. The committee would aid in the selection of the new re-developer.”
I’d like to see this property placed in the hands of someone who’ll be responsible this time around,” said Ward 2 Alderman Frank Douglass
“I wish we could guarantee it,” said Mattison.
He asked if Douglass supports the authorization.
“Absolutely” Douglass replied.
In the meantime, the winter is on its way.
As a resident of the area, I realize how important it is to either rehabilitate or redesign this housing, both to keep these homeowners in the neighborhood and to maintain the residential character on Edgewood Avenue opposite the Amistad Academy.
The housing further up the block has deteriorated in places, making Dwight Gardens survival even more important.
Homeowners are more invested in their area than are most tenants. People like Greg Smith who walk the streets and have good contacts with local people and the police are irreplaceable.
I hope the committee will be open to working with other neighborhood groups for a successful solution.