Location: Lowell, MA
Website: lowellplan.org
The Lowell Plan, Inc. was established as a nonprofit economic development organization in 1980. For 30 years, the Lowell Plan has sustained constructive and productive dialogue among the city’s key leaders in business, government, education, and community development. Visitors from around the country and the world have asked how the city has become a model of urban revitalization. They want to know the formula. In its simplest terms, the answer is that Lowell’s public and private leaders have maintained an ongoing dialogue that has yielded practical responses to the challenges and opportunities facing the city.
The formula sounds simple, but it was revolutionary at the outset. The Lowell Plan created a neutral ground where public and private sector officials could speak candidly and collaborate on priority issues. Through the years the names and faces have changed, but the board’s structure and reputation for getting results ensure that the pieces keep coming together month after month.
The Lowell Plan has shown itself to be bold, versatile, and effective from funding the American City Corp.’s Downtown Master Plan and the Lowell Model for Educational Excellence in the early years to undertaking the feasibility study for the Tsongas Arena and the market analysis for a minor-league baseball team in the middle years—to recently funding the Urban Land Institute and Creative Economy Studies and administering the National Park’s trolley extension project. Click on past projects for a listing of the Lowell Plan’s involvement in Lowell since 1980.
Going forward, the Lowell Plan is committed to fostering a dialogue that will take Lowell well into the 21st century as a city with a productive and sustainable economy; lifelong educational opportunities; and vibrant and diverse cultural offerings. With a belief in the value of community service, the Lowell Plan make civic engagement a priority through its support of the leadership program “Public Matters.”
Lowell shines when the community’s best talent, backed by resources, is put to work to achieve common objectives. As we have done so often in our 30-year history, the Lowell Plan will work to achieve consensus on future courses of action to ensure the city’s ongoing revitalization.
Lowell will be the best city of its size in America. The Lowell Plan commits its resources to this goal, which will be achieved through partnership with the public sector in a renewed commitment to dialogue followed by action.
Showing posts with label Revitalization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Revitalization. Show all posts
Monday, December 5, 2016
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Levitt Foundation
Location: Nationwide
Website: levitt.org
The Levitt program is transformative. Abandoned, blighted places—whether a neglected and gang-infested park, a dormant downtown, a vacant lot or a toxic brownfield—are today vibrant, welcoming destinations where families, friends and people of all ages and backgrounds gather to discover new worlds, and each other, through free, live music.
Levitt’s free concerts, easily accessible locations and open lawn settings foster social interactions among people of all ages and backgrounds—strengthening the social fabric of our cities. There’s no front row, no back row, just a grassy open lawn filled with friends dancing, children playing and neighbors picnicking. Levitt venues are places where people relax and enjoy the company of others. Where we embrace our shared humanity.
At Levitt, we believe the arts aren’t a luxury, but a basic human need, just as essential as food and shelter. Studies show that frequent engagement with the arts has remarkably positive effects on our individual well-being, as well as society as a whole. However, the average American’s ability to access the arts is dwindling. High premiums are placed on cultural activities like going to a museum or experiencing a live concert.
Levitt concerts feature first-rate, critically acclaimed artists free of charge. This enables people from all walks of life—many of whom could not afford the cost of a concert for themselves or their families—to have those meaningful cultural experiences essential to a healthy, happy life. Both permanent Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards are community-driven, inspiring engaged citizens and civic leadership to come together and commit to creating a meaningful impact in their city. Once a Levitt location opens, people from throughout the community are invested in the success of the concert series—from concertgoers and volunteers to community partners and local sponsors. At the helm is a local nonprofit, either Friends of Levitt for signature Levitt venues or the local organization presenting Levitt AMP, mobilizing support for the concert series and driving community engagement.
Why We Matter:
Through both permanent Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards, Levitt harnesses the power of free, live music to strengthen American community life one city, and one concert, at a time. The impact of the Levitt program goes beyond the free concerts. Levitt demonstrates the power of creative placemaking—the integration of arts and culture into communities to spark economic growth, strengthen social bonds and enhance overall quality of life. Below are just some of the ways the Levitt program impacts communities:
Green spaces are reclaimed.
Neglected public spaces are activated.
Local economies are given a boost.
Communities are safer.
Social and economic barriers are broken.
Website: levitt.org
The Levitt program is transformative. Abandoned, blighted places—whether a neglected and gang-infested park, a dormant downtown, a vacant lot or a toxic brownfield—are today vibrant, welcoming destinations where families, friends and people of all ages and backgrounds gather to discover new worlds, and each other, through free, live music.
Levitt’s free concerts, easily accessible locations and open lawn settings foster social interactions among people of all ages and backgrounds—strengthening the social fabric of our cities. There’s no front row, no back row, just a grassy open lawn filled with friends dancing, children playing and neighbors picnicking. Levitt venues are places where people relax and enjoy the company of others. Where we embrace our shared humanity.
At Levitt, we believe the arts aren’t a luxury, but a basic human need, just as essential as food and shelter. Studies show that frequent engagement with the arts has remarkably positive effects on our individual well-being, as well as society as a whole. However, the average American’s ability to access the arts is dwindling. High premiums are placed on cultural activities like going to a museum or experiencing a live concert.
Levitt concerts feature first-rate, critically acclaimed artists free of charge. This enables people from all walks of life—many of whom could not afford the cost of a concert for themselves or their families—to have those meaningful cultural experiences essential to a healthy, happy life. Both permanent Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards are community-driven, inspiring engaged citizens and civic leadership to come together and commit to creating a meaningful impact in their city. Once a Levitt location opens, people from throughout the community are invested in the success of the concert series—from concertgoers and volunteers to community partners and local sponsors. At the helm is a local nonprofit, either Friends of Levitt for signature Levitt venues or the local organization presenting Levitt AMP, mobilizing support for the concert series and driving community engagement.
