"Everyone is a stakeholder in this as we continue to deal with the urban scourge of youth violence that's affecting America," said Sarno. Watch video
In the latest installment of Ask the Mayor from The Republican, with reporter Peter Goonan and videographer Mark M. Murray:
Opening statements
0:00 - Mayor Domenic J. Sarno acknowledges 'good news' of recent cultural events in Springfield including the Hoop City Jazz Festival, which drew over 25,000 music-lovers, and new restaurants opening in Springfield including Mama Iguana's in former the Basketball Hall of Fame building.
0:55 - Sarno says he will meet with the FBI and others to reevaluate the city's action plan to 'do more' to prevent violence in the city of Springfield. "I'm not going to rest until we continue to quell the spikes in hot spot areas," said Sarno.
"Everyone is a stakeholder in this as we continue to deal with the urban scourge of youth violence that's affecting America," said Sarno.
Question and Answer - The following quotes are excerpts from Mayor Sarno's full answers, which can be heard by watching the video.
2:00 - What is the future of the South End Community Center following extensive tornado damage?
"We are looking to rebuild," said Sarno. "We'll look at that site, but also this could play a pivotal role in our Hollywood section of the South End as we go after Choice Neighborhoods-type grants with HUD, and that could help in that rejuvenation of that neighborhood area. So, we are looking to rebuild and bring back the South End Community Center, whether on-site or other viable sites such as the Hollywood section."
3:15 - Why should the city accept a $1 bid in the sale of the old School Department Headquarters?
"This has been a win-win proposal as we move towards market-rate housing in downtown Springfield," said Sarno. "This comes with the developer sinking a ton of money into this building. As you know, the commercial realtors and other realtors in the area had indicated that this building was going to be obsolete, in a way. So, private development, with their own money; Market-rate housing; this was not on the tax rolls -- it will be on the tax rolls and I believe it will be generating anywhere from $40 to 60 thousand dollars a year in taxes."
"This is in a way, us giving back as far as giving incentive to developers to come in and do market-rate housing," said Sarno.
"That's how you start to stimulate more of an eclectic mix in our downtown area."
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