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Lodi City Council tonight has a chance to help seniors, the Eastside


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 6:38 AM PDT

Comments (25 comment(s))

At tonight's meeting, the Lodi City Council is scheduled to vote for final authorization and is expected to move forward with the proposed affordable housing project planned for the Railroad Avenue, Lockeford Street corridor.

This site is a collection of parcels mostly owned by Union Pacific Railroad that once carried the Kentucky House railroad spur and will, if approved, be known as Corvina Estates.

The PAM Companies is a Lodi-based company specializing in sites such as this and will be awarded the contract if approved by a vote of the council.

There is high demand for quality and affordable senior housing in the Lodi area. A market study by Laurin and Associates indicates that there are over 10,000 senior households in and around Lodi. This study further states that there is an estimated total demand for 230+ units targeting senior households. The LOEL Center, which is partnering with PAM, has a waiting list of no less than 70 income-qualified seniors for their 16 affordable rental units in Lodi. It is my personal belief that these numbers are conservative.

PAM and its development partners, LOEL, Housing Authority of San Joaquin County, (housing assistance programs), ByDesign Solutions, (financial education, budgeting and tax services to seniors), Delta College, and Farmers and Merchants Bank are committed to providing the safest and most affordable senior housing project possible.

There has been a fairly vocal group of critics who contend that this area is simply the wrong place for a project that will be predominately inhabited by senior citizens. This group says that the area is overrun with gangs, homeless and other derelicts who could potentially prey on the occupants.

By my own personal investigating, I counted no less than 12 persons this past Tuesday in Lawrence Park, located across the street from Corvina, who were either homeless or definitely leaning toward that designation.

While this is a point of concern, it is my belief that Corvina is but one initial step and, in conjunction with targeted redevelopment, is part of a master plan to revitalize and reenergize the Eastside. When residents start seeing good things going up around them, mindsets will begin to change, people will hopefully be encouraged to maintain their abodes no matter how humble they may be.

When the dollars promised by the Reynolds Ranch developers to renovate many of the somewhat neglected homes in the area start to flow, even more good things will begin to happen.

Thankfully, the city of Lodi does not make policy based solely on worst-case scenarios. If that were the case, little if anything would ever get done. I for one refuse to let whatever criminal element there may be on the Eastside dictate public policy. By most indications, crime proliferates in areas of neglect and decay. When bright and shiny new buildings are brought forth, more often than not, most ne'er-do-wells tend to move on.

After speaking with PAM Development Coordinator Winnie Ontiveros, I've been informed that the Lodi PD has actually turned down an offer of locating a small satellite LPD office at the site. The LPD deemed an office there unnecessary.

We all know that there is no cure for crime or homelessness. Being proactive and encouraging economic development is the single best way, in my mind, that the city can create jobs and truly help those in need, if help is indeed what they seek.

J. Kurt Roberts can be reached at jkurtroberts@sbcglobal.net.

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Oct 8, 2007 3:19 PM:

" Get a Grip: That's not the point. The point is that the city should not place senior citizens in harms way, on purpose. "

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Get a Grip wrote on Oct 8, 2007 12:24 PM:

" This is low income housing, section 8. Where do you want them to put it, Rivergate? As for the crime in the area, start locking up the punks. If the cops can't do it, maybe we should take the matter into our own hands! "

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Patton wrote on Oct 8, 2007 11:58 AM:

" Caspian, you need to become informed before you start throwing out accusations! Yes, this project went out to bid and PAM won.Railroads are often required to sell to states and cities depending on how they aquired the land. Nothing here stinks except your iresponsible blogging. "

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Hector Suarez wrote on Oct 8, 2007 10:48 AM:

" This is not Senior Housing, this will be a shopping mall for eastide punks. "

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Caspian wrote on Oct 8, 2007 7:45 AM:

" To Patton: Then who is PAM and how much was the price PAM paid for the land. The key here is those that are behind PAM and their status within the city. Additionally, was this project put up for bid? So, are you telling me that the city changed the zoning to force the Railroad to forgo the property rights. Something stinks. "

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to kurt wrote on Oct 7, 2007 10:12 AM:

" What a "polyanna" mindset .It will be easier to read your thoughts if you lived in that neighborhood,,,or maybe move your family into that sr housing. "

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Patton wrote on Oct 6, 2007 8:42 PM:

" To Caspian, Abandon is a legal term in this case. If the railroad is not going to use the line (this is called toabandon) they are required in most cases to offer first to State, the county and then city.Since the city holds the zoning keys, the railroad doesnt have much of a chance to offer at market prices. "

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Caspian wrote on Oct 6, 2007 6:22 PM:

" Do you Remember...school students go home. Gang members go home to homes that are next to the senior living complex. "

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Come' on wrote on Oct 6, 2007 4:49 PM:

" A school next to a wealthy neighbor is a poor example. Section 8 seniors next to highest crime area in Lodi is no comparison to somewhat-rotten kids next to rich people. Give me a break. Find a better example please. I do hope these seniors will not be sitting ducks, and all these concerns are for not. "