Why We Matter:
Through both permanent Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards, Levitt harnesses the power of free, live music to strengthen American community life one city, and one concert, at a time. The impact of the Levitt program goes beyond the free concerts. Levitt demonstrates the power of creative placemaking—the integration of arts and culture into communities to spark economic growth, strengthen social bonds and enhance overall quality of life. Below are just some of the ways the Levitt program impacts communities:
Green spaces are reclaimed.
Neglected public spaces are activated.
Local economies are given a boost.
Communities are safer.
Social and economic barriers are broken.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Blights out
Location: New Orleans, LA
Website: blightsout.org
Blights Out is a collaborative and creative initiative to unite residents, artists, architects, and organizers in the design of a new, inclusive model for development. Our experiential method of “performing architecture” guides us through the purchase, design, and restoration of a blighted structure into a cultural resource center that will seed creative action around issues of blight, disinvestment, and housing. Blights Out will partner with a local Community Land Trust as the cultural organizing arm of the permanently affordable housing movement to share the tools and inspiration for New Orleans residents to build the destinies of their own neighborhoods.
Our objectives are:
- To purchase and restore a blighted property in the Lower Mid-City/ Tremé neighborhood transforming it into functional “social sculpture”: a multipurpose community cultural resource center and socio- economic asset, which will serve at the “mothership” hub of Blights Out’s creative output.
- To align New Orleans’ traditional modes of cultural organizing with today’s most pressing concerns. We believe that the Social Aid nd Pleasure Club is a strong model that can be employed in new terrain. As such, we are using art tofacilitate civic engagement with blight, disinvestment, and housing through programming that draws on New Orleans’traditions of performance, storytelling, and community organizing.
- To partner with a local Community Land Trust (CLT)to organize educational materials and programming on alternative development models, including the CLT.
- To record, visualize, and amplify the history of the neighborhood.
- To document our process and present it as a replicable model for action through the publication of a toolkit that will consolidate scattered resources on housing, lending, and blight remediation in New Orleans, thus serving an unmet need identified at the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center 2015 Annual Fit for King Conference.
Blights Out produces public art inspired by neighborhood stories, architecture, and history, culled from the multi-disciplinary research and critical interactive strategies that we employ.
Blights Out is a collaborative process, involving residents, artists, architects, and organizers, at all stages of conception and implementation.
Our institutional partners include: the National Organization of Minority Architects; Press Street; Newcomb Art Museum at Tulane University; Junebug Productions; New Orleans Master Crafts Guild; Prospect New Orleans; Loyola Law School Human Rights Clinic; Creative Capital; Justice and Beyond Coalition and The St. Roch Community Church. Economic models and development schemes have been perfected by maximizing profit at the expense of people.” “The American Dream is an individual vision incompatible with collective needs.” “Artists will always hasten gentrification.” We intend to deconstruct these truisms and prove them false through the design of an actionable model for community-powered neighborhood development.
Website: blightsout.org
Blights Out is a collaborative and creative initiative to unite residents, artists, architects, and organizers in the design of a new, inclusive model for development. Our experiential method of “performing architecture” guides us through the purchase, design, and restoration of a blighted structure into a cultural resource center that will seed creative action around issues of blight, disinvestment, and housing. Blights Out will partner with a local Community Land Trust as the cultural organizing arm of the permanently affordable housing movement to share the tools and inspiration for New Orleans residents to build the destinies of their own neighborhoods.
Our objectives are:
- To purchase and restore a blighted property in the Lower Mid-City/ Tremé neighborhood transforming it into functional “social sculpture”: a multipurpose community cultural resource center and socio- economic asset, which will serve at the “mothership” hub of Blights Out’s creative output.
- To align New Orleans’ traditional modes of cultural organizing with today’s most pressing concerns. We believe that the Social Aid nd Pleasure Club is a strong model that can be employed in new terrain. As such, we are using art tofacilitate civic engagement with blight, disinvestment, and housing through programming that draws on New Orleans’traditions of performance, storytelling, and community organizing.
- To partner with a local Community Land Trust (CLT)to organize educational materials and programming on alternative development models, including the CLT.
- To record, visualize, and amplify the history of the neighborhood.
- To document our process and present it as a replicable model for action through the publication of a toolkit that will consolidate scattered resources on housing, lending, and blight remediation in New Orleans, thus serving an unmet need identified at the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center 2015 Annual Fit for King Conference.
Blights Out produces public art inspired by neighborhood stories, architecture, and history, culled from the multi-disciplinary research and critical interactive strategies that we employ.
Blights Out is a collaborative process, involving residents, artists, architects, and organizers, at all stages of conception and implementation.
Our institutional partners include: the National Organization of Minority Architects; Press Street; Newcomb Art Museum at Tulane University; Junebug Productions; New Orleans Master Crafts Guild; Prospect New Orleans; Loyola Law School Human Rights Clinic; Creative Capital; Justice and Beyond Coalition and The St. Roch Community Church. Economic models and development schemes have been perfected by maximizing profit at the expense of people.” “The American Dream is an individual vision incompatible with collective needs.” “Artists will always hasten gentrification.” We intend to deconstruct these truisms and prove them false through the design of an actionable model for community-powered neighborhood development.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Legacy Cities Partnership
Location: Nationwide
Website: legacycities.org
The Legacy Cities Partnership aims to establish a framework for the revitalization of legacy cities, improve the community of practice working on these issues, and change the policies that govern practice in these cities. The Partnership was founded by The American Assembly, the J. Max Bond Center on Design for the Just City, and the Center for Community Progress.
