Clark Dietz, Inc.’s Post

What to do with declining, vacant, and underutilized historic church buildings is an issue that many communities across the country are facing. For congregations with dwindling membership, the wall of maintenance costs is often insurmountable. Constructed in 1913, the historic St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church and its members were faced with this dilemma in the early 2000s. As a center of Tampa's Civil Rights Movement, St. Paul played host to numerous dignitaries, including Thurgood Marshall and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but the building was suffering from years of deferred maintenance. From the sale of the church in 2011, the congregation was able to move across town to a newer, smaller, and more affordable space, however, ensuring that the building's future use would preserve the building's character and legacy was vital. Ensuring this goal, Sage Partners, LLC was able to transform the historic sacred space into a Life Center, complete with an indoor play area, computer lab, and event space, while constructing an adjoining 120-unit affordable housing community. In the end, the congregation was sustained, the building's integrity and legacy were preserved, and a community need for affordable housing was met. Talk about a win-win-win! For more stories on adaptive reuse projects of historic church spaces, resources, and best practices, check out Partners for Sacred Places at sacredplaces.org.

The collaborative efforts of D.C. and federal agencies are directed towards revitalizing Pennsylvania Avenue NW, with the aim of creating a more vibrant urban corridor. The primary focus is on developing a fresh blueprint for the section between the Capitol and the White House, seeking to inject energy and foster community engagement. Present perspectives depict the avenue as an untapped opportunity, igniting a vision for a dynamic and interactive ambiance. Proposed ideas envision Pennsylvania Avenue's transformation into an expansive public park and event space, accentuating multimodal transit, integrated park zones, and communal gatherings. This joint initiative unites six pivotal governmental and local entities, with the goal of harnessing Downtown D.C.'s potential by rejuvenating Pennsylvania Avenue into a thriving hub.

Another section of #Austin is targeted for revitalization/gentrification. The city's Six Square District, once the predominantly African American center of Austin, has two parcels that are being considered for redevelopment. City officials are considering two development teams for the project, which would prioritize all aspects of affordability: affordable housing, affordable office, affordable retail, etc. Public input will be ongoing for the next three months. Click through the article to find out more about the two development teams and what they are proposing to build in East Austin. #realestate #Texas #development #affordablehousing #housing #retail #office #CRE CoStar Group

Cool video recap of the work we've been doing in #Brevard #NC on their Architectural Standards update!

Late last month, the Morristown Zoning Board unanimously approved a back-of-house expansion to the 87-year-old Mayo Performing Arts Center in the Town of Morristown. 🎭 The plan calls for a 31,000 SF five-story addition and a bi-level parking garage. While the historic façade along South Street will be unchanged, #MPAC will now extend from South Street to King Place. We also want to note that most of the back-of-house addition will be dedicated to their #artseducation program, currently located in the buildings being replaced by the expansion. So not only will this expansion add to #Morristown’s historic charm and contribute to its economic vitality, but will also inspire local artists of the future. 🎨👨🎨 Cultural institutions like #MayoPAC are a vital economic engine for downtowns across the State, and particularly in Morristown, not only driving foot traffic to surrounding businesses, but driving the community's economic health. 🛍 In their most recent annual report, the Center stated that the nonprofit arts center generated more than $15 million in revenue for local businesses in the 2022/23 season. 💰 That's no chump change. Read more and view more renderings here: https://lnkd.in/etH5ndPy 📷 Rendering courtesy of FJ Rawding Architects #MorristownNJ #localarts #njarts #njperformingarts #adaptiveruse #njdevelopment #njplanners #njplanningfirm

Awesome evidence for Optimism! Indeed, a bikable city with mixed use residential transit oriented development will be better than pushing EVs onto an unwilling consumer, yes Ev demand is dubious hybrid vehicles and bicycle incentives make more sense and less emissions! Logic should drive our methods of development, transportation, infrastructure and approach to adaptation to climate change and Cleveland can be and should be ahead of those curves… all three! #optimism #clevelandrealestate #cleveland #climatechangesolutions

Check this out....#RetrofitMagazine #retrofit

Francisco Moya, a city councilmember from Corona, Queens, has evolved from a soccer enthusiast to a key proponent of a $780 million soccer stadium project for the New York City Football Club at Willets Point. This area, historically marred by industrial decay and environmental neglect, is set for a comprehensive makeover that includes the stadium, a 250-room hotel, a school for 650 students, and 2,500 units of affordable housing. The project, supported by Mayor Eric Adams, is seen as a transformative initiative, poised to generate significant economic activity, job opportunities, and a substantial boost in affordable housing, marking it as a pivotal development in the city's urban landscape. However, the project is not without its detractors. Critics argue that the city's financial concessions to developers, including substantial tax breaks, could outweigh the economic benefits. There's a growing concern that the financial implications for the city might not align with the long-term public interest, sparking a debate on the fiscal responsibility of such large-scale developments. Environmental concerns are also at the forefront, with advocates highlighting the potential risks to the area's wetlands, an ecological aspect long overshadowed by industrial use. The project's environmental impact, particularly in an era of increasing climate awareness, raises questions about sustainability and the protection of local ecosystems, challenging the developers and the city to balance growth with environmental stewardship. Moreover, the human element of the redevelopment process is emphasized by stories like that of Arturo Olaya, a local business owner facing displacement. His narrative sheds light on the personal and economic repercussions for those caught in the path of urban renewal, adding a layer of complexity to the discourse surrounding the project. Despite these challenges, the redevelopment of Willets Point is a testament to the city's commitment to urban transformation. With the City Council's expected approval, the project is a step closer to turning a long-neglected area into a vibrant urban space. This endeavor reflects the intricate balance between development, community benefits, and the ecological and fiscal responsibility that characterizes the modern urban landscape. As this ambitious project progresses, it encapsulates the essence of urban renewal, weaving together the threads of economic development, community enhancement, and environmental consideration, all while navigating the intricacies of political, social, and ecological realities in New York City. #WilletsPoint #NYCFCStadium #UrbanRenewal #EconomicDevelopment #EnvironmentalSustainability #CommunityImpact #AffordableHousing #NYCPolitics https://lnkd.in/eDZz_RQ8

more opportunity for public realm improvements, connectivity and active travel. Reducing traffic and ensuring our centres are places for our residents is key to regeneration

MKSK Celebrates National Community Planning Month! Since 2020, it has never been more apparent how important the availability of nearby park space is to the physical and mental health of a city. It is now incredibly evident that many neighborhoods in our cities lack available or accessible open space. Furthermore, across the Midwest and South, our core neighborhoods continue to feature streets and spaces designed for vehicular travel and are often lacking basic necessities, such as wide sidewalks and street trees. In the last few years, the mayor of Paris committed to transforming the French metropolis into a 15-minute city, or one in which all services for residents are available within a 15-minute walk. This approach to urban planning and design continues to challenge car-driven distances in favor of walkable neighborhoods. Working with Louisville Metro Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability, the 15-minute city approach has influenced our work on the Butchertown, Phoenix Hill, and NuLu Neighborhood Plans in Louisville, Kentucky. Located between downtown Louisville and its eastern in-town suburbs, this plan sets a vision for the next ten years for three rapidly growing communities. In the last decade, new residents, restaurants, and breweries have flooded into an area already bustling with a unique sense of place and identity. With the advent of the pandemic, development proposals have charged ahead with the opening of a new soccer stadium and a new botanical garden. Clients/Partners Louisville Metro Public Works #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Design #ASLA #APA #ULI #CommunityPlanningMonth #Louisville #LouisvilleNeighborhoodPlans