Prominent voices behind the Greek Row revitalization plan are gaining enthusiasm with the project’s progression.

Rena Cotsones, NIU’s executive director of community relations and a member of the Revitalization Task Force, said this meeting, as well as the overall plan, is a great chance for Greek Row residents to take a stand in efforts to improve the area.

“Residents control their own destinies,” Cotsones said. “There’s an ‘If not me, then who?’ thinking with residents that seems to indicate most of them feeling the responsibility to change things falls on the shoulders of someone else.

“NIU traditionally has dedicated students who want to improve their areas of living, and this is a wonderful chance for students and citizens alike to keep that tradition going.”

Some of the pinpoint topics that comprise the Greek Row Revitalization Plan include improving the lighting, providing an inclusive feeling of safety and making the facades of houses and yards more appealing.

“This is a comprehensive effort the city and the neighborhood should take to help restore pride in the neighborhood,” Cotsones said. “Various methods of appearance are basically up to the residents to decide. Lighting as well will be fixed with tree trimming and various cost-effective methods, but again, it is the resident’s duty to help improve the lighting and overall safety by installing more lights or keeping porch lights on more frequently.”

The driving force behind the entire plan was derived behind two factors: surveys and voiced concerns.

“Surveys asking residents about lighting issues were sent to one person for every dwelling in the Greek Row,” principle planner Russ Farnum said. “The potential for crime was highlighted as a major concern thanks to residents informing police. Because of this, we have decided to look at ways to improve parking, such as connecting parking lots so the police don’t lose valuable time maneuvering from street to street in the case of an emergency.”

Farnum added that a parking study, perhaps even a survey, could give the city and task forces a better idea of how to approach parking concerns.

Project finances would come from grant funds, Farnum said. However, since grants are specific and not simply money to be thrown about carelessly, finding money solely from funds may be a tedious task.

“Some things we can get done immediately with available resources, such as the lighting,” Farnum said. “But even if this plan is approved by the city council in mid-October, we can’t complete our goals within a day. So when that time comes, we will analyze all possibilities regarding money allocation.”

A misconception Farnum stressed was the idea that Greek Row is a magnet for crime.

“While safety concerns are there, the numbers don’t lie,” Farnum said. “Greek Row is not an unsafe place to live, and it is proven that most crimes are victimless ones that are alcohol-related.”

Cotsones agreed with Farnum.

“Perception of crime seems to be more than the actual reality of it all,” Cotsones said. “One crime occurs and immediately the place gets branded as such when, in fact, the actual crime numbers are low.”

Chris Juhl, University Programming and Activities adviser and also a member of the task force, said safety improvement is important.

“We simply want to make sure that at all times of the day or night that a resident isn’t afraid to walk down Greek Row,” he said.

An important force behind the revitalization plan is the cohesion between residents and the city.

“The city reached out and said the whole plan was excellent,” Cotsones said. “The city has empowered the resident with the ability to make changes and the city then extends its hand and offers to help in any way possible.”

The next step in the plan takes place at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 200 S. Fourth St., with the Planning Commission Review and Public Hearing.

The doors to this meeting are open to the public, allowing residents of the Greek Row area as well as other concerned residents of DeKalb to provide their input and recommendations. Star Poll