HomeMy WebLinkAboutletter against AdkinsCity of Little Rock
Attention: Eve Gieringer and Donna James
Department of Planning and Development
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72201-1334
Re: 3600 West 11th Street and 3604 West 12th Street
Rezoning Meeting September 18, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
As a property owner at 3521 West 11th Street we are opposed to any placement of an alcohol and
drug residential treatment facility with a 24 bed male and a 24 bed female dormitory. We have
lived here since 1970 as this was my parents home and several years ago they put it in my name
as I lived with them. I have 2 granddaughters that stay with me ages 7 and 13 and they do not
need any more exposure to this type of life more than they see already. Also my father is 94
years old and still lives here. He is alone in the daytime while I am at work and I know this
would put him in danger. Look how many sex offenders are located in other dormitories for
alcohol and substance abuse. This would put my granddaughters and other kids in the
neighborhood at risk.
We had enough drug traffic in this neighborhood and surrounding this area without a rehab
being put here. As statistics show most rehab people are just trying to get to a rehab house to
find the nearest crack house. Which I might say there are some around this area as I sure most
of you know.
We have several widow ladies that live in this neighborhood that would be put in danger. They
too have lived here over 30 years. They, too, are against it. It seems one of them has heard her
house has already been bought and they will move her to 10thstreet which she knows nothing
about.
Across the street is a Baptist Ministry Home for young people. This home receives young
children who are already afraid and this would put them more in jeopardy.
The false propaganda that has been put out about increasing value of your home and property
if the rehab center is built is not true. People that have sold their houses and are happy about it
is not true. People are happy in their houses where the new rehab center is suppose to be built.
This would mean that they would have to sell their houses or be forced to move because of the
rehab center.
We were told that the property (111h and Valentine or 3600 block of West 11th - northwest
corner) was owned by the group who are trying to rezone this area. This lot and house are still
above the city's requirements in reference to grass height (above the knees). The house has all
broken windows, a fallen in carport and high grass, shrubs. The city (Code Enforcement) has
placed signs on both lot and house but signs keep disappearing.
If you would look further north, south, east and west you will find there are full blocks of
vacant houses and vacant lots for this rehab dormitory to be built on. At the other locations no
one would have to move as these that have lived for over 30 years in their homes. Probably in
the surrounding areas we mentioned in the above (north, east, south and west) if anyone is
living near would be renters not 30 year residents.
Your consideration in this matter is urgent and this letter is sent to you to advise you that we
are opposed to this dormitory being built along the south side of West 11th Street between
Maple and Valentine Streets.
Also, we attended a meeting last month where there was a group come in and told us the city
wanted to improve 12th street corridor. They also talked about getting investors involved and
new people moving in. This would be great. However, I am sure if you build one more rehab
in this area you might as well forget trying to renew 12th street corridor and new people moving
in.
If there are people in this area saying they are not oppose to it I am sure they are the renters
thinking they will be moved to a better area. Homeowners do not want this rehab - enough is
enough. If you do not want any more flight from the city then the right thing to do is not let
this be rezoned for an alcohol and drug residential treatment facility.
Sincerely,
The Adkins and Aarons
3521 West 11th Street
Little Rock, AR 72204
cc - Mayor
The City Board Directors