More views on Bartlett Park
April 21st, 2007 by Alex Pickett in Flashbacks & Updates, Urban ExplorationsDuring my reporting for this week’s cover story, there were all sorts of views on how Bartlett Park’s revitalization is affecting its residents. Some saw it as a tide raising all boats, others feared displacement and more diplomatic types took the road of Neighborhood Housing Services executive director Askia Aquil: “Revitalization is a double-edge sword.â€
Then there were the few who thought not only is gentrification a long ways away, but the neighborhood is actually getting worse. A few newcomers to the area voiced outright disdain for Bartlett Park, only attracted to the neighborhood for its cheap housing.
“I hate it,†railed one property owner. “This has got to be the dirtiest part of the city.â€
(He suggested there’s a lax enforcement of laws because Bartlett Park is an African-American community.)
I recently came across Just Keep Swimming, a blog written by Gulfport Gabber reporter and Bartlett Park resident Cathy Salustri. Since moving to the area in 2005, Salustri’s views have went from righteous indignation about city officials neglect of Bartlett Park to outright hostility toward the neighborhood and its residents (scroll to third post “I Have a Dream?”).
I don’t agree with any of these points, but I think it’s interesting to note how a single neighborhood can elicit such divergent responses from its residents.
April 22nd, 2007 at 3:14 pm
And while I didn’t agree with everything in your article, Alex, I agree that it is interesting that one neighborhood could have so many views. I’ve had some residents ask me “Why would you want to live here? It’s a horrible neighborhood!” and others insist that it’s made out to be much worse than it actually is. Who, I wonder, makes it out to be anything? The “mainstream” media has neglected this area; your article, I thought, made it sound rosier than it is. So who’s making it out to be so bad?
For the record, I don’t think this is the worst part of the city. If the city could operationally demonstrate some commitment to improve the area I would probably stay. I just have so little faith in our leadership that I can’t wager my safety and peace of mind on their promises when I see such disproportionate commitment: the Scott Swifts and Tom Titos of BP are committed, but the politicians seem more interested in Sweetbay stores.
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