Any improvement effort undertaken in the neighborhood must bring together a wide coalition of people, organizations, and agencies to address the most pressing problems confronting the neighborhood in order to stop the deterioration. Further, after the neighborhood is stabilized, community development efforts must focus on building upon the neighborhood's many strengths and improving the overall environment of Olivette Park. Because of the broad-based cooperation that exists in support of Olivette Park and its improvement efforts, community development efforts undertaken have a high chance of success. Over time, Olivette Park can become a model for other distressed neighborhoods in East St. Louis. The six program areas listed in the overall development goal were identified through the project's various data collection exercises and were confirmed by residents.
Subsequent chapters outline specific initiatives and policies for each program area.
This plan seeks to ensure that all Olivette Park residents have access to safe, affordable housing, and that the quality of the overall housing stock in the neighborhood is improved. This plan recommends programs that encourage and aid residents in making necessary home improvements which will stabilize the existing housing stock. The plan also identifies the structures in the neighborhood in need of demolition and outlines a method for ridding the neighborhood of derelict structures. In the long-term, projects are recommended that address rehabilitation of deteriorated structures in the neighborhood and construction of new housing. To improve the health and safety of all residents as well as improve the appearance of the neighborhood through a series of environmental improvement programs.