GIRARD Couple grow weary in fight to rid west side neighborhood of blight

Although it is zoned residential, it's a commercial area.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Richard and Karen Makar are tired of fighting an uphill battle to eliminate blight that has continuously crept into their neighborhood.
The 21/2-story home they bought 32 years ago at 209 S. Market St. is neat and well maintained.
So are many of the other homes in their west side neighborhood.
Mrs. Makar has kept records and photographs of the numerous times she has dealt with the municipal court, city zoning office and health department.
She's complained to mayors and the last six 3rd Ward councilmen.
As she reviews the litany of complaints she has made to keep her low- to moderate-income neighborhood from deteriorating, she takes on a Don Quixote-like character, fighting windmills.
"It's frustrating," Mrs. Makar said as she sat in the kitchen of her home with its country-style d & eacute;cor.
"We have a lot of money invested in our home. We'll be lucky to get half of what we have invested," she explained, noting they bought it for $15,000.
One nearby house has been on the market two years and gone through several real estate companies in an effort to sell it.
Commercial area
It appears the Makars are stuck in a neighborhood, but if Makar gets the transfer he wants as a machine repairman at a Delphi Packard Electric Systems plant in Rootstown, the "For Sale" sign will go up in their front yard.
"We're seriously considering putting our house up for sale in the spring and getting out of Girard," Mrs. Makar said.
Makar has lived in Girard all of his 54 years. His 51-year-old wife has lived here since she was 10.
"We're very much in love with our home," Mrs. Makar said, calling attention to her "wonderful neighbors."
"It bothers me immensely. It's sad to think you want to get out of a neighborhood because of the blight," she lamented.
Joanie Petrosky, broker and owner of Petrosky Real Estate, said the problem with the Market Street neighborhood is that although it is zoned residential, it's a commercial area.
Petrosky, who has been selling property for 27 years, said the average house is selling for $95,000 -- ranging from $15,900 to $350,000.
There are 89 houses up for sale in the city, a number that has remained constant despite financial problems in city government and the school district.
"I see people buying them and fixing them up," Petrosky said. "It hasn't been a drastic change."
"She is a very good neighborhood advocate," Mayor James J. Melfi said, noting Mrs. Makar complains to keep her neighborhood intact and not because she doesn't like a neighbor.
Administration action
Melfi said he is committed to improving the area because it's adjacent to the downtown.
The administration is applying for an Ohio Department of Development grant for distressed neighborhoods.
The target area is west of State Street and bounded by Hancock Street to the north and Gordon Street to the south.
It includes the Makars' neighborhood.
If approved, money will be used for new curbs, sidewalks and sewers.
The Makars have been asked to serve on an eight-member committee to help determine where the grant will be spent.
"I hope they don't move before that happens," Melfi said.
Melfi said his administration "has always responded" to Mrs. Makar's complaints, noting the city has hounded property owners through zoning regulations that include towing junk vehicles.
Considering the neighborhood is one of the oldest in the city and commercial property has encroached, it remains well maintained, he said.
Neighborhood concerns
Mrs. Makar says her home is worth more than $70,000 to them because of the improvements, but she doesn't have any idea how much it will bring.
Mrs. Makar doesn't think she's being picky. It's about more than what she terms "clutter bugs" who don't mow their grass, cut down weeds or set their garbage out at the curb.
The problem includes two vacant houses that aren't maintained and a nearby company that has salvage yards with a storage trailer.
She pointed to another business she believes is a hazard because of clutter and flammable paints.
Mrs. Makar says Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss told her he won't send his men into that building if flames break out because of the dangerous situation.
She called attention to one house that has had no siding for two years. Vinyl siding is now being installed.
Mrs. Makar used to go to city council to vent her concerns but stopped long ago.
"I quit going because I felt I got nowhere," she said. "I've tried everything."
yovich@vindy.com