The Mitney Project
Last Updated on 12/1/2008
Published on 6/15/2008
The West End will no longer be a code word for Georgetown's blighted community if a group of women can accomplish their goals set out last week as the Mitney Project.
A mitney is a colloquialism that referes to children. And that's where the group hopes to start, by giving the neighborhood's children a safe place to play.
Chairman Barbara Huell said she and seven or eight other women have been working together for more than two years on a plan to revitalize the West End and bring about a comprehensive youth initiative.
"We decided it is time to do something about conditions in the West End that have existed at least since we were children," Mrs. Huell told Times reporter Tommy Howard.
In fact, the West End was in better shape decades ago than it is today. Mrs. Huell recalled grocery stores, shops, restaurants and other businesses as part of a vibrant community in those days.
There have been piecemeal efforts to start revitalizing the area. Wally Johnson has proposed building affordable housing. Police Chief Paul Gardner is working on a volunteer plan for neighbors to look after neighbors who need help. Churches have programs for children. The city has addressed dilapidated houses.
Now all of those pieces can fit into a broad effort aimed at making the West End, home to a fifth of the city's population, a better place to live.
Mrs. Huell wants to address housing, streets, sidewalks, drainage and playgrounds with.
Public recreation in the area is confined to just two small parks, one of which is adjacent to a salvage yard. Children play in the streets and in standing water.
The dream of the Mitney Project is to acquire an empty building that formerly housed G & G Wholesale at the corner of Front and Merriman. It contains about 7,000 square feet of space and has room for a small playground. Cultural activities in the building could include such things as art and dance, perhaps a doctor's office, and the building could be used for community meetings.
These citizens' efforts are to be applauded. They will need the help of city and county governments, churches, the schools and a variety of agencies to bring their dream to fruition.
