Home > Video Channel > Rebuilding Neighborhoods through Public/Private Partnerships

Rebuilding Neighborhoods through Public/Private Partnerships

Bob kicks off Season 2 of Bob Vila in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he meets with Askia Aquil of St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services to talk about the upcoming project in Bartlett Park, a neighborhood that is being revitalized through partnerships between the neighborhood, residents, SPNHS, and Bank of America. Aquil explains how this classic Florida neighborhood of substantial homes was built in the 1920s as winter houses that were closed up in the summer. Eventually, the burdens of maintenance and repair made them too costly for their distant owners and they were abandoned. Boarded, abandoned properties and overgrown lots gave way to drug traffic and crime. SPNHS has worked together with the residents to regain the neighborhood, mostly through first-time homeownership that is meant to last a lifetime. SPNHS helps low-income, first-time homeowners purchase, finance, and maintain their properties so that they and their neighborhoods can thrive.
Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content.

Clip Transcript For:

Rebuilding Neighborhoods through Public/Private Partnerships

  computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" Before we get started with the actual construction of our house let's talk with us -- who is really one of the pivotal. Figures in the recycling and rebirth of this particular neighborhood in St. -- this is an interesting neighborhood pride goes back to the twenties."

" That's right but very substantial housing in this area and housing with a lot of character -- is it was seasonal it was winter residence right that's correct a lot of the housing was developed by. People who would come here. From the north in the wintertime. It was in have that you hear the rest of the year they'd go back home and -- they would either rent out these houses aboard the -- so many of these houses have a history of almost three quarters of a century. What happened to them in the last 2030 years. Well the neighborhood gradually declined over a period of years the cost of maintaining the housing the cause of rehab and housing was pretty high I think a lot of the owners just walked away from it. So at one point you had hundreds of boarded houses blighted properties and vacant lots in this neighborhood and very often when that happens in the community you have a different social element that comes in. What happened here. Well you're absolutely right boarded properties and overgrown lots just attract. The bad crowd in the neighborhood if you will. Now obviously it continues in the to the decline in property values and that's what words are experiencing we had drug problems crime problems you name it. It was quite a tough battle to turn this neighborhood around."

" And the neighborhood works group that he did that you had. Has -- really had an impact not just on turning it around but explain what else you do in terms of housing."

" Sure well first of all St. Pete NHS has been involved in the Bartlett park neighborhood for about fifteen years. Back god early ninety's this neighborhood was inhabited by one of the worst drug operations in the history of the city. In fact the head of that operation is now doing federal time in in the in prison. But we came in and we worked with the residents who worked with the neighborhood association. We worked with the Bank of America CDC to acquire properties we've provided homebuyer education and counseling services to potential homebuyers. We've been involved in transforming and revitalizing the neighborhood primarily through promoting first time home ownership."

" And one of the key things is not just promoting home ownership but. Helping people figure out how it is you maintain a home and how it is you pay."

" And it's that are absolutely -- we're committed to the long term success of -- first time -- we like to say that we generate. Successful. Lifelong first time homeowners and we're building here. Houses that are unlike any other houses this neighborhood's ever seen that's correct that's correct in fact if you -- through the neighborhood you'll see quite a bit of construction to a three houses per block. But nothing like we're doing on this site."

 [-]


More Videos »Related Videos

Boiler Pipes and a In-Floor Radiant Heat in Bathroom
Boiler Pipes and a In-Floor Radiant Heat in Bathroom

Bob meets with the plumber to look at the air handler and then goes upstairs to check out a bathroom floor heated with radiant heat.

Summer Prep for Your Window A/C Unit
Summer Prep for Your Window A/C Unit

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. Get a jump on the hot weather by making sure your room air conditioner s up to the challenge. Before you pull it out of storage, consider the age of your air conditioner. Efficiencies have improved so much that replacing an old clunker from the 70s with a new 10-seer unit could cut your cooling costs in half. Regardless of age, all units need maintenance every season and about once a month during the season. First, unplug the unit and see your manual for instructions on discharging the capacitors to avoid a shock. Dirt is your air conditioner s worst enemy. Clean out the drain ports with a length of wire. Vacuum the evaporator and condenser coils and gently straighten any bent fins with a fin comb, which you can get at most hardware or plumbing supply stores. Remove the filter and wash and dry it thoroughly or replace it with a new one if it s the disposable kind. Run the unit for a few minutes to see how it performs. If the fan s making noise, try tightening the blade s set screw as well as the bolts that hold the fan unit to its housing. If the power cord, switch or thermostat is worn or faulty, you can replace it without having to buy a new unit. The coils, compressor and motor are all sealed and should be repaired by a professional. On the bright side, if you do this check early, you won t be put on someone s waiting list in 90-degree heat! Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

How to Maintain a Snowblower
How to Maintain a Snowblower

Proper maintenance of a snowblower will keep it running for years. Manufacturers recommend taking maintenance steps prior to storing the machine during the summer months.

Winterize Your Home
Winterize Your Home

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. While you were having fun in the sun this summer, it was no vacation for your house. Sun, wind and rain can cause as much wear and tear as snow and ice. A fall checklist will tip you off to some problems before they become nasty mid-winter surprises. Check your house from top to bottom. Start by inspecting the roof with binoculars: Are your shingles worn or failing? Check the attic for signs of leaks around the skylights or vents, chimneys, and have your chimney cleaned once a year. Clear out your gutters and check for leaks there, too. Drain your outside hose spigots if you live where pipes can freeze. Switch your screens for storm windows, and seal any drafty windows and doors. The same goes for paint and siding: make sure you caulk or repair those gaps around windows, doors, trim and vents, and replace any siding that is failing. In the basement, check for dampness on the floor and walls, test your sump pump, flush your water heater and check for any signs of leakage. Clean your dryer vent regularly. Make sure that paints or any flammable materials are stored away from heat sources in a closed metal cabinet. And make that appointment to have your heating system serviced yearly. Do the top-to-bottom check this fall, and you ll avoid expensive surprises this winter! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

More Content »More Content

Green Backlash: The Wind Turbine Controversy
Green Backlash: The Wind Turbine Controversy

…can seem so outrageously loud. Property Values For Barbara Pitcairn, Owner…
…aircraft or a waterfall. As far as property values, Shaw says that since there have…
…hears that turbines do not affect property values or neighboring property values, he…

The Mortgage Crisis: How It May Affect You
The Mortgage Crisis: How It May Affect You

…of life in those neighborhoods. Property values decline. Residents who live next…
…now collecting less money because property values have declined. During the boom years…
…plans based on the assumption that property values would continue to rise. This has…

Historic St. Petersburg Neighborhoods
Historic St. Petersburg Neighborhoods

…an active population year-round. Founded by a Russian aristocrat and named for his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia, St. Pete s quickly became home to spring baseball and to snowbirds looking to escape the northern cold by wintering in the Florida sunshine…

Green Homes Special Series: Part Three: Water-Friendly Landscapes
Green Homes Special Series: Part Three: Water-Friendly Landscapes

…the "initiative has raised awareness of how each one of us can improve water quality in our community while improving the property values of our homes. Rain gardens are a beautiful way to make our city greener, cleaner and more livable." Hinkle says hundreds…

Browse Topics

Click on a letter to browse content by topic alphabetically.



About  | FAQ  | Contact  | Sitemap  | Privacy Policy  | Terms of Use  | Help

© BobVila.com 2009