February 3, 2010

RDA approves community garden on Marquette Street

RUGN's map of its proposed community garden at 734 Marquette St.


As director of city development, Brian O'Connell's job doesn't usually involve agreeing not to develop land. But on O'Connell's recommendation, the city's Redevelopment Authority agreed to do just that Wednesday.

The RDA approved the Racine Urban Garden Network's ambitious plan to create a community garden on just over an acre of land at 734 Marquette St. The committee gave the new non-profit organization a five-year lease on the property, which effectively takes it off the market through 2015.

O'Connell admitted during Wednesday's meeting he usually doesn't support community gardens on land set aside for development. But he said the down economy and RUGN's well thought out plan convinced him a garden would be a good fit on the Marquette Street site.

"I feel confident we can work with them," he said.

Kandy Meyers and Nikki Aiello, of RUGN, presented the community garden plan to the RDA. Meyers said the site will lease out up to 80 plots on a sliding scale and include a food pantry plot, roadside garden beds, a dog walk area and a rain garden to collect stormwater runoff.

Under the lease with the RDA, which is the technical owner of the property, RUGN will take over the site "as is," O'Connell said. If the nonprofit secures a conditional-use permit for the garden, which shouldn't be a problem, its first task will be test soil on the site for contaminants. If the soil is dirty, RUGN will fill raised garden beds with soil trucked into the site.

Another challenge is water for the garden plots. There's no water hookup to the property, which means gardeners will have to carry in their own or rely on rain. Aiello and Meyers said they'll use rain barrels and other tanks to get water to the site.

RDA members approved the garden unanimously. It now goes to the City Council for final approval.

RUGN is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting gardening in the Racine area. The nonprofit's website says:
RUGN seeks to promote a strong gardening effort in the Racine area, and to create a network of resources and education to improve sustainable gardening and farming. RUGN will serve as a central point to connect individuals and organizations that each have visions for their own gardens, and to find available land and resources for people to start gardening projects. The goal is to facilitate communication amongst all who have the initiative to start a garden.

21 comments:

  1. Way to go Nikki and Kandy! Great job!

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  2. If any of you tree hugging fools think this is going to work in the hood your nuts! Maybe if you grow wacky it will be alright!

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  3. NIce work guys. Don't listen to ignorant haters. They have no clue. This will work great!

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  4. NIce work guys. Don't listen to ignorant haters. They have no clue. This will work great!

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  5. This will be a great thing for the City. I hope that the old Danish Home Garden idea can go forward too.

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  6. How much are they paying to rent the land? Does it cover the property taxes?

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  7. Why a five year lease? What if I want to buy it? Why not give them a five year term that can be terminated if a buyer shows interest?

    Then again knowing the realestae philosophy that "Dickerthead" and "I can't sell a house Crimmings" have they would rather speculate on the properties worth in five years! That brings "Johnnie Boy" five years closer to his "Ten Year Plan".

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  8. The plan looks pretty well thought out and intelligent. Maybe Dickert should hire RUGN to draft his 10 year plan.

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  9. It is really great that Racine will have a community garden. The benefits of such gardens are numerous. We have been missing such a community effort since North beach playground.

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  10. The RDA apparently has also made sure they will be able to sell the fruits of their labor/gargen in the West Racine farmers market. The city has created such a mess with all the underground stuff the land's likely use will only be good for the farmers market.

    Hope the garden works. I have seen some very positive TV programs about similar programs around the US.

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  11. We can tip toe through the tulips.

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  12. http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/83610787.html

    Other actions we in Racine can do if The City gets out of the way.

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  13. I will ask the question again how mch is the lease payment? Will it cover the tax value of the parcel?

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  14. No rent will be charged. Yes Racine can do something nice without thinking about the all mighty dollar

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  15. Anon 3:38,
    My property taxes go up every year, and every year the city in it's infinate wisdom buys more realestate. This process has raised my property taxes $800 in two years. To not think about the almighty dollar is moronic! All you left wing, tree hugging gardeners, should have to at least cover the property taxes on this parcel to use it! Then again it is another form of "Wellfare" and God knows you won't walk away from entitlements! If you wish to grow your own fresh veggies that is great but why should it be on my dime?

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  16. No one wants to buy this land now so whats the harm? In fact the group will be taking care of the landscaping lawn etc saving the City money.

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  17. This is a community garden. It will be inspirational. Many of the newest jobs are in organic and the green industry. People can network and be inspired to pursue new enterprises.

    It is really ridiculous to be against a community garden. Maybe we should do away with everything and have no green spaces? Isn't that what Haiti did to get them into financial ruin? Thought about the dollar over everything else?

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  18. Not to mention we need to get healthy. Diabetes and its related problems are the number one cause of bad health. Maybe people would be more likely to eat some greens if they grew them.
    We have no such garden in the city right now. This can be a place of education too.

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  19. I love this effort. Can someone tell me why the effort to do this at the old Danish Home ended? I heard that Brian O'Connell and Q.A both think that low income housing be better in a low income area, you know the tax base idea.

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  20. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJbqOqSdpx4&feature=fvw

    An idea who's time has come!
    If only Brian O'Connell and Q.A would embrace this fully!

    Did you know there will even be a Farmer's Market near by?

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