Celebrating 10 Years of Raising Awareness to Keep Phoenix Graffiti-Free | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/3008 | Neighborhood Services | | 2/1/2024 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3008/Graffiti Free Phoenix Newsroom Image.png | | Celebrating 10 Years of Raising Awareness to Keep Phoenix Graffiti-Free | <div class="ExternalClassCB2DC4AECB8043BEA7218C1BC7CC0ABD"><html><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><p>February 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Graffiti-Free Phoenix Awareness Month. While anti-graffiti education occurs year-round, the City of Phoenix highlights the issue in February to raise awareness about the negative effects of graffiti. The City is committed to creating a safe, clean, and beautiful environment for residents and encourages them to take an active role in reporting graffiti observed in their neighborhoods. </p><p>“We all play a part in keeping Phoenix clean and beautiful, and this Graffiti-Free Phoenix Awareness Month, I encourage residents to remain vigilant and committed to helping us remove graffiti around the city," said Mayor Kate Gallego. “Whether you are interested in resources to remove graffiti yourself or prefer one of our dedicated, professional teams assist you, the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department is here to help." </p><p><strong>Graffiti Busters </strong></p><p>Did you know that in most cases, the City will remove graffiti for free? In 2023, the Neighborhood Services Department's Graffiti Busters used over 10,000 gallons of paint and cleaned up more than 51,000 graffiti sites in Phoenix. Each day, they can efficiently cover or eliminate as many as 200 graffiti sites, without charging any fees to residents or businesses. </p><p>“The work that our Graffiti Busters do is incredibly important for our city. They work 7 days a week, responding to and tracking down reports of graffiti," said Neighborhood Services Department Director, Spencer Self. “By removing it quickly and efficiently, the Graffiti Busters are helping to maintain a sense of pride and safety in our community." </p><p><strong>See graffiti? Report it! </strong></p><p>Reporting graffiti is an important step to keeping Phoenix graffiti-free. Don't forget, graffiti is a crime. If you see it in action, call 911. If you notice graffiti, report it using one of three simple methods: </p><ul style="" class="" dir=""><li>Call: 602-534-4444 </li><li>Email: <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?e379ca9c4740bc41a0d223f39a2561e35e226a5ae826a4924bae30fcd607bc8b" target="_blank">blight@phoenix.gov </a></li><li>Online: myPHX311 <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?ab21473be339166b218449302688daae3a09a013ddb567b141cb698906f9846c" target="_blank">Phoenix.gov/myPHX311</a> </li></ul><p><br><strong>Be a Neighborhood Hero </strong><br><br>“We want the community to feel empowered to take action to keep their neighborhood beautiful," said Graffiti Busters program manager, Betsy Cable. “Residents can organize a community cleanup and the City will provide you with free color-matched paint and supplies to remove it on your own." <br><br>For more information on how to get involved and resources to make Phoenix graffiti-free, visit <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?c1a9130eaf0afd501999225716b20e473ec3612da8fe0fea633801739afddca3" target="_blank">Phoenix.gov/Graffiti</a>. </p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><p><br></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
City of Phoenix Launches Vacant Property Registry | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2966 | Neighborhood Services | | 1/2/2024 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2966/Newsroom Image.png | | City of Phoenix Launches Vacant Property Registry | <div class="ExternalClassBFEE1F5000D14EE4A7DDCEDFDD0D873D"><html>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The City of Phoenix’s Vacant Property Registry (VPR) is now open to the public. In a new ordinance passed by the Phoenix City Council last month, properties vacant for more than 30 days that meet the following criteria are now required to register with the Neighborhood Services Department:</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Non-residential properties</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Unimproved land that is 10,000 or more square feet</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Residential properties with 50 or more units</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The VPR takes an important step toward addressing the community’s need for increased communication with vacant property owners. Before establishing the VPR, the City faced challenges with locating property owners, especially those who reside out-of-state. The new ordinance addresses these challenges by requiring owners to register annually, provide contact information and report occupancy changes within 10 days. In addition, out-of-state owners are required to designate a local point of contact who can address issues promptly.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“This is a huge win for Phoenix neighborhoods,” said Neighborhood Services Department Director, Spencer Self. “The Vacant Property Registry will enable the City to respond more efficiently to issues like blight and crime and put us in direct contact with property owners to provide essential education and resources.”</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The Neighborhood Services Department aims to educate property owners about property maintenance requirements and available City resources by offering access to waivers and educational materials in the VPR portal. Some of those resources include:</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Authority to Arrest (ATA)</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Graffiti Removal Waiver</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Private Property Access Waiver</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Common Blight Violations</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“The Neighborhood Services Department is committed to partnering with residents and providing resources to help preserve and enhance Phoenix neighborhoods,” said Director Self.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Enforcement will begin on unregistered vacant properties in February 2024. With fines ranging from $500 to $2,500, the Neighborhood Services Department urges property owners to register as soon as possible. “We made the registration process very simple,” said Director Self. “The free, online portal is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.”</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The Vacant Property Registry is available now on myPHX311, the City of Phoenix’s online service portal.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">For more information, visit phoenix.gov/nsd/vacantpropertyregistry.</span>