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Do you remember wrote on Oct 6, 2007 9:58 AM:

" when the residents of the Sun West subdivision were screaming about the school for wayward students that was being built adjacent to them? All of the horrible things that were going to happen to their neighborhoods because of the school. Well, guess what.....nothing happened. They've all coexisted quite nicely. "

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Caspian wrote on Oct 6, 2007 6:56 AM:

" Patton Wrote..."I believe they abandoned it...Yet you do not have knowledge of your beliefe because you so not have justification? I would think differently. With the land prices as they are within a city, no company is just going to 'abandoned' property. "

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Caveman wrote on Oct 5, 2007 11:19 AM:

" Kurt, I drive by the park daily, try it sometime. There are more than 12 there on a regular basis. Please make more than one observation before making a conclusion. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 5, 2007 10:15 AM:

" I fear that the seniors that will live in this new housing will be seniors that do not have extended family looking out for them, therefore leaving them at even more risk of being taken advantage of or robbed, hurt etc. No one in their right mind would let their older loved ones live in this area. So, you'll have older folks living there without the added protection of extended family members to watch out for them. Only a fool would let their parents/grandparents live there. "

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For Months.... wrote on Oct 4, 2007 5:49 PM:

" Lawrence Park Has been in the newspapers! Don't act stupid! Police do sweeps and take to jail those with warrants, probation violations, open containers, drugs, and yes assualts! Now 200 seniors get to fear more where they will be living at a lower per month cost, for their own lives! As if crime is going to go down with seniors with guaranteed monthly checks move in! 400 block of E. Locost (Gang Turf) is MERE BLOCKS AWAY! "

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To If the soil wrote on Oct 4, 2007 1:23 PM:

" Get a grip. Do you honestly think there won't be a Phase I and II Environmental Report done? You can't be that stupid. These assualts at the park, do you have statistics to back up your outrageous comments? Just more cheap talk. "

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If The Soil Is Contaminated..... wrote on Oct 4, 2007 8:00 AM:

" NO proposal should be approved for the Lawrence Park Location should be approved until SOIL CONTAMINATION samples are completed and REVEALED to the public! It boggles my mind to think that the city, in an effort to "Look Good" would ever put our seniors TWICE in danger! First, from crime, and second, from contamination! "

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Seniors Deserve Better!!!! wrote on Oct 4, 2007 7:56 AM:

" The proposed Lawrence Park location places seniors hoping to enjoy their final years takes away that hope! It places seniors in Danger because retail stores are not NEAR the proposed location! Those who wish to rob or assault an (EASY VICTIM) know the paths between the proposed senior location and stores! They also know that it is easier to prey on seniors due to health limitations! Seniors have contributed their lives to family and community! They don't deserve to be living so close to a drug haven like Lawrence Park! "

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Patton wrote on Oct 3, 2007 9:49 PM:

" The land is from the railroad and I believe they abandoned it which means the city may have got it for free or at a good price. "

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Caspian wrote on Oct 3, 2007 5:31 PM:

" Patton, What are you telling us. The senior project is a smoke screen. What land break are you talking about; or what is the city not telling us. Who is getting a break on the land--a city connected developer. "

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Patton wrote on Oct 3, 2007 2:15 PM:

" Seniors are not requires to move here, this will be a market based dev. with a break on the land cost to make it more affordable. We will all see how the project shapes up and how successful it is atracting senior tenants. Experience tells me to be optimistic. "

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ZZ wrote on Oct 3, 2007 1:46 PM:

" I hear there is a lot of contamination along the railroad tracks,one good way of geting rid of the elders, huh. Lets not jump the gun until we see whats in the soil first. "

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Caspian wrote on Oct 3, 2007 1:30 PM:

" I quess we know where the RD area is going to be (and where homes will be taken for ridding the area to keep the seniors safe). Of course Kurt would know, he is writting for (from) the city's position. "

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Kurt wrote on Oct 3, 2007 12:20 PM:

" There is no secret document stamped "Master Plan" stashed away in some vault at city hall. That is simply my term for what I feel to be the prevailing opinion among the powers that be in the city. "

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WuzUp wrote on Oct 3, 2007 11:26 AM:

" This location is far from any convenience for seniors. Will the City place some benches along the routes to the post office, downtown, K-mart, Lowell Center, Hutchins Street Square for these seniors to rest or are they required to drive. How many parking spaces are going to be allocated. Senior housing like that at Locust and School Street? That was touted as being a senior housing project as well. But what has it turned into? "

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JoAnne wrote on Oct 3, 2007 7:23 AM:

" Kurt, What Master Plan does the city have? I have asked Mr. King and staff for months what "Plans" are in place to change the neighbor. They tell me there is no plans, just some ideas. If in fact a Master Plan exists and you have seen it, please share because City Hall sure isn't. At least with me anyway. "

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Comments on this story are now closed.

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