A group of Westminster residents and city officials concerned about drugs and crime along Pennsylvania Avenue will hold its first meeting tonight to galvanize support for a cleanup and revitalization effort.
Known as the Lower Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative, the group hopes to develop a plan to address a myriad of problems - including run-down buildings and trash - on the primarily residential street from Union Street to north of Main Street.
About 25 residents and city officials - including Council President Damian L. Halstad and Councilmen L. Gregory Pecoraro and Roy L. Chaivacci - are expected to attend the meeting at 7 p.m. at the firehouse on John Street.
Unveiled at the Common Council's meeting May 13, the initiative aims to tackle drug use, prostitution, property maintenance code violations and other issues. Property values in the area have dropped, residents say.
"I think it's a vitally important meeting. It gives the official [affirmation] for citizens to retake town," said Carter L. Clewes, a Main Street homeowner who represents Drug Action '02. The group supports public protest of what it considers intolerable conditions from drug infestation.
"This is the beginning of very definite changes on Pennsylvania Avenue. It's the beginning of it being the arts and boutique district it needs to be," he said, referring to his group's proposal to rehabilitate the neighborhood as an arts district.
Halstad said he hopes a wish list will emerge from the meeting, including suggestions of how the initiative might tap state, local and private funding.
Clewes would like tonight's group to break up into subcommittees to tackle matters such as economic development, rental problems and homeowner issues.
He said he would like to see incentives offered to police officers to live on the block, which would give residents a sense of security and members of the police force more stake in the area.
Members of the initiative's advisory group include former Councilwoman Rebecca Orenstein and residents Tom Smith and Josephine Velasquez.