During a recent Morgantown government meeting, community members voiced their concerns and aspirations regarding land reuse and the development of public spaces, particularly in the Greenmont neighborhood. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for action on properties currently marred by homelessness and neglect.

One resident emphasized the potential of a proposed park on Brockway in Pennsylvania, which is currently occupied by homeless encampments. They argued that transforming this area into a public park would benefit the community, especially as plans for the park have been in discussion since 2001. The speaker expressed frustration over the slow progress in acquiring the necessary properties, questioning the effectiveness of the current consulting efforts.

Joey James, a former co-chair of the Greenmont Neighborhood Association, echoed these sentiments, noting that the situation in the area has deteriorated since their last meeting. He urged the city to prioritize the acquisition and demolition of abandoned properties to create a community asset, as the ongoing issues negatively impact local residents.

Chris Bolen, the incoming co-chair of the Greenmont Neighborhood Association, pointed out a missed opportunity during a recent tax lien auction, where two significant properties went unsold. He stressed the importance of acting quickly to acquire these properties for community development.

Councilor Danielle Trumble highlighted potential funding issues for property acquisition and demolition, reiterating the council's commitment to the project. She called for improved communication between the council and the Land Reuse Agency to align their efforts and set clear priorities.

Community members, including Steven Prince and Scott Frederick, expressed their support for cleaning up the lower Greenmont area and transforming it into a vibrant community space. They emphasized the need for collaboration among city agencies to revitalize the neighborhood and attract investment.

Adelheid Shelton raised concerns about the lack of support from the city in addressing ongoing issues with homelessness and property neglect. She questioned the prolonged timeline for property acquisitions and urged for more efficient processes.

Overall, the meeting underscored a collective desire among residents for proactive measures to enhance their community through land reuse and the establishment of public parks, while also addressing the pressing challenges posed by homelessness and property blight.