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Neighborhood Services and VALLEYLIFE Celebrate Ribbon Cutting for New Healthy Prep Kitchen | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2937 | Neighborhood Services | | 11/17/2023 1:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2937/Valleylife Photo.png | | Neighborhood Services and VALLEYLIFE Celebrate Ribbon Cutting for New Healthy Prep Kitchen | <div class="ExternalClass441B295F36064DD8BCAAED7EDE0909D2"><html>
Today, The City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department and VALLEYLIFE, a non-profit that provides residential services, day activity centers, vocational services, and in-home services to Phoenix residents with disabilities, celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new healthy prep kitchen. <br><br>Funded by a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department, the new kitchen is located inside VALLEYLIFE’s existing facility and will be used to prepare healthy pre-packaged meal kits, as part of an effort to enhance the organization’s Eat Well Feel Great Nutrition Program. <br><br>“VALLEYLIFE’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities. Our first goal in achieving this mission is to ensure the health and safety of our members. One critical point of that goal is to provide healthy meals and nutrition. We are thankful for this opportunity to expand our nutrition program with this new kitchen,” said VALLEYLIFE President and CEO, Cletus Thiebeau. <br><br>"This project is an example of how we are able to work together to create meaningful change in our communities," said Neighborhood Services Department Director, Spencer Self. “The City of Phoenix is proud to partner with VALLEYLIFE with the help of CDBG funding to enhance the facility and increase access to healthy meals. This project is a testament to our department's commitment to partnering with the community to enhance, preserve and engage Phoenix neighborhoods.” <br><br>VALLEYLIFE’s new prep kitchen will serve 25 group homes, 12 of which reside in Phoenix.<p><br><br></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
NSD Celebrates CDBG-Funding at Work at Palo Verde Middle School | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2890 | Neighborhood Services | | 10/13/2023 7:00:00 AM | | https://youtu.be/HC-SuAXoY1g | NSD Celebrates CDBG-Funding at Work at Palo Verde Middle School | <div class="ExternalClass27A9A683CFB7407E94F18FEBB7ABF2E8"><html>
<p>The City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department recently celebrated the completion of the Washington Elementary District (WESD) Renovation of Existing Facilities project with a ribbon-cutting event at Palo Verde Middle School. Funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)/Community Development Block Grant Cares Act (CDBG-CV) funds through NSD's Covid Clean Public Facility and School Improvement Upgrade Program, the City of Phoenix was able to renovate four WESD schools, including the installation of nearly 100 HVAC units and new water filler and hand washing stations. <br></p>
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Celebrating New Lighting at Palomino Park | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2753 | Neighborhood Services | | 5/22/2023 11:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2753/Newsroom_NSD_101.png | | Celebrating New Lighting at Palomino Park | <div class="ExternalClass5532AE4B98064DC9AEBF63003983B0BC"><html>
<p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">The Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of 38 new LED lights at Palomino Park. </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"><br></span></p>
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<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">In partnership with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, NSD invested nearly $390,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to install new lighting, ensuring the parking lot, walkways and ball courts are safe, well-lit environments. The lighting project will also provide added safety benefits to neighboring facilities including Palomino Primary and Intermediate Schools and the Metropolitan Phoenix Ed Robson Family Branch Boys and Girls Club. </span>
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<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">The City recognizes that enhanced park lighting is a high priority for Phoenix neighborhoods and is investing nearly $2 million in park lighting this year.</span></p>
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Project Haven Construction Kickoff | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2747 | Neighborhood Services | | 5/15/2023 9:00:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/d0BYthyhH6U | Project Haven Construction Kickoff | <div class="ExternalClassA7CE6B80797B4C62A5105B798014938D"><html>
<p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>The City of Phoenix, in partnership with Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), is celebrating the start of construction at The Haven, a new facility that will serve as a first option for individuals experiencing homelessness over the age of 55 years old. The Phoenix City Council awarded $4 million of CARES Act funding to CASS for the renovation of the old Phoenix Inn to create The Haven, which will support approximately 170 seniors at a time. </p>Learn more about the City's Office of Homeless Solutions and efforts to address homelessness at phoenix.gov/solutions <br><br>
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Neighborhood Services Director recognized as one of the Most Admired Leaders for 2023 | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2745 | Neighborhood Services | | 5/10/2023 8:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2745/Newsroom_SpencerAward.png | | Neighborhood Services Director recognized as one of the Most Admired Leaders for 2023 | <div class="ExternalClassA90EFB67BB94457895801668B24EC5BC"><html>