We believe that these cities can thrive once again if the assets, energy, capacity and love for these places at the local level can be nurtured by effective shifts in public policy, coordinated advocacy, mutual learning about what works, and careful, strategic implementation.
Website: legacycities.org
The Legacy Cities Partnership aims to establish a framework for the revitalization of legacy cities, improve the community of practice working on these issues, and change the policies that govern practice in these cities. The Partnership was founded by The American Assembly, the J. Max Bond Center on Design for the Just City, and the Center for Community Progress.
We believe that these cities can thrive once again if the assets, energy, capacity and love for these places at the local level can be nurtured by effective shifts in public policy, coordinated advocacy, mutual learning about what works, and careful, strategic implementation.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Build a Better Block
Location: Nationwide
Website: betterblock.org
The Better Block project started in April, 2010, when a group of community organizers, neighbors, and property owners gathered together to revitalize a single commercial block in an underused neighborhood corridor.
The area was filled with vacant properties, wide streets, and few amenities for people who lived within walking distance. The group brought together all of the resources from the community and converted the block into a walkable, bikeable neighborhood destination for people of all ages complete with bike lanes, cafe seating, trees, plants, pop-up businesses, and lighting.
The project was developed to show the city how the block could be revived and improve area safety, health, and economics if ordinances that restricted small business and multi-modal infrastructure were removed. Since that time, Better Block projects have been developed throughout the World with many of the temporary infrastructure improvements and businesses made permanent.
The Better Block is an open-sourced project that is free to re-use and build upon. This site is developed to provide help for communities who wish to build their own Better Blocks complete with news, tools, and other resources anyone may need to help rapidly revitalize neighborhoods.
We’ve found it’s best to address the following four areas when developing a Better Block, which we will break down in greater depth.
Safety (Real and Perceived)–
First and foremost, if an area feels unsafe then everything breaks down. Whether it be businesses, schools, or neighborhood revitalization, the key to changing a place is addressing its perceived safety. When approaching blocks, we ask the questions:
Does it feel safe to cross the street?
Does it feel safe to stand on the sidewalk?
Does the area have hidden corners or large obstacles that reduce open sightlines?
Do the businesses have bars on the windows or opaque windows?
Our goal is to address each of these questions and find ways to improve the area rapidly.
Shared Access – The next goal we focus on is looking at ways to bring more people into the area by various modes of transportation.
We ask the questions:
Do pedestrians have easy and clear access to the area?
Do bicycles feel welcome in the area?
Is the area easily accessible from neighborhoods?
Are there way finding signs that direct people into and out of the area?
Are there amenities that allow people to linger in the space (seating, tables, etc.)?
Stay Power – How can we encourage people to visit the area and have them linger, and invite their friends?
Are there food options on the block?
Are there places to eat outdoors?
Are there maps, bulletin boards, games, or other amenities that encourage people to linger?
Is the identity of the area prominent (arts district, cultural district, historic area)?
Lastly, we look at amenities that create invitations for children, seniors, and dog owners on a block. These groups tend to be indicators of a healthy environment that feels welcoming and attracts other people.
Website: betterblock.org
The Better Block project started in April, 2010, when a group of community organizers, neighbors, and property owners gathered together to revitalize a single commercial block in an underused neighborhood corridor.
The area was filled with vacant properties, wide streets, and few amenities for people who lived within walking distance. The group brought together all of the resources from the community and converted the block into a walkable, bikeable neighborhood destination for people of all ages complete with bike lanes, cafe seating, trees, plants, pop-up businesses, and lighting.
The project was developed to show the city how the block could be revived and improve area safety, health, and economics if ordinances that restricted small business and multi-modal infrastructure were removed. Since that time, Better Block projects have been developed throughout the World with many of the temporary infrastructure improvements and businesses made permanent.
The Better Block is an open-sourced project that is free to re-use and build upon. This site is developed to provide help for communities who wish to build their own Better Blocks complete with news, tools, and other resources anyone may need to help rapidly revitalize neighborhoods.
We’ve found it’s best to address the following four areas when developing a Better Block, which we will break down in greater depth.
Safety (Real and Perceived)–
First and foremost, if an area feels unsafe then everything breaks down. Whether it be businesses, schools, or neighborhood revitalization, the key to changing a place is addressing its perceived safety. When approaching blocks, we ask the questions:
Does it feel safe to cross the street?
Does it feel safe to stand on the sidewalk?
Does the area have hidden corners or large obstacles that reduce open sightlines?
Do the businesses have bars on the windows or opaque windows?
Our goal is to address each of these questions and find ways to improve the area rapidly.
Shared Access – The next goal we focus on is looking at ways to bring more people into the area by various modes of transportation.
We ask the questions:
Do pedestrians have easy and clear access to the area?
Do bicycles feel welcome in the area?
Is the area easily accessible from neighborhoods?
Are there way finding signs that direct people into and out of the area?
Are there amenities that allow people to linger in the space (seating, tables, etc.)?
Stay Power – How can we encourage people to visit the area and have them linger, and invite their friends?
Are there food options on the block?
Are there places to eat outdoors?
Are there maps, bulletin boards, games, or other amenities that encourage people to linger?
Is the identity of the area prominent (arts district, cultural district, historic area)?
