Preliminary Findings Overview
M.A.P.S. Project research identified key assets, issues of concern people are willing to work on, and recommendations for next steps. The summary below outlines these preliminary findings.
Key Assets
Historic neighborhood with long-term residents who care about each other
- People like the ‘feel’ and ‘character’ of the neighborhood. Many respondents spoke about friendly and trustworthy neighbors.
Gonzaga University and its campus
- Campus programs such as Homeless Outreach, Campus Kitchen, and Campus Kids demonstrate the University’s commitment to social justice and to directly impact neighborhood residents.
- Externship/internship programs.
- Good Neighbor Class (teaches students about living off-campus)
Neighborhood green space – parks, tress
- Large trees, green grass, safe sidewalks communicate ‘established’ neighborhood; this is more common close to campus and deteriorates as you move further north in Logan.
- Mission, Heath, Hayes parks – all are distinctive.
Walk-ability
- Proximity of shops, retail and services. Easy access with generally good sidewalks.
- Centrality – people live within walking distance of downtown, Centennial Trail, and lots of services.
Local Agencies: C.O.P.S., Salvation Army, St. Joseph Family Care Center
- LINK after-school program provides middle and high school youth with activities; promotes healthy engagement and values development for children during the school year.
- Salvation Army provides homeless services and housing opportunities.
- COPS Logan and NextDoor are safety resources. NextDoor social networking platform enables people to share events, interests, needs, safety issues.
Health education and food security programs
- Logan Elementary provides 95-97% of students with free or reduced lunch; some summer meals are available at Logan and St. Al’s School. Logan offers nutrition classes taught by WSU students, fresh school lunches and health information taught by counselors.
- Salvation Army Food Bank reaches 1500 families each month and Campus Kitchen delivers to sites in Logan. Safeway and other grocery stores offer a variety of access points.
Neighborhood Church Involvement
- Several churches have large congregations; smaller churches also serve local residents.
Logan Elementary School
- Passionate teachers, well-run programs; strong neighborhood feel.
- Well supported by the donations from the community; 50% diversity at Logan Elementary.
Local business
- Lots of family-owned and operated specialty shops and eateries contribute to sense of community.
Key Concerns/Issues
Safety & Crime
- Reputation of neighborhood for safety is poor
- WIDE variety of concerns identified here
- Traffic: lack of stop signs, traffic control, parking issues
- Student behavior: roving gangs looking for parties; loud, intoxicated students unaware of/ignore ordinances pertaining to parking on lawns, fires, noise
- Property damage and theft: trash in neighborhood, vandalism; porch and political sign thefts; damage to outdoor materials; break-ins and burglaries of homes and cars; fear of theft. Abandoned homes and property attract vagrants – “broken window theory”
- Personal safety: fear for personal safety, violence, threat of violence
- Child safety: parents do not feel children can play outside safely; kids need programs and safe places to go after school and in the summer
- Drugs: evidence of drug use and associated violence
Community health – access, resources, health care
- Poverty itself is a threat to community health; increases risk for variety of health issues. Depression, anxiety, hypertension is evident in families.
- “Residents think others in the community want more information about healthy eating/nutrition, followed by crime prevention.” There is a lack of clinical services locally.
- Logan elementary school teachers and staff identified “mental health crisis” - lack of basic hygiene, poor dental conditions (at an early age).
Food insecurity - hunger
- Business owners in particular noted evidence of young people looking for hand-outs – free pizza, popcorn; individually, they have tried to respond as they can.
Neighborhood Clean-Ups
- Residents repeatedly referenced too much trash in the neighborhood; need to clean up run-down properties.
Transportation
- Access isn’t great if you live off bus routes. Some bicycle paths exist; not well-marked.
Children’s Programs (after school & summer)
- General concern that children are on their own in the summer time; and unsupervised after school. Not all families can afford programs.
Landlord Concerns
- Concerns about being taken advantage of by landlords who do not maintain their properties adequately; refuse to return damage deposits even if apartments are spotless.
- Abandoned properties attract transients.
Homelessness
- Evidenced by significant number of transients in the neighborhood (live in Mission Park and along the river); walk through alleys, looking through garbage.
- Evidence of people living in cars.
Recommendations
Get connected: create opportunities to meet and build relationships neighbor-to-neighbor
- Block party, open mic nights, storytelling evenings; regular newsletter or other form of communication.
- Neighborhood clean-ups and safety programs will bring people together; O’Malley residents want health and education/more interaction with students; build and improve personal connections.
- Some type of community gathering place; NECC is too far away for neighborhood children to use for after school help. Consider an externship center.
Increase the University’s involvement in the Logan neighborhood
- Respond to specific concerns: student behavior; a few disruptive students reflect poorly on everyone.
- Revitalize off-campus living guide; “good neighbor challenge” training.
- Neighbors appreciate student assistance and support. Consider creating a community center and physical presence of GU in the neighborhood.
Provide opportunities for community service for youth and adults in the neighborhood
- Involve neighborhood residents and youth in improving the neighborhood to create a sense of ownership and shared, personal responsibility; increase community service by everyone who lives here.
Create affordable children’s programming after school and during the summer
Improve safety & address crime
- Improve the walk-ability by increasing litter pickups and beautification efforts
- Better traffic control; stop signs, stop lights, pedestrian safety
- Brighter lights around the neighborhood
Increase health education, including mental health services
- Parents want adults in the community to take more personal responsibility for their actions and to contribute to making the neighborhood better. Need help for people suffering from mental health problems.
Address hunger
Improve neighborhood image
- Increase clean-ups so neighbors can enjoy the outdoors. GU-sponsored clean-ups promote student involvement in the Logan neighborhood and demonstrate accountability.
- There are lots of activities, opportunities and events that many people may not know about; get word out about these resources; seize the positive approach of MAPS to combat the negative reputation and stereotypes of NE Spokane by building consensus around projects and shared programs.
Develop a list of neighborhood resources
Host a farmers’ and makers’ market
- Bring people together, encourage fresh food consumption
Tell us what you think. Send an email with your thoughts and comments to these suggestions. Or call Mary Joan Hahn at (509) 313-6095 to share your reflections.