Moderator #4
12-02-2005, 08:20 AM
Some worry issues could lead to decline in Friarsgate, Irmo’s largest subdivision
By TIM FLACH
Staff Writer
Friarsgate, the residential heart of Irmo, is in a midlife crisis.
Leaders of the 30-year-old neighborhood are crusading against teen loitering, minor vandalism and a scattering of neglected homes with overgrown yards, inoperable cars and absentee owners.Town leaders say the health of Friarsgate is vital, since it is home to nearly 70 percent of residences in Irmo, covering the northern two-thirds of town.
Its 2,700 homes make it one of the largest neighborhoods in the area — five or six times the size of neighboring subdivisions.
The problems affecting pockets of Friarsgate must be stopped before spreading too far, some residents say.
“A lack of caring is when neighborhoods fall apart,” said Philip Barrington,leader of the Friarsgate Residential Association. “If we don’t show concern, no one will.”
While Town Hall has joined in some efforts, including increased patrols, enforcement of housing standards and discussion of curfews, some say it’s not enough.
“Things don’t always move as fast as we would like,” Barrington said.
NEIGHBORHOOD IN ‘FLUX’
One of Friarsgate’s hallmarks is its diversity.
Homes are eclectic in style and mostly modest in size. Population varies in age and race.
The area is popular, since its residences are among the most affordable in Lexington-Richland 5 schools, home to some of the top classrooms in the state.
Those features drew Barrington to the area five years ago.
“It’s a fun neighborhood,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about keeping up with the Joneses.”
But he, like others, has found problems cropping up that need to be addressed.
Most troublesome, he said, are things like graffiti, fights and name-calling — none of them headline-making but bothersome and intimidating to residents.
A study of juvenile crime in Irmo this summer — requested by town leaders — reported 22 of 38 incidents happened in Friarsgate in the four months ending Aug. 31. Most of those were for traffic violations, fights and minor drug possession.
The neighborhood’s peace also has been disturbed by two shootings this year.
Irmo Mayor John Gibbons, who has lived in Friarsgate 23 years, said problems are isolated and sometimes exaggerated.
The steady turnover of homes is unsettling to some longtime residents, who worry about possible decline, he said.
“It is going through a flux, but I see it starting back up,” he said.
A dozen homes in the neighborhood are “chronic problems,” mainly with unkempt yards, town administrator John Hansonsaid.
Those problems usually are corrected when owners are contacted with the complaint, he said.
But a few are “harder to untangle,” Hanson said. Those involve owners who live out-of-town or are in repossession proceedings.
Longtime residents like Clevelyn Gates also regard the problems as scattered, saying Friarsgate overall is a great place to live.
“I want the neighborhood to look professional in appearance,” Gates said. “That lack could help bring the neighborhood down.”
NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE
Residents have gone to Town Hall and joined together in groups to press for attention to the problems.
The neighborhood association, launched less than a year ago, has met to discuss issues but so far is still trying to figure out the best way to solve them.In part, the requests for help have increased police presence in Friarsgate since spring.
Police chief Brian Buck said loitering, vandalism and related problems are no worse in Friarsgate overall than elsewhere in Irmo.
“Parts of it may require more attention than others,” he said.
The strongest conflict between town and neighborhood leaders is over demands for a curfew intended to keep youngsters at home late at night.
The idea, first proposed in March, is being promoted by several neighborhood leaders. One, Thomas “Bo” McDonald, made it a centerpiece of his recently unsuccessful bid for Town Council.
Town Council shelved the idea after most of its five members called it extreme and unworkable. It could lead to harassment, some say, and would be impractical, since so many exceptions would have to be allowed for work, medical emergencies, school events and more.
Town Councilman Barry A. Walker Sr. said a curfew is not the way to go. “It says you’re out of control, and that’s not the case there.”
Even some longtime Friarsgate residents don’t favor a curfew.
“You can’t be unreasonable with people,” said C.W. Durham, a former state trooper who has lived in the neighborhood 23 years. “It’s going a little far.”
In the interim, Friarsgate leaders are pressing for more street lights.
“Lighting is one of the best deterrents,” Barrington said.But reducing dark areas isn’t easy.
Unlike other communities, the townof Irmo doesn’t handle lights in neighborhoods. It is left up to homeowners to settle on location and pay for the service. And the Friarsgate neighborhood association doesn’t have agreement, or money, to move forward at this point.
Homeowner pride is the ultimate solution for many of the ills, Gibbons said.
“Lobbying Town Hall to correct problems is not as effective as folks taking ownership of these situations,” he said.
“Neighborhood pressure often is the answer.”
Reach Flach at (803) 771-8483 or tflach@thestate.com.
ABOUT FRIARSGATE
• At 2,700 homes, it is among the largest neighborhoods in the Midlands
• Nearly 70 percent of the neighborhood’s homes are in Irmo
• It was built in stages during the 1970 and 1980s. Locals refer to it as New Friarsgate and Old Friarsgate, depending on location.
• Diversity is the hallmark of its residences and residents.