Lastly, we look at amenities that create invitations for children, seniors, and dog owners on a block. These groups tend to be indicators of a healthy environment that feels welcoming and attracts other people.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Flint Public Art Project
Location: Flint, MI
Website: www.flintpublicartproject.com
We organize workshops and temporary installations to inspire residents to reimagine the city, reclaim vacant and underutilized buildings and lots, and use innovative tools to steer Flint's long-range planning.
We support collaboration among local residents and organizations as well as with leading artists, architects, planners and community organizers from around the world, connecting Flint to regional, national and global movements to revitalize neighborhoods and cities through art and design.
We will document and amplify the many ways local residents, businesses and institutions are transforming Flint and its public image and identity, and will broadcast this new story to audiences throughout the city and the world.
Executive Director Stephen Zacks is an internationally recognized architecture and urbanism reporter, theorist and cultural producer based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and a native of Flint, Michigan. Co-founder of the Bring to Light–Nuit Blanche New York festival, he is currently writing Beautiful Ruin: The Generation that Transformed New York, 1967-1986,a nonfiction narrative about New York during the mid-70s fiscal crisis
Director of Programs Jerome Chou is an urban planner and landscape architect. Previously he was Director of Programs for the Design Trust for Public Space, where he led projects to retain garment factories in Midtown Manhattan and to expand urban agriculture throughout New York City. He also has worked for the Baltimore City Planning Department, as a community organizer for ACORN, and for the nonprofit book publisher The New Press.
Architect-in-residence Andrew Perkins recently completed a collaborative Master's thesis project at the University at Buffalo, which transformed an abandoned house into his year-long off-the-grid home, using only waste materials. Focusing on areas of blight, depopulation, and economic tension, he uses waste materials as the common denominator to transcend social and financial gaps. His work with Flint Public Art Project involves transforming the long-vacant Spencer's Mortuary into a cooperative art space and model for material reuse.
James Andrews is an artist, educator, organizer, curator, and arts producer based in New York City. His work involves exploring new forms of social organization and experimental groups. Prior to studying systems approaches to art and collaboration with Paul Ryan at The New School, Andrews was artist in residence at the Banlozi Camp for Refugees in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In 2003 he co-produced Art, Circuitry, and Ecology, a conference at the City University of New York Graduate Center and Berkeley Hall of Science, honoring the anthropologist Gregory Bateson. Andrews has exhibited, taught, performed, and organized extensively, including shows and events at Postmasters Gallery, Sculpture Center, the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABC No Rio, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Deitch Projects, and the Queens Museum. Andrews is a founding member of Nsumi Collective. Nsumi creates collaborative artwork that combines fine art, architecture, community engagement and experimental design. They produce and participate in exhibitions and events, conduct research on public art, pedagogy and emerging collaborative practices. Andrews has organized numerous public workshops and lectures on topics such as formal decentralization, swarm intelligence and emerging forms of civic protest with the Museum of Arts and Design, Storefront for Art and Architecture, School of the Future, and Creative Time as a part of the Living as Form show, with Trade School NYC.
His collaborative work has been covered by NHK TV (Japan), The New Yorker, Metro NY, Total Theater Magazine, Archinect, the New York Times, Art News, Waging Non-Violence, and The Economist.
Website: www.flintpublicartproject.com
We organize workshops and temporary installations to inspire residents to reimagine the city, reclaim vacant and underutilized buildings and lots, and use innovative tools to steer Flint's long-range planning.
We support collaboration among local residents and organizations as well as with leading artists, architects, planners and community organizers from around the world, connecting Flint to regional, national and global movements to revitalize neighborhoods and cities through art and design.
We will document and amplify the many ways local residents, businesses and institutions are transforming Flint and its public image and identity, and will broadcast this new story to audiences throughout the city and the world.
Executive Director Stephen Zacks is an internationally recognized architecture and urbanism reporter, theorist and cultural producer based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and a native of Flint, Michigan. Co-founder of the Bring to Light–Nuit Blanche New York festival, he is currently writing Beautiful Ruin: The Generation that Transformed New York, 1967-1986,a nonfiction narrative about New York during the mid-70s fiscal crisis
Director of Programs Jerome Chou is an urban planner and landscape architect. Previously he was Director of Programs for the Design Trust for Public Space, where he led projects to retain garment factories in Midtown Manhattan and to expand urban agriculture throughout New York City. He also has worked for the Baltimore City Planning Department, as a community organizer for ACORN, and for the nonprofit book publisher The New Press.
Architect-in-residence Andrew Perkins recently completed a collaborative Master's thesis project at the University at Buffalo, which transformed an abandoned house into his year-long off-the-grid home, using only waste materials. Focusing on areas of blight, depopulation, and economic tension, he uses waste materials as the common denominator to transcend social and financial gaps. His work with Flint Public Art Project involves transforming the long-vacant Spencer's Mortuary into a cooperative art space and model for material reuse.
James Andrews is an artist, educator, organizer, curator, and arts producer based in New York City. His work involves exploring new forms of social organization and experimental groups. Prior to studying systems approaches to art and collaboration with Paul Ryan at The New School, Andrews was artist in residence at the Banlozi Camp for Refugees in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In 2003 he co-produced Art, Circuitry, and Ecology, a conference at the City University of New York Graduate Center and Berkeley Hall of Science, honoring the anthropologist Gregory Bateson. Andrews has exhibited, taught, performed, and organized extensively, including shows and events at Postmasters Gallery, Sculpture Center, the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABC No Rio, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Deitch Projects, and the Queens Museum. Andrews is a founding member of Nsumi Collective. Nsumi creates collaborative artwork that combines fine art, architecture, community engagement and experimental design. They produce and participate in exhibitions and events, conduct research on public art, pedagogy and emerging collaborative practices. Andrews has organized numerous public workshops and lectures on topics such as formal decentralization, swarm intelligence and emerging forms of civic protest with the Museum of Arts and Design, Storefront for Art and Architecture, School of the Future, and Creative Time as a part of the Living as Form show, with Trade School NYC.
