Transcript Document

Cherokee ComeUniTY HUB
Open-Space Infrastructure
for an Interactive Plaza
WHAT INNOVATION IN
HOW WE LIVE,
WORK, AND PLAY
TOGETHER WOULD
STRENGTHEN OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD?
The process started with this
questions on November 15, 2008
when Incarnate Word Foundation
welcomed neighborhood
supporters to an exciting “Open
Space” Brainstorming process. All
day long, people met and ideas
poured forth. At the end of the
day, three proposals were chosen
to move forward for voting.
For about two months until mid-January 2009 residents, businesses, and other stakeholders
of Benton Park West were invited to vote on which of three proposals they thought would
most benefit the Benton Park West neighborhood and surrounding area. Almost 200 people
participated in voting by one of three methods: voting at the neighborhood association
meeting; or voting by electronic ballot on www.cherokeestreetnews.org; or voting by paper
ballots which were hand-distributed to the entire neighborhood. The ComeUnity Hub
proposal was chosen to receive $25,000 to move forward.
“Sidewalk contacts are the
small change
from which a city’s
wealth of public life
may grow.”
–jane jacobs
Common space
Novel opportunities to meet and connect with
neighbors and visitors to Cherokee
&
Common pace
Changing the speed we live life -- playing
more, exploring more . . . . . . . in ways that
are better for our bodies & the environment
What is the Cherokee ComeUnity Hub?
Community-based design will transform a strategically-located
intersection into a plaza atmosphere. This built environment will
include shade structure, seating, and green space. On-site
programming will encourage community interaction through
music, dance, art, and play.
By developing a vibrant, energetic gathering place open to all, the
Community Hub will facilitate pedestrian traffic to local businesses
and conversations with neighbors in a safe, open locale. Visitors
will invited to join in!
As accessible opportunities to connect across cultures
increase, mutual respect will grow and preserve the diversity that is
the hallmark of the neighborhood.
Move-meant will become the nature of Cherokee.
What will it cost?
We have received a $25,000 Seed Grant from Incarnate
Word Foundation that will:
secure the lot,
support consistent project management, implement
temporary infrastructure and
simple greenspace,
and provide for a seasonal event series.
The project will occur in multiple phases that allow for growth in a
sustainable fashion over time as future funding becomes available, and
as the community’s needs are integrated by Participatory Design.
So… How do we do it?
>
assemble a work team and begin asking the right questions
The community responded enthusiastically to the project.
So far, the core planning team includes:
4 Architects
1 Master Gardener
1 Neighborhood small business owner
2 Community art center directors - programming specialists
3 Neighborhood Developers
1 infrastructure systems whiz
Community organizers
Artists -- painters, photographers, comic artist
Gravois Park, Benton Park, and Benton Park West neighbors
So…How do we do it?
>
assemble a work team and begin planning
> research, choose, and secure
a centrally-located LRA lot
PENDING
A city-held LRA lot requires the signature of approval from the
alderman of the associated ward. Alderman Ken Ortmann still
feels concern that this lot is not best suited for a community-held
plaza. As a representative of the people, he needs to hear strong
community support and a well-configured plan to feel good about
moving forward as a collaborator in this project.
After careful study of available properties, the overwhelming
concensus of the team, local business district, and nearby residents
is that the empty LRA lot @ the SE corner of Texas Ave & Cherokee
St will best serve the surrounding neighborhoods as the Cherokee
ComeUnity Hub.
How can we make it sustainable?
Red Brick Community Land Trust has offered to be the 501(c3)
umbrella organization that hosts the Hub.
Red Brick Community Land Trust is a local non-profit organization
which strives to create sustainable and diverse neighborhoods
that have access to resources and opportunities to achieve their goals.
This partnership will allow for continued grant-writing to cover
future programmatic costs.
http://www.redbrickclt.org/
Careful, clean design & inclusion in the routine CSBAfunded trash pick up will ensure a consistently litter-free site.
Strategies for ongoing management are being developed. The
need to create a strong plan for the future upkeep is understood.
Who will maintain this site? With what resources?
How can we make it safe?
"So-called 'undesirables’ are not the problem. It is the measures taken to
combat them that is the problem... The best way to handle the problem of
undesireables is to make the place attractive to everyone else.”
