On April 13, 2018 we received notification of a rezone request at 3623 Fountain Avenue, in East Ridge. The Sweetbay Apartments. This arrived on the heels of the famous letter about the"red zone" and our Redevelopment Authority "fighting blight".
Sweetbay Apartments was not included in the "red zone" in spite of the obvious blight of a boarded up building that has been vacant for six years. It certainly was worth the time to get involved, considering the amount of rental property in this area, or all over East Ridge for that matter. It certainly was worth the time to get involved considering the crime in this area, or all over East Ridge for that matter.
Weeks have passed with genuine discussions about the intentions of the management company, the history of property taxes generated from this property, and the amount of crime in and around this property. Most importantly, citizens have voiced their concerns.
Our city attorney, Mark Litchford, took the time to research any viable option for a citywide "crime free lease addendum". The management company sent the Director of Operations, Russell Smith, to discuss concerns with citizens. Not all concerns were satisfied, not all concerns can be met. The process, in my humble opinion, has been productive. The condemned building is leveled. The absentee landlord is making himself available. Citizens are being heard.
Last evening the mayor, Brent Lambert, characterized the process "a circus". You may think me a clown, Mr. Mayor. However, I promise to do my research and be an informed "clown" with a voice.
Lesley Grant Bostain