His collaborative work has been covered by NHK TV (Japan), The New Yorker, Metro NY, Total Theater Magazine, Archinect, the New York Times, Art News, Waging Non-Violence, and The Economist.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Main Street Matters
Location: Nationwide
Website: www.paintwhatmatters.com
Benjamin Moore, North America's most respected interior and exterior paint manufacturer and color authority, announced its biggest initiative ever to revitalize communities across North America through the launch of "Main Street Matters." The campaign asks consumers around the country to cast their vote online for which 20 Main Streets should be revitalized of the more than 100 North American cities nominated.
The effort will be undertaken with the help of multiple partner organizations around the country, including Make It Right, a long-time partner of Benjamin Moore that was founded by actor-philanthropist Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt will be lending his voice in support of the effort that Benjamin Moore is undertaking with Main Street Matters.
In addition to partner organizations, this effort will be brought to life with local Benjamin Moore dealers and in conjunction with local municipalities, small businesses and local Chambers of Commerce. The effort will begin this summer and the work on repainting these Main Streets will be completed over the next year.
"Our Main Streets are the vital hubs of our communities - and Benjamin Moore and our network of independent dealers have always been integral parts of Main Street," said David Melançon, Chief Marketing Officer of Benjamin Moore. "This investment we're making in communities around North America is core to our business and to who we are; Main Streets make us who we are and we're proud to honor that with this effort.
Benjamin Moore will not only provide the paint and supplies needed for façades, porches, railings, shutters and other exterior building trims, but its color experts will consult on the best choices to enhance the architectural style, regional influences and historic references in each community.
Skilled professional painters, many of them members of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, will be hired, putting another segment of local business to work along with the local Benjamin Moore retailer who will be mixing the paints that are used.>The communications portion of "Main Street Matters", which allows local businesses and community members to tell their stories, includes not only the online component, but also is being supported by an aggressive advertising program.
> A mix of national and local market TV, radio, online and print ads will hit North America starting in May as part of the company's overall increase in marketing, which is up 61% compared to the previous year.
Voting began at 12:00 a.m. EST on May 16, 2013 and will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on June 30, 2013. Benjamin Moore will post the final list of Main Streets and towns to be repainted in July.
Website: www.paintwhatmatters.com
Benjamin Moore, North America's most respected interior and exterior paint manufacturer and color authority, announced its biggest initiative ever to revitalize communities across North America through the launch of "Main Street Matters." The campaign asks consumers around the country to cast their vote online for which 20 Main Streets should be revitalized of the more than 100 North American cities nominated.
The effort will be undertaken with the help of multiple partner organizations around the country, including Make It Right, a long-time partner of Benjamin Moore that was founded by actor-philanthropist Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt will be lending his voice in support of the effort that Benjamin Moore is undertaking with Main Street Matters.
In addition to partner organizations, this effort will be brought to life with local Benjamin Moore dealers and in conjunction with local municipalities, small businesses and local Chambers of Commerce. The effort will begin this summer and the work on repainting these Main Streets will be completed over the next year.
"Our Main Streets are the vital hubs of our communities - and Benjamin Moore and our network of independent dealers have always been integral parts of Main Street," said David Melançon, Chief Marketing Officer of Benjamin Moore. "This investment we're making in communities around North America is core to our business and to who we are; Main Streets make us who we are and we're proud to honor that with this effort.
Benjamin Moore will not only provide the paint and supplies needed for façades, porches, railings, shutters and other exterior building trims, but its color experts will consult on the best choices to enhance the architectural style, regional influences and historic references in each community.
Skilled professional painters, many of them members of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, will be hired, putting another segment of local business to work along with the local Benjamin Moore retailer who will be mixing the paints that are used.>The communications portion of "Main Street Matters", which allows local businesses and community members to tell their stories, includes not only the online component, but also is being supported by an aggressive advertising program.
> A mix of national and local market TV, radio, online and print ads will hit North America starting in May as part of the company's overall increase in marketing, which is up 61% compared to the previous year.
Voting began at 12:00 a.m. EST on May 16, 2013 and will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on June 30, 2013. Benjamin Moore will post the final list of Main Streets and towns to be repainted in July.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
St. Claude Main Street
Location: New Orleans, LA
Website: swww.stclaude.org
St. Claude Main Street is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, run by an all-volunteer board of community members, whose mission is to promote and support an economically thriving and culturally rich crossroads of historic communities.
We work within the larger St. Claude Cultural District, including the neighborhoods of St. Roch, Bunny Friend, Bywater, and the Faubourg Marigny, with specific focus on the development of St. Claude Avenue from Elysian Fields to Poland Ave.
The development of St. Claude Avenue continues to provide both challenges and inspiring opportunities for our diverse and historic community. As a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, St. Claude Main Street (St. Claude Main Street) is dedicated to supporting community and economic development along our designated portion of the corridor.
We believe that the best way to ensure equitable, sustainable and prosperous development is by engaging our community and empowering stakeholders to participate in revitalization efforts. We have a lot of work to do, but we cannot think of a better community work in and with. We look forward to seeing you on St. Claude Avenue soon.