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/living/community/13301360.htm
This all Started after the mall and section 8 came to Irmo.
By TIM FLACH
Staff Writer
Friarsgate, the residential heart of Irmo, is in a midlife crisis.
Leaders of the 30-year-old neighborhood are crusading against teen loitering, minor vandalism and a scattering of neglected homes with overgrown yards, inoperable cars and absentee owners.Town leaders say the health of Friarsgate is vital, since it is home to nearly 70 percent of residences in Irmo, covering the northern two-thirds of town.
Its 2,700 homes make it one of the largest neighborhoods in the area — five or six times the size of neighboring subdivisions.
The problems affecting pockets of Friarsgate must be stopped before spreading too far, some residents say.
“A lack of caring is when neighborhoods fall apart,” said Philip Barrington,leader of the Friarsgate Residential Association. “If we don’t show concern, no one will.”
While Town Hall has joined in some efforts, including increased patrols, enforcement of housing standards and discussion of curfews, some say it’s not enough.
“Things don’t always move as fast as we would like,” Barrington said.
NEIGHBORHOOD IN ‘FLUX’
One of Friarsgate’s hallmarks is its diversity.
Homes are eclectic in style and mostly modest in size. Population varies in age and race.
The area is popular, since its residences are among the most affordable in Lexington-Richland 5 schools, home to some of the top classrooms in the state.
Those features drew Barrington to the area five years ago.
“It’s a fun neighborhood,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about keeping up with the Joneses.”
But he, like others, has found problems cropping up that need to be addressed.
Most troublesome, he said, are things like graffiti, fights and name-calling — none of them headline-making but bothersome and intimidating to residents.
A study of juvenile crime in Irmo this summer — requested by town leaders — reported 22 of 38 incidents happened in Friarsgate in the four months ending Aug. 31. Most of those were for traffic violations, fights and minor drug possession.
The neighborhood’s peace also has been disturbed by two shootings this year.
Irmo Mayor John Gibbons, who has lived in Friarsgate 23 years, said problems are isolated and sometimes exaggerated.
The steady turnover of homes is unsettling to some longtime residents, who worry about possible decline, he said.
“It is going through a flux, but I see it starting back up,” he said.
A dozen homes in the neighborhood are “chronic problems,” mainly with unkempt yards, town administrator John Hansonsaid.
Those problems usually are corrected when owners are contacted with the complaint, he said.
But a few are “harder to untangle,” Hanson said. Those involve owners who live out-of-town or are in repossession proceedings.
Longtime residents like Clevelyn Gates also regard the problems as scattered, saying Friarsgate overall is a great place to live.
“I want the neighborhood to look professional in appearance,” Gates said. “That lack could help bring the neighborhood down.”
NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE
Residents have gone to Town Hall and joined together in groups to press for attention to the problems.
The neighborhood association, launched less than a year ago, has met to discuss issues but so far is still trying to figure out the best way to solve them.In part, the requests for help have increased police presence in Friarsgate since spring.
Police chief Brian Buck said loitering, vandalism and related problems are no worse in Friarsgate overall than elsewhere in Irmo.
“Parts of it may require more attention than others,” he said.
The strongest conflict between town and neighborhood leaders is over demands for a curfew intended to keep youngsters at home late at night.
The idea, first proposed in March, is being promoted by several neighborhood leaders. One, Thomas “Bo” McDonald, made it a centerpiece of his recently unsuccessful bid for Town Council.
Town Council shelved the idea after most of its five members called it extreme and unworkable. It could lead to harassment, some say, and would be impractical, since so many exceptions would have to be allowed for work, medical emergencies, school events and more.
Town Councilman Barry A. Walker Sr. said a curfew is not the way to go. “It says you’re out of control, and that’s not the case there.”
Even some longtime Friarsgate residents don’t favor a curfew.
“You can’t be unreasonable with people,” said C.W. Durham, a former state trooper who has lived in the neighborhood 23 years. “It’s going a little far.”
In the interim, Friarsgate leaders are pressing for more street lights.
“Lighting is one of the best deterrents,” Barrington said.But reducing dark areas isn’t easy.
Unlike other communities, the townof Irmo doesn’t handle lights in neighborhoods. It is left up to homeowners to settle on location and pay for the service. And the Friarsgate neighborhood association doesn’t have agreement, or money, to move forward at this point.
Homeowner pride is the ultimate solution for many of the ills, Gibbons said.
“Lobbying Town Hall to correct problems is not as effective as folks taking ownership of these situations,” he said.
“Neighborhood pressure often is the answer.”
Reach Flach at (803) 771-8483 or tflach@thestate.com.
ABOUT FRIARSGATE
• At 2,700 homes, it is among the largest neighborhoods in the Midlands
• Nearly 70 percent of the neighborhood’s homes are in Irmo
• It was built in stages during the 1970 and 1980s. Locals refer to it as New Friarsgate and Old Friarsgate, depending on location.
• Diversity is the hallmark of its residences and residents.
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/living/community/13301360.htm
This all Started after the mall and section 8 came to Irmo.