Kickoff Community Design Charrette: What Do You Want To See Happen on 58th Street?
Last Saturday, Brand New Beginnings hosted an interactive charrette with local residents and community leaders to develop ideas for the redevelopment of 58th Street in Washington Park. The workshop focused on neighborhood development strategies and sustainable planning for the blighted four-block corridor between Michigan Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. LBBA’s Jeff Bone, Terran Wilson, and Maggie Jarr facilitated the session which included: a community breakfast, introduction to the project, walk along the site, and small working group discussions. Each group presented ideas on how to achieve a healthier neighborhood, such as supportive housing, after school programs, job training, ‘pass-it-down’ culinary classes, and better access to fitness and technology centers.
The charrette was supported by a grant from Enterprise Green Communities, an initiative of Enterprise Community Partners that provides funds and expertise to enable affordable housing developers to build and rehabilitate homes that are healthier, more energy efficient, and better for the environment. A second charrette will take place early next year to explore green strategies and resident engagement.