Flags, Porch Lights, and Neighborliness

Last night David J. Boehlke, a neighborhood revitalization, spoke at City Hall. From the Leader-Telegram:

Fixing crime and repairing houses and streets won't treat neighborhoods' long-term problems, David J. Boehlke, a revitalization expert, told a dozen residents Wednesday night.
...
But Boehlke said people spend too much energy fighting. Instead, they should work on putting up neighborhood flags, installing porch lights and getting to know their neighbors. The flags help identify where one neighborhood ends and another begins. Porch lights make a street look more welcoming. These kinds of changes will help make the community look more appealing to outsiders, including home buyers.

What do you think? Are flags and porch lights the answer? If not, then what? And never mind answers, what's the question – what exactly needs improving in Eau Claire's neighborhoods?

Posted by Karline

Comments

[Donald Ross]

I agree with Boehlke. You can't tell me that Americans don't like flags.

Also, here's an interesting talk on revitalization:
http://ted.com/index.php/talks/james_howard_kunstler_dissects_suburbia.html

[crispinpierce]

I participated in the meeting with Mr. Boehlke (an Eau Claire native), and came away with these main points:

---Our town has some wonderful features (Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers, Half Moon Lake, Phoenix Park, some beautiful historic homes and buildings).

---We need to create "identities" for our town and neighborhoods.

---Revitalization success will come with public involvement, particularly postitive ideas from new participants.

---One-way streets don't promote a comfortable walking/shopping/congregating environment.

We have a great town that now needs attention and investment in a strong, appealing city core.

[Compassionate Badger]

I think we need to start building smaller houses, and encouraging the construction of more community spaces--parks, community gardens, foutains, etc. Sure flags and lights are nice, but they don't take you off your porch so you can begin a conversation with someone.

Maybe the question is "How do we make the local more communal?"

[Jim Olson]

We do all of the above and the things Mr. Boehlke said we shouldn't worry so much about- namely we work to solve some of the many underlying socio-economic and public safety issues that are part of
the process of a growing city.

[jeremy]

who will sponsor the "Design a Neighborhood Flag" contest?

[RUHavinALaff?]

Better yet, who will sponsor the "Give the Neighborhood Its Official Name" contest?

[Bill Benson]

Five simple paths to improve and retain the quality of our city:
1. Maintain streets-- including the street edges. Too many have deep ruts hostile--and dangerous to bikers.
2. Have city sponsor more sessions leading to pro-active involvement with neighborhood aassociations.
3. Have UWEC graphic design majors concentrate on neighborhood identities with appropriate symbols and renaming as needed. The designs could then be converted to flags attached to light poles within neighborhoods, as seen downtown.
4. Have public officials take turns during Saturday's market hearing what residents are thinking.
5. Promote through City Hall, an incentive for more tree planting on properties--especially those on rental properties.