Committee Welcomes New Commissioner

Martin Collins‘ retirement left the Department of Neighborhood Services with a significant leadership gap.

Art Dahlberg, from Richmond, VA has been tabbed as the person to replace Mr. Collins as the Commissioner of Neighborhood Services and clearly the committee was cautiously optimistic.  He expressed his understanding of the position he’s walking into saying that “I recognize I’m filling some very big shoes here”.  Alderman Bob Bauman asked about his philosophy regarding the demolishing of older housing stock and if he felt this was a good or bad choice.  Mr. Dahlberg indicated that it was to be used as a last resort saying “it is not a broad solution, it is a fine tool that we have to use”.  The committee approved his appointment and it will now go before the full Common Council.

Another item of note was the potential city land sale of 3427-3429 West Villard Avenue.  This land sale would allow the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation to move forward on a four-story mixed use development that would include the Villard Library moving in to the first floor of the new building.  In addition to the library the upper floors would include 47 affordable housing units targeted at “grandfamilies”.  The project will be developed by Gorman & Company utilizing low-income housing tax credits and new market tax credits.  This item was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.