Scott Neustel will lead HBA through challenge of new projects for funding
Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff
hillsider@sundopress.com

Caption:Scott Neustel, president of the Hillside Business Association, poses at his business the Ski Hut, 1032 E. 4th St. His father started the business 51 years ago. (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)

Scott Neustel, 2006- 2007 president of the Hillside Business Association (HBA), became an active member of the HBA after he saw what a difference street lamps along 4th Street made to the atmosphere of the neighborhood. Before the new streetlights were added a few years ago, the big picture windows of his business, Ski Hut, 1032 E. 4th St., were vandalized about twice a year. “I was so impressed with that project,” Neustel said, “I became more motivated.”
The Hillside Business Association encourages and facilitates additions and improvements along the 4th Street corridor and the Hillside neighborhood in general. Neustel said, “I believe in small business. You can’t run small business out of malls.” He said the 4th Street corridor lends itself to small businesses, which are specialized businesses with stand-alone structures. If the neighborhood is clean and safe, people will want to shop at these businesses.
“If the 4th Street corridor were to deteriorate, crime rates would go up and property values would lower.” He says a vibrant neighborhood is the key to prevention of crime. Whatever the HBA can do to add to the quality of life for the residents of the Hillside neighborhoods comes back to benefit the businesses and customers of the businesses.
Currently the HBA receives funding from charitable gaming run through the Twin’s Bar. Neustel said, “As of January the charitable gambling contract is up. Our income source will be from other projects. That will be a big challenge.” Neustel said the HBA does have some projects “in the works,” but declined to say what they are until deals are firm.
One new project the HBA uses for funding is the ownership of the building, which houses Ma and Pop’s 4th Street Market. The new owners of the market, Deyona and Jamar Kirk, pay rent to the HBA. There are also two apartments over the grocery store and the lower level of the building has two commercial spots. Neustel said it would be ideal if a catering service could rent part of the lower level to compliment the grocery store. An old house will be demolished to make room for parking.
“It’s easy to do business on 4th street right now,” said Neustel. It is the only two-way street above Superior Street. If people take ownership there will be less and less vandalism. One of the ways to take ownership is by removing graffiti right away. The HBA now has material to help people remove graffiti.
The HBA also has a financial interest in the Village Place Apartments on 5th Street. They have a 33 percent partnership with VP Development (Scott Vesterstein and Paul Vesterstein.) The HBA is authorized under the state of Minnesota as a community development corporation. Another project the HBA has completed is the remodeling of storefronts on the 500 block of East 4th Street and the bridgework over Chester Creek at 14th Avenue. The membership flyer says of the future, “Many more things need to be done: further improve traffic flow and parking, eliminate the graffiti and garbage, curb the growing gang related activity in the area, develop a bike path, create a desirable place for people to come to shop and live.
Membership in the HBA is $15 for individual residents and $50 for business. Meeting are held the third Wednesdays of the month at 12 noon at the Village Place Apartments. Serving on the board are: Tammy Gosline, Claudie Washington, Melissa Taylor, Mary Bjorklund, Jeff Fifield, Henry Banks, Michele Lebeau and Rod Raymond.