Website: swww.stclaude.org
St. Claude Main Street is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, run by an all-volunteer board of community members, whose mission is to promote and support an economically thriving and culturally rich crossroads of historic communities.
We work within the larger St. Claude Cultural District, including the neighborhoods of St. Roch, Bunny Friend, Bywater, and the Faubourg Marigny, with specific focus on the development of St. Claude Avenue from Elysian Fields to Poland Ave.
The development of St. Claude Avenue continues to provide both challenges and inspiring opportunities for our diverse and historic community. As a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, St. Claude Main Street (St. Claude Main Street) is dedicated to supporting community and economic development along our designated portion of the corridor.
We believe that the best way to ensure equitable, sustainable and prosperous development is by engaging our community and empowering stakeholders to participate in revitalization efforts. We have a lot of work to do, but we cannot think of a better community work in and with. We look forward to seeing you on St. Claude Avenue soon.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Main Street.org
Location: Nationwide
Website: www.preservationnation.org/main-street/#.UWwNp2S9Kc0
Over the past 30 years, the Main Street movement has transformed the way communities think about the revitalization and management of their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Cities and towns across the nation have come to see that a prosperous, sustainable community is only as healthy as its core.
We all know where our Main Streets are, but do we know what they are and why they matter? Whether they are named First Avenue or Water Street or Martin Luther King Boulevard, what they represent is universal. Main Street is the economic engine, the big stage, the core of the community.
Our Main Streets tell us who we are and who we were, and how the past has shaped us. We do not go to bland suburbs or enclosed shopping malls to learn about our past, explore our culture, or discover our identity. Our Main Streets are the places of shared memory where people still come together to live, work, and play.
So what is Main Street? The phrase has been used to describe everything from our nostalgic past to our current economic woes, but when we talk about Main Street®, we are thinking of real places doing real work to revitalize their economies and preserve their character.
Specifically, Main Street® is three things: a proven strategy for revitalization, a powerful network of linked communities, and a national support program that leads the field.
The Main Street Four-Point Approach® is a unique preservation-based economic development tool that enables communities to revitalize downtown and neighborhood business districts by leveraging local assets - from historic, cultural, and architectural resources to local enterprises and community pride. It is a comprehensive strategy that addresses the variety of issues and problems that challenge traditional commercial districts.
Main Street is a national movement that has spanned three decades and taken root in more than 2,000 communities - a movement that has spurred $49 billion in reinvestment in traditional commercial districts, galvanized thousands of volunteers, and changed the way governments, planners, and developers view preservation.
Over the past 30 years, the National Trust Main Street Center has overseen the development of a national network of coordinating programs that today includes 37 statewide programs, seven citywide programs, and two regional programs. These coordinating programs help cities, towns, and villages revitalize their downtown and neighborhood business districts. Coordinating program staff help build the capacity of local Main Street programs, expand the network of Main Street communities, provide resources and technical assistance, and work with the National Trust Main Street Center to explore new solutions to revitalization challenges and respond to emerging trends throughout the nation.
Since its founding in 1980, The National Trust Main Street Center has been the leader of a coast-to-coast network now encompassing more than 2,000 programs and leaders who use the Main Street approach to rebuild the places and enterprises that create sustainable, vibrant communities.
Website: www.preservationnation.org/main-street/#.UWwNp2S9Kc0
Over the past 30 years, the Main Street movement has transformed the way communities think about the revitalization and management of their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Cities and towns across the nation have come to see that a prosperous, sustainable community is only as healthy as its core.
We all know where our Main Streets are, but do we know what they are and why they matter? Whether they are named First Avenue or Water Street or Martin Luther King Boulevard, what they represent is universal. Main Street is the economic engine, the big stage, the core of the community.
Our Main Streets tell us who we are and who we were, and how the past has shaped us. We do not go to bland suburbs or enclosed shopping malls to learn about our past, explore our culture, or discover our identity. Our Main Streets are the places of shared memory where people still come together to live, work, and play.
So what is Main Street? The phrase has been used to describe everything from our nostalgic past to our current economic woes, but when we talk about Main Street®, we are thinking of real places doing real work to revitalize their economies and preserve their character.
Specifically, Main Street® is three things: a proven strategy for revitalization, a powerful network of linked communities, and a national support program that leads the field.
The Main Street Four-Point Approach® is a unique preservation-based economic development tool that enables communities to revitalize downtown and neighborhood business districts by leveraging local assets - from historic, cultural, and architectural resources to local enterprises and community pride. It is a comprehensive strategy that addresses the variety of issues and problems that challenge traditional commercial districts.
Main Street is a national movement that has spanned three decades and taken root in more than 2,000 communities - a movement that has spurred $49 billion in reinvestment in traditional commercial districts, galvanized thousands of volunteers, and changed the way governments, planners, and developers view preservation.
Over the past 30 years, the National Trust Main Street Center has overseen the development of a national network of coordinating programs that today includes 37 statewide programs, seven citywide programs, and two regional programs. These coordinating programs help cities, towns, and villages revitalize their downtown and neighborhood business districts. Coordinating program staff help build the capacity of local Main Street programs, expand the network of Main Street communities, provide resources and technical assistance, and work with the National Trust Main Street Center to explore new solutions to revitalization challenges and respond to emerging trends throughout the nation.
