Front Door Pride Problems

The Front Door Pride program started in 2004 to revitalize some of Evansville's neglected neighborhoods. Front Door pride has meant a lot to Haynie's Corner. Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel says it's help establish this area into an arts district. But just down the road are blighted neighborhoods that are also supposed to benefit from the program. Expect the people who live there says nothing that was promised is being done. Enjoying his golden years is something Fred Cook doesn't believe he can do when he's more concerned with cracked sidewalks and empty lots around his home. "We have to look at this everyday." What he's looking at is supposed to disappear thanks to the city's Front Door Pride program. Introduced during the 2004 campaign season it was created to clean up neighborhoods like Cook's and the surrounding areas. "The people told us it was just a marketing scheme I did not want to believe it." But cook's view is changing. "There hasn't been a nail drive a house painted a roof fixed." In four years Cook says for everything they promised all they recieved were garbage cans and in this neighborhood right near Goosetown those cans are no where to be found "I feel like there's a lot of things they're telling people that aren't accurate." That's why Cook and other neighborhoods are asking Metropolitain Development Director Gregg Lamar why nothing is happening. Lamar says it takes time. He told the group the original plan they had didn't work and they had to change gears. Cook hopes they do it soon so he can see the improvements before he gets too hold to enjoy them. Lamar says when the program started they knew it would take three to five yeras it get things going. This is the third year. Lamar says soon they will go door to door in Cook's neighborhoods and others inspecting homes looking at ways to fix the issues