--William H. Whyte
It certainly won’t be less safe than it already is. ;)
Loitering, public drinking, drug deals currently occur in empty, uncared for spaces.
We want to offer more interesting alternatives and seek to engage new solutions to
old problems. Creating beauty and inviting neighbors to be in public view engaging
in positive activity will shift the perceived energy of the street.
Design criteria will include well lit, highly visible
spaces. Posted “open” hours will be enforced.
We take this question seriously and have opened dialogue with
businesses about other strategies to safeguard the HUB and
maintain its welcoming invitation for all who call Cherokee home
and our visitors.
Specific concerns voiced regarding use of this lot include:
1. “We need a commercial enterprise to build here.”
*Given the economic climate, locating a developer with capital to design to
historical specifications for a retail venture is unlikely.
*The plaza will be worth its weight in gold to the business district, contributing
far more in terms of human interest, safety, and programming than the
average $500 - $1000 yearly tax a business would add.
2. “Funding that originated in support of Benton Park West
….should stay in Benton Park West.”
*IWF supports the neighborhood as a whole and recognizes this location as
beneficial strategy to support BPW and the entire district
*A line down the middle of Cherokee Street is an arbitrary boundary which
issues of safety, community, and vitality flow through freely.
3. “This project would be better suited on a different LRA
…..like the one at Arsenal and Ohio.”
“Any place off of Cherokee, even by a block or two, would not receive near the
amount of unplanned use- the sort of sporadic and spontaneous gatherings that
little plazas are perfect for - that such a high-visibility space would.” - Eric Steins,
Cherokee Street News Blog
Even given these concerns, the community still feels
that this lot has the most potential and would like to
proceed. What are our options, taking into
consideration concerns while moving past planning
and into action?
WE PROPOSE AN EXPERIMENT:
We would like for the city:
To lease the LRA lot to the RBCLT, ASAP thru November 2009
To level and outfit the lot with water and electricity
We would love to:
Bring regular programming, create gardens, install temporary infrastructure
Engage the immediate stakeholders in the design process
Facilitate a formal evaluation at the end of the season
We propose interaction on this site as soon as possible.
2622 Cherokee Street
Corner lot means high visibility
Dormant dirt lot since Empire fell in ‘06
Convenient location bridges
East/West sides of Jefferson
History of successful community
interactions
Conceptual rendering by local architect Cipriano Medina invokes a simple,
lush green space with a spacious pavilion and active pedestrian traffic
Architect Jessica Deem imagines an inviting place for
conversation, lunchtime music, and bold public art.
Can you imagine a place where…..
People watching
Chess tournaments
Movie nights…
Bilingual story
hour for kids
Celebrating Holidays
Walking tours!
Sketching outside
Concerts
Salsa lessons
Picnics
Peace vigils
And: It’s been done.
Successfully.
In many places.
Throughout time.
http://www.pps.org/squares/info/squares_articles/squares_principles
Camp Martius, Detroit Michigan:
“A big attraction for everyone is to rub shoulders with all
the other people there.”
Brought “Five hundred million dollars of new investment”
"The quality of the space attracts everyone from rich to
poor. The programs are all family-oriented… Everyone is
there.”
Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, Oregon:
“The City's ‘living room.’”
What are the direct benefits of
the Cherokee ComeUnity Hub?
For a business owner –
The hub is a magnet to the vicinity, increasing pedestrian traffic flow.
For a resident home owner –
The hub increases property values and overall desirability for Cherokee as a
destination locale-- and makes it easier to meet neighbors.
For a neighborhood youth The hub gives something fun to do! Programming creates a lively
atmosphere and integrates young with old.
For STL tourists and shoppers –
The hub offers access to diversity & a unique place to relax & people-watch.
For all of us -The hub brings safety and beauty into our midst.
The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by {those} whose
horizons are limited by the obvious realities.
We need {people} who can dream of things that never were.
-John Keats
We welcome your feedback
&
participation.
Here’s how you can be involved:
Write a letter of support to Alderman Ken Ortmann
City Hall, Room 230 ----- 1200 Market Street -------- St. Louis, MO 63103
Come to planning potlucks and share your skills!
Give opinions @ www.cherokeestreetnews.org
For more info, contact project coordinators:
LYNDSEY SCOTT 217 898 3777
PAMELA WUCHER 314 706 5063