Since its founding in 1980, The National Trust Main Street Center has been the leader of a coast-to-coast network now encompassing more than 2,000 programs and leaders who use the Main Street approach to rebuild the places and enterprises that create sustainable, vibrant communities.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Atlanta Beltline
Location: Atlanta, GA
Website: www.beltline.org
Here we've outlined the who, what, when, where, why and how! Learn how we're making this project happen and about all the research and work that has gone into bringing it to life!
- The Atlanta BeltLine is the most comprehensive revitalization effort ever undertaken in the City of Atlanta and among the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment and mobility projects currently underway in the United States.
- This sustainable project is providing a network of public parks, multi-use trails and transit by re-using 22-miles of historic railroad corridors circling downtown and connecting 45 neighborhoods directly to each other.
- Federal funding for the Atlanta BeltLine is already underway. The Atlanta Regional Commission has programmed $18.66 million of federal funding for use in right of way acquisition and trail construction in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
- Over $4.7 million of other federal funding for streetscape improvements has already been committed to the Atlanta BeltLine. Other considerations include Transit, Transportation,
- TAD was created in 2005 after receiving overwhelming support from the community and votes of approval by the Atlanta City Council, the Atlanta Public School Board, and the Fulton County Commission.
- Importantly, TAD financing does not require a tax increase. It is a means of using future tax funds to pay for investment in the Atlanta BeltLine now.
- Some neighborhoods have continued to prosper with time, while others have fallen into disrepair. New development, new roads, and new realities have altered some neighborhoods, while others have remained virtually unchanged for decades.
- Obstacles, both natural and manmade, have created barriers separating many of these neighborhoods, and the result is a curious hodgepodge lacking a common thread — until now.
- The Atlanta BeltLine represents an extraordinary opportunity for the City of Atlanta. City leaders the world over spend decades seeking ways to upgrade infrastructure, improve housing opportunities, revolutionize transportation services, promote new job growth, and bring communities together. A success story in any one of these areas is worthy of accolades.
- The Atlanta BeltLine accomplishes every one of these elements, and as the project takes shape, it will provide a blueprint for urban renewal that will be envied and followed by cities across the country and around the world.
- There are many different ways for people to get involved in the Atlanta BeltLine. This is a project by the community for the community, and residents have an active role in every phase of the process. Study Groups and Advisory Boards are opportunities to engage in high-level discussion with neighbors, planners, developers, and elected officials tasked with making the Atlanta BeltLine .
- Study Groups are the primary way to participate in planning the Atlanta BeltLine. Created by the Atlanta City Council, Study Groups enable direct input into the planning, design, and implementation of the Atlanta BeltLine. There are five Study Groups around the Atlanta BeltLine (N, NE, SE, SW, W), and they focus on topics ranging from park design to transit planning. Visit the event calendar to find Study Group meetings near you.
- Cotywide Conversations are the primary way Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. introduces the community to concepts unique to planning and implementing the Atlanta BeltLine vision. These forums engage subject matter experts, provide community education, and promote in-depth dialogue covering different perspectives. Concepts introduced to date include transit supportive development, affordable housing, and community benefits.
- Visit the event calendar to find Citywide Conversations near you.Attend our Quarterly BriefingsAtlanta BeltLine, Inc. convenes quarterly for a citywide briefing on its progress regarding planning, design, and construction activities. You can engage the Atlanta BeltLine team and partners one-on-one and in an open Q&A format.
- Participate with Advisory BoardsThe community can serve on advisory groups by appointment from Atlanta BeltLine Inc., City Council, Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County, the Mayor and others. The two key advisory groups for the Atlanta BeltLine are the Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee and the BeltLine Affordable Housing Advisory Board. Other planning and advisory committees are created for a short term and typically technical purpose.
Website: www.beltline.org
Here we've outlined the who, what, when, where, why and how! Learn how we're making this project happen and about all the research and work that has gone into bringing it to life!
- The Atlanta BeltLine is the most comprehensive revitalization effort ever undertaken in the City of Atlanta and among the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment and mobility projects currently underway in the United States.
- This sustainable project is providing a network of public parks, multi-use trails and transit by re-using 22-miles of historic railroad corridors circling downtown and connecting 45 neighborhoods directly to each other.
- Federal funding for the Atlanta BeltLine is already underway. The Atlanta Regional Commission has programmed $18.66 million of federal funding for use in right of way acquisition and trail construction in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
- Over $4.7 million of other federal funding for streetscape improvements has already been committed to the Atlanta BeltLine. Other considerations include Transit, Transportation,
- TAD was created in 2005 after receiving overwhelming support from the community and votes of approval by the Atlanta City Council, the Atlanta Public School Board, and the Fulton County Commission.
- Importantly, TAD financing does not require a tax increase. It is a means of using future tax funds to pay for investment in the Atlanta BeltLine now.
- Some neighborhoods have continued to prosper with time, while others have fallen into disrepair. New development, new roads, and new realities have altered some neighborhoods, while others have remained virtually unchanged for decades.
- Obstacles, both natural and manmade, have created barriers separating many of these neighborhoods, and the result is a curious hodgepodge lacking a common thread — until now.
- The Atlanta BeltLine represents an extraordinary opportunity for the City of Atlanta. City leaders the world over spend decades seeking ways to upgrade infrastructure, improve housing opportunities, revolutionize transportation services, promote new job growth, and bring communities together. A success story in any one of these areas is worthy of accolades.
- The Atlanta BeltLine accomplishes every one of these elements, and as the project takes shape, it will provide a blueprint for urban renewal that will be envied and followed by cities across the country and around the world.
