By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer

    South Street area residents in Biddeford like the history and sense of community in their neighborhood, but worry about trash and crime.
    Residents gathered Jan. 21 at Christ Episcopal Church for a meeting with neighbors and city officials to discuss revitalization efforts that will include the creation of a park.
Community Development Director Linda Waters said neighborhood revitalization is a component of the city’s Five Year Consolidated Plan. During the past few years, revitalization efforts have focused on the Bacon Street neighborhood.
    The South Street neighborhood includes South, Green, Kossuth, Crescent, Center, Wentworth, Graham, Jefferson and Elm streets and Williams Court.
    Waters said the city already has started investing in the neighborhood, using funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to construct brick sidewalks around Cannon Park and reconstruct sidewalks on South and Crescent streets.
Funding from the department also was used to purchase 8, 10 and 15 Williams Court. The buildings are set to be demolished within the next couple months to allow for a park in the neighborhood, Waters said. The city will purchase and fix up 7 William Court, a single-family home that will be resold.
    Waters began the meeting by asking residents to list  things they like and dislike about the neighborhood. Residents said they like the neighborhood’s proximity to Main Street, its historic integrity, the people of all ages who live there and its potential for revitalization. They also said they like the sense of community that comes from knowing many of their neighbors.
    “A lot of us know each other. We all have the same goal, to clean up our neighborhood,” said City Council President Bob Mills, who lives in the neighborhood.
    Residents agreed major issues in the neighborhood center on illegal trash dumping and vandalism. Other issues include vacancy rates, people yelling or creating unnecessary noise, dog waste on sidewalks and limited parking.
Dan Adams, who owns a building on Center Street, said he has noticed an increase in vandalism in the last month. He said car windows and lights have been smashed and graffiti painted on various buildings.
    Residents said the neighborhood can be improved with a community garden, a place for children to play and neighborhood cleanups. They also agreed a teen center or Boys and Girls Club would provide an opportunity for children to interact with adult volunteers while staying off the streets.
    Residents hosted a community barbecue last summer and would like to do so again, they said at the meeting. Other project ideas include a community celebration, large yard sale, installing bike racks and removing graffiti.
    “You like your neighborhood, that’s the crux of it right there,” Waters said. “Your neighborhood has a really good heart because you want it safe and you’re thinking about your kids.”
    Waters encouraged residents to take an active role in revitalizing their neighborhood. George Montieth, who works for the police and code departments, said residents should report code violations and illegal dumping as soon as possible.
Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk said residents should report any crimes or other disruptive behavior to police. She said calls for service are down in the neighborhood.
    “That’s a positive thing. I think things are really turning around,” she said.
    Area residents are invited to participate in a second neighborhood meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Christ Episcopal Church on Crescent Street.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.