Mrs. Walit, a retired social worker and neighborhood activist, was on the institute's board at the time of her death.

Like her grandfather Bill Sayles, she then became a neighborhood activist.

Others say that poverty and other social problems make it harder for neighborhood activists to focus on preservation efforts.

During Young's last two administrations there was opposition among some neighborhood activists to these large construction projects.

The plan is being challenged by environmentalists and neighborhood activists.

As for the Jacobs hotel project, neighborhood activists have other plans for the site.

During Young's last two terms there he faced angry opposition from neighborhood activists.

Mr. Ward said that people see her "as the neighborhood activist who gets things done."

(Marine Park is not among the area being considered, but neighborhood activists argue that it should be.)

The focus of neighborhood activists has switched in recent years from preservation to invigorating the local retail scene.