One way to aggressively address problematic apartment owners is to try and attract a different breed of real estate investor.

Learning Links Centers is one such investment company that's gaining a whole lot of attention for the right reasons.

LH Today first reported about Learning Links Centers back in September. You can see that article here.

CEO Joe Killinger and COO George Pino were invited to the meeting yesterday and were given the opportunity to address the audience.

“Our model is really about creating a village,” said Killinger. “In a village, people know each other and respect each other and are proud of their surroundings.

"In the end, we believe that the work we do is not only socially responsible but a good sound business model.”

Learning Links Centers has a great story to tell. It's one that we hope continues to grow investors like Joe Killinger and George Pino, who are hard to come by, to say the least.

So, what else can be done to help with the problems facing Forest and Audelia? In addition to addressing the issues surrounding certain apartment complexes, a new recreation center would be a huge win for the area.

Many children and teenagers have no place to go once the school day ends. After-school programs at area elementary schools have long waiting lists, so without more infrastructure, like a recreation center, many of these kids simply have nothing to do after school. You don't need much of an imagination to understand what kinds of problems this can create.

The next roadblock that needs addressing is a matter of law, according to former District 10 Councilwoman, Donna Halstead.

“We have a number of properties in this area that were purchased with state housing bonds,” explained Halstead. “There is a provision in the state legislation that says if you build or buy with those funds, the property has to remain [in place] for 30 years. We are sitting here with property owners who are bleeding this place dry.”

Halstead continued, “I would urge one of the committees to find out how to change the language in the law that says if the police call for Chapter 54 proceedings on a property, the state can remove the requirements that says we can’t touch it. Somehow, we have to deal with this problem in the next state session.”

Mayor Leppert added his thoughts. “I think this is terrific. There are two characteristics that always come into play when things get accomplished - passion and partnering. The man leading the charge on this certainly has the passion."

“Now we need to find ways to find the ingenuity and the skills to get things done,” Leppert continued. “We need to get all the pieces together and solve the problem with a team effort. We’ll get there.”

In closing the meeting, Councilman Allen promised action.

“What’s the next step? I’m going to put together a group of people to move this thing forward and become an example for the rest of the city. We are going to do it one area at a time, and it’s going to start right here.”

LH Today will stay with the story and continue to bring updates on the progress of this initiative.