Brookings Banter

Is this charming owner occupied home destined to look ....

like this becuase it is located next door to this rental property?

Central Brookings has historical value and is important to the appeal of Brookings as a progressive growing city with a major university.  With pressure from a strong student rental market, and issues in maintaining a classic neighborhood, special attention is needed to preserve central Brookings neighborhoods and housing stock.

I consider Central Brookings north of the railroad tracks and west of 17th avenue.  The included neighborhoods were developed pre 1960. 

The charm of Central Brookings is an asset when attracting individuals and families to Brookings.  Also, housing in the central area is valuable as affordable starter homes and classic homes have appeal to some home purchasers.  Central Brookings isn't for everyone, but a town with neighborhood options will be more attractive.  And workforce attraction is a daily topic in Brookings.

To preserve Central Brookings we need to focus on the following.

Diverse Residents - Neighboors are a big part of the uniqueness.  In new / developing neighborhoods you find the only difference between you and your neighbors is the color of your SUV.  Central Brookings residents should be a mix of college students, graduate students, young professionals, young and established families, empty nesters and retirees.

Nice Windshield Appeal - Two of Brookings biggest events, Arts in the Park and Hobo Day, are concentrated in Central Brookings.  Visitors of the park and Hobo Day parade watchers drive  and walk through these neighborhoods.  These are days we must shine. A run down house with garbage and furniture in the yard doesn't help at all. 

Safe and Good Quality of Life for Residents - It doesn't matter where you live, everyone in Brookings deserves the same quality of life.  Housing conditions, littering, parking issues, disturbing the peace, and other codes and laws need to be enforced.  Older neighborhoods may need more attention due to resident diversity and age of homes.

Safe and Good Condition Rentals - Those who rent homes deserve to have safe good quality living conditions.  It is the city responsibility to help make sure students are safe and treated fairly when renting in Brookings.  This isn't just a Central Brookings issue but I believe that if students are provided a quality rental they will respect the property and the neighbors to the same level as the quality of the property they rent.

Student Leadership at SDSU is addressing good quality rentals for students.  I have been active with this group  and hope to share more during the fall semester.

100% code enforcement is a topic that has been discussed since my first days as a Member of the Council.  This year I thought we were getting beyond talk by asking for 100% code enforcement to be included in the budget.  The budget we received did not include any new funds for code enforcement.  Code enforcement is critical to preserving Central Brookings it must be funded, or a special part of Brookings will be lost.