On October 4, 2021, PACDC submitted testimony in regards to city council resolution #210693.
PACDC regularly convenes Commercial Corridor Working Group meetings and is also facilitating a Problem Solving Learning Lab focused on addressing the impact of nuisance businesses and activities on commercial corridors. As you know, neighborhood businesses have been impacted by the pandemic, by last year’s social unrest, and now by the gun violence that has jumped in our City. We agree that there needs to be longer term investments in jobs, education, skills training, and entrepreneurship, but there also have to be shorter term positive signs from the City for many of our neighborhood corridors and businesses who are hanging on right now. We appreciate the additional funds for corridor cleaning and Security Cameras allocated by City Council for FY22, but more needs to be done.
What we hear is that businesses and residents around neighborhood corridors are fearful. As Jabari Jones points out, there are fewer businesses open after dark in neighborhoods and that causes a downward spiral that results in less foot traffic in the evening, creating an even less safe environment. We know there is no one or easy solution, but the status quo is not the answer.