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HomeNewsArchivesWe From Upstreet Joins Fight to Take Back Hospital Ground

We From Upstreet Joins Fight to Take Back Hospital Ground








Myron Jackson, president of We From Upstreet and executive director of the V.I. Cultural Heritage Institute, answered the cry for help and has partnered with Department of Human Services Commissioner Chris Finch to restore cultural beauty and safety to Hospital Ground.

Jackson and Finch welcomed approximately 30 concerned community members and representatives of various government agencies late Sunday afternoon at the Winston Raymo Community Center in Hospital Ground. Sunday’s meeting was the second public meeting regarding solutions for Hospital Ground.

We From Upstreet is an organization that formed to work on social issues in the upstreet neighborhoods, including Hospital Ground, Pollyberg Road, Lovers Lane and the left side of Bunker Hill down to the post office. One of their successful projects has been the restoration of Roosevelt Park.

Jackson called for a comprehensive plan for the neighborhood and listed what he sees as some of the main issues. The Human Services parking lot across from Jah Yard, scheduled to undergo renovations soon, was supposed to be the site for a Hospital Ground elementary school. The government claimed eminent domain and forced residents to vacate their properties to build a school. It was never supposed to be a parking lot, according to Jackson.

Another serious issue needing resolution is the disturbance to residents, especially the elderly community, when concerts held at Lionel Roberts Stadium are permitted to go on all night, sometimes ending after 5 a.m.

Gunshots still ring out on a nightly basis and some residents are prisoners in their own home, afraid to come out even to attend the meeting, Jackson said.

Deputy Police Chief Dewayne deGraff and new Zone A Commander Lt. Milton Petersen listened to residents’ comments, with Petersen taking notes regarding locations of illegal activities. He told the crowd that he would look to start a “Park, Talk, and Walk” program with the police officers in that area after receiving feedback regarding the lack of police presence and the lack of communication between police and residents.

Petersen touched on education and the need to bridge the gap between the youth and the elders.

“You’re only as good as your weakest link,” he said.

Finch suggested that some of the government agencies housed in the area fund surveillance cameras, telling the crowd, “If the neighborhood will let me know where the cameras are needed, I will find the money in my budget to purchase the cameras.”

Nadine Marchena Kean, director of the V.I. Economic Development Authority, hopes to have the Hospital Ground area declared a part of the Enterprise Zone Mission and is currently awaiting that authorization from Gov. John deJongh Jr. This will enable her office to survey the population, number of buildings, education levels, household income, poverty and occupations. Enterprise Zone can then work with the community on a town plan.

Once a member of the Enterprise Zone, rehabilitation to a commercial building garners tax credits and allows property taxes to remain the same for 10 years, regardless of the improvements made. She has also requested that the governor allow the inclusion of residential properties for those benefits.

Dilsa Capdeville, “a product of Upstreet” and executive director of Kidscope, said that Hospital Ground was filled with empowered men and women when she was growing up.

“I have heard a lot of talk tonight of restoring buildings,” Capdeville said. “My focus is the restoration of the lives of our children.”

Also attending the meeting were representatives from the Department of Health, the Department of Housing, Parks, and Recreation, and Catholic Charities.

DeJongh is scheduled to attend next month’s meeting but the date, has not yet been determined.

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