- There are many different ways for people to get involved in the Atlanta BeltLine. This is a project by the community for the community, and residents have an active role in every phase of the process. Study Groups and Advisory Boards are opportunities to engage in high-level discussion with neighbors, planners, developers, and elected officials tasked with making the Atlanta BeltLine .
- Study Groups are the primary way to participate in planning the Atlanta BeltLine. Created by the Atlanta City Council, Study Groups enable direct input into the planning, design, and implementation of the Atlanta BeltLine. There are five Study Groups around the Atlanta BeltLine (N, NE, SE, SW, W), and they focus on topics ranging from park design to transit planning. Visit the event calendar to find Study Group meetings near you.
- Cotywide Conversations are the primary way Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. introduces the community to concepts unique to planning and implementing the Atlanta BeltLine vision. These forums engage subject matter experts, provide community education, and promote in-depth dialogue covering different perspectives. Concepts introduced to date include transit supportive development, affordable housing, and community benefits.
- Visit the event calendar to find Citywide Conversations near you.Attend our Quarterly BriefingsAtlanta BeltLine, Inc. convenes quarterly for a citywide briefing on its progress regarding planning, design, and construction activities. You can engage the Atlanta BeltLine team and partners one-on-one and in an open Q&A format.
- Participate with Advisory BoardsThe community can serve on advisory groups by appointment from Atlanta BeltLine Inc., City Council, Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County, the Mayor and others. The two key advisory groups for the Atlanta BeltLine are the Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee and the BeltLine Affordable Housing Advisory Board. Other planning and advisory committees are created for a short term and typically technical purpose.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation
Location: Cicinnati, OH
x Website: www.3cdc.org
The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) is a 501(c) 3, tax-exempt, private, non-profit corporation. Its mission and strategic focus is to strengthen the core assets of downtown by revitalizing and connecting the Fountain Square District, the Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine (OTR).
Working together with the City of Cincinnati, the State of Ohio and members of Cincinnati's corporate community, 3CDC is committed to establishing a model of excellence and success when it comes to redeveloping and investing in Cincinnati's urban core.
To achieve its mission to strategically revitalize Cincinnati's downtown urban core, 3CDC has the flexibility to function in a variety of roles.
DEVELOPER:
3CDC may directly serve as the developer for targeted redevelopment or new construction projects.
MASTER DEVELOPER:
As a master developer, 3CDC provides comprehensive, strategic, long-range planning.
ASSET MANAGER:
Once a project is complete, 3CDC may serve as asset manager to insure that the goals of the project are fulfilled and outcomes achieved.
LENDER/FUND MANAGER
3CDC loans funds to qualified to achieve its mission to strategically revitalize Cincinnati's downtown urban core, 3CDC has the flexibility to function in a variety of roles.
DEVELOPER:
3CDC may directly serve as the developer for targeted redevelopment or new construction projects.
MASTER DEVELOPER:
As a master developer, 3CDC provides comprehensive, strategic, long-range planning.
ASSET MANAGER:
Once a project is complete, 3CDC may serve as asset manager to insure that the goals of the project are fulfilled and outcomes achieved.
LENDER/FUND MANAGER:
3CDC loans funds to qualified developers for urban redevelopment projects. The funds are drawn from two private equity funds that specifically target downtown redevelopment. More >
In all these roles, 3CDC works collaboratively with funding partners and the City of Cincinnati to bring stability and vitality to formerly distressed urban areas. developers for urban redevelopment projects. The funds are drawn from two private equity funds that specifically target downtown redevelopment.
In all these roles, 3CDC works collaboratively with funding partners and the City of Cincinnati to bring stability and vitality to formerly distressed urban areas.
x Website: www.3cdc.org
The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) is a 501(c) 3, tax-exempt, private, non-profit corporation. Its mission and strategic focus is to strengthen the core assets of downtown by revitalizing and connecting the Fountain Square District, the Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine (OTR).
Working together with the City of Cincinnati, the State of Ohio and members of Cincinnati's corporate community, 3CDC is committed to establishing a model of excellence and success when it comes to redeveloping and investing in Cincinnati's urban core.
To achieve its mission to strategically revitalize Cincinnati's downtown urban core, 3CDC has the flexibility to function in a variety of roles.
DEVELOPER:
3CDC may directly serve as the developer for targeted redevelopment or new construction projects.
MASTER DEVELOPER:
As a master developer, 3CDC provides comprehensive, strategic, long-range planning.
ASSET MANAGER:
Once a project is complete, 3CDC may serve as asset manager to insure that the goals of the project are fulfilled and outcomes achieved.
LENDER/FUND MANAGER
3CDC loans funds to qualified to achieve its mission to strategically revitalize Cincinnati's downtown urban core, 3CDC has the flexibility to function in a variety of roles.
DEVELOPER:
3CDC may directly serve as the developer for targeted redevelopment or new construction projects.
MASTER DEVELOPER:
As a master developer, 3CDC provides comprehensive, strategic, long-range planning.
ASSET MANAGER:
Once a project is complete, 3CDC may serve as asset manager to insure that the goals of the project are fulfilled and outcomes achieved.
LENDER/FUND MANAGER:
3CDC loans funds to qualified developers for urban redevelopment projects. The funds are drawn from two private equity funds that specifically target downtown redevelopment. More >
In all these roles, 3CDC works collaboratively with funding partners and the City of Cincinnati to bring stability and vitality to formerly distressed urban areas. developers for urban redevelopment projects. The funds are drawn from two private equity funds that specifically target downtown redevelopment.
In all these roles, 3CDC works collaboratively with funding partners and the City of Cincinnati to bring stability and vitality to formerly distressed urban areas.
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