<p>City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) Director, Spencer Self, will be one of 25 outstanding leaders to be recognized and celebrated at <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/event/169151/2023/most-admired-leaders-presented-by-arizona-bank-and-trust" target="_blank">Phoenix Business Journal's 14th Annual Most Admired Leaders event</a> on May 11 at the Phoenix Art Museum. The honorees were selected based on their contributions to the community, as well as their integrity, values, vision and commitment to excellence. </p>
<p>Along with his leadership skills, Self's collaborative mindset and commitment to improving the quality of life in Phoenix are attributes that have earned him a coveted spot in this year's roster of professionals. During the pandemic, his strong connections with local agencies helped support the City's efforts to quickly launch the Coronavirus Relief Fund Utility, Rent/Mortgage Assistance Program, which provided emergency assistance to eligible Phoenix residents experiencing financial hardships. As a result, NSD successfully distributed more than $29 million in Federal funds that assisted more than 6,000 Phoenix households with rent/mortgage and utility assistance. </p>
<p>“I am truly honored and humbled to receive this recognition," said Self. “My accomplishments are a reflection of the amazing team I have the opportunity to work with in <a href="/nsd" target="_blank">Neighborhood Services</a>, the support of community leaders who work tirelessly to better their neighborhoods, and the environment of excellence at the City of Phoenix."</p>
<p>Self was named NSD director in 2018 and currently is the youngest director to lead a city department in the City of Phoenix organization. He leads a team of about 200 staff members, who work to preserve and improve the physical, social and economic health of Phoenix neighborhoods through a variety of community programs. He oversees a $35 million budget, which includes the proper disbursement of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, as well as other Federal funds for housing rehabilitation and loan programs, and neighborhood revitalization programs. </p>
<p>Under his leadership, NSD will continue its mission to preserve, enhance and engage Phoenix neighborhoods to create a community with strong infrastructure, neighborhood cohesion, desirable appearance, safe environments and access to programs and resources. </p>
<p>This year's 25 Most Admired Leaders come from very diverse backgrounds and industries, ranging from nonprofits and financial institutions to medical institutions and local government. They will be honored at a special event at the Phoenix Art Museum sponsored by Arizona Bank & Trust. <br></p>
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Historical Society Unveils Mural Thanks to Neighborhood Grant | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2725 | Neighborhood Services | | 4/13/2023 6:45:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2725/20230407_121607.jpg | | Historical Society Unveils Mural Thanks to Neighborhood Grant | <div class="ExternalClass00EE359CB53A425099F36FDB785900C8"><html>
<a href="https://sunnyslopehistoricalsociety.org/" target="_blank">The Sunnyslope Historical Society</a> unveiled last week a bright and eye-catching mural on their building, bringing smiles to passers-by.<br><br>With grant funding assistance from Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department's (NSD) Love Your Block Program, members of the Sunnyslope Historical Society commissioned <a href="http://elitheartist.com/" target="_blank">local muralist, Eli Faria</a>, to create an art piece that features a large garden of yellow sunflowers, with the famous “S" Mountain in the background on one side of the Sunnyslope Historical Museum building. <br><br>“The meaning behind choosing the sunflowers was to signify the resilience of Sunnyslope," explained Rene Blain, a member of the Historical Society. Sunflowers are hearty plants and represent loyalty and longevity. “Many people may not know this, but (Sunnyslope) was actually here before Phoenix." <br><br>During a small unveiling presentation, Phoenix Councilwoman Debra Stark of District 3 thanked the Historical Society for their commitment to keeping the spirit of Sunnyslope alive.<br><br>“(The Society) really does so much to keep the history (of Sunnyslope) alive," Stark said. “This is one of the most special places in the entire city of Phoenix. I don't know what it is about Sunnyslope, but it is magical," she added, a sentiment she shares with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. <br><br>Blain hopes the new mural will make <a href="https://sunnyslopehistoricalsociety.org/about-us/" target="_blank">the Sunnyslope Historical Museum</a> a landmark for people to visit to learn more about the rich history of the area. Founded in 1989, the goal of the Historical Society is to preserve and educate the public on the history of Sunnyslope and its significance in the history of the city of Phoenix, but getting residents and visitors to stop by has been a challenge. <br><br><a href="/nsd/loveyourblock" target="_blank">NSD's Love Your Block grants</a>, supported by the <a href="https://www.gilariver.org/" target="_blank">Gila River Indian Community</a> and <a href="/publicworks/zero-waste" target="_blank">Phoenix Public Works</a>, allowed the Sunnyslope Historical Society to propose this art project as a fun and creative way to promote its Museum and attract the locals, young and old, as well as visitors. The Historical Society was granted $5,000 last summer, which was used to hire Faria, an artist beloved by this Sunnyslope community. In his art, Faria invokes his great influencers – Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Pollack – but also injects inspirations from graffiti artists and street art he's seen throughout his young career. What Faria came up with is a mural that's very Instagram-able, with vivid colors that can be easily spotted from the road. <br><br>This is Faria's fourth completed mural in the Sunnyslope area. His past works include the mural for Norton Vista Neighborhood Association, located on the corner of Hatcher and Cave Creek, also funded through the Love Your Block program, and the mural inside the Sunnyslope Youth Center as part of the grant from the Netflix show, On My Block. <br><br>With his art, Faria “hopes to inspire the minds of the youth, invigorate our culture and give back a little beauty to this world."<br><br>Visit the Sunnyslope Historical Museum and check out Faria's sunflower mural located at 737 E. Hatcher Road. <br><br>Check out <a href="https://fb.watch/jU3-9FDjA8/" target="_blank">the video</a> and visit the Sunnyslope Historical Museum to check out Faria's sunflower mural located at 737 E. Hatcher Road. <br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |