City officials and community members bumped heads in Harold O. Davis Memorial Baptist Church on Wednesday, Sept. 22. The event, led by Bishop Kermit L Newkirk, was yet another attempt to produce a clear solution to the multiple problems that the Logan area faces.
Crime, drugs, prostitution, illegal dumping, vermin and litter are among the issues brought up by concerned residents. None take precedence over a problem that has outraged community members for over 25 years: the 35 acres of vacant land that sit behind Newkirk’s church.
Two weeks before the most recent meeting, a gathering was held in the basement of the Baptist Church. There, Newkirk introduced the Logan Community Development Corp. He emphasized its importance as a way to revitalize the community. The CDC, headed by Cicely Peterson-Mangum, tried to establish itself as the go-to place for Logan residents. She spoke of the numerous projects that the CDC had organized, including lot clean-ups and a new tech-center for residents. She touched lightly on the “blighted” land that Newkirk had centered his meeting on.
At 7 p.m. on Sept. 22, Newkirk took the podium and announced “this is not a meeting, this is action.” He firmly declared: “We are going to see that things get done.” The audience applauded. Optimism was high.
Newkirk then handed the microphone off to the city officials. Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller took the stage. “It’s difficult for a council member to get to every block,” she announced, “the best thing we can do is help directly.” She stressed the importance of working together, taking charge in the smaller, manageable issues like litter and illegal dumping. She offered no solution for the vacant land.
Next, Cheryl Bullock, representing U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, took the podium. Bullock admitted she was largely unaware of Logan’s blight: “I came here tonight to further understand the problems of this area.” She assured the audience that the problems would be addressed. “Twenty five years is too long, 35 acres is too big,” she exclaimed confidently, “and you deserve better.” She insisted that the problems of Logan would be addressed in City Hall, “I will be back, I will be asking questions, I will be demanding accountability.”
Despite Bullock’s stern remarks, the crowd was unmoved.
District Police Capt. John McCloskey addressed public safety. “I’m not going to make promises I can’t keep,” he announced up front. “I am aware of the prostitution on Old York Road,” he admitted, “it’s embarrassing to me.” McCloskey stressed the importance of citizens being active in the community’s problems. He described how vital tips are for the 35th Police District and subsequently provided anonymous tip cards for the public to fill out.
Newkirk took back the microphone, promising the agitated audience questions for the city officials after the last speaker: The Logan CDC.
Cicely Peterson-Mangum stood before the audience and once more outlined her organization’s place in the community. “We are your neighborhood CDC,” she exclaimed. The audience grew quiet as Mangum went on to describe the various services that the CDC had set up. She ended her speech without mentioning the Logan Triangle.
The floor opened for questions. Residents demanded answers from their representatives. Donna Reed-Miller and Cheryl Bullock stumbled through ambiguous responses. The audience, discouraged, began to leave. Derek Green, representing Councilwoman Marian Tasco, offered the only plain facts. He explained how the task is more daunting than it seems. He compared the necessary job to compacting sand in a pale, only doing it over 35 acres, consequently a $48 million job.
The Logan CDC claimed that its presence is exactly what the area needs. Carla Robinson, the CDC’s program manager, said that Logan lacked a community organization prior to the current Logan CDC. She claimed that the CDC is bringing a “new energy” to the community. But the energy seems to be going to the wrong place. The primary concern of the community is clear: the vacant 35 acres of land. The CDC provides no answers.
In a separate interview, Newkirk expressed doubt in the Logan CDC’s ability to transform the community. He explained how a CDC does not have the ability to get done what needs to be done in Logan. CDCs don’t receive the funding that can fix the multi-million dollar project that Logan faces. Newkirk said that smaller problems and organizing community members is better served by a CDC.
One thing is clear. The “neighborhood CDC” has neglected its residents’ requests. Although funding might prevent the CDC from taking action, it is doing little to assemble an organized effort to combat the Logan Triangle, which is responsible for declining property values.
Logan needs a concrete plan for its soft soil. The only solid information on the matter was provided by Green, who said the issue would be further discussed at yet another meeting on Oct. 23. With that, Newkirk took back the microphone as the audience stood in disgust, he muttered sarcastically, “We’ve been waiting 25 years, I guess a few days don’t make a difference.”
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