LandDesign’s Post

What do we really want for Kentville's future? Let’s talk about where we’re headed... Kentville has grown so much in the last 20 years. You see it in our streets, in the faces of new families, and in the booming downtown. But with growth comes responsibility. We need to think about: 👉 Investing in new businesses. 👉 Supporting the ones that are already here. 👉 Ensuring our infrastructure, like roads and stormwater systems, can keep up. And that’s just the start... 👉 Housing – Can we build smarter and better? 👉 Collaboration – Are we really listening to all voices at the table? 👉 Community – How do we continue to support our neighbours and local events? Kentville's vision is not just about today. It’s about all of us—our families, our neighbours, and the generations to come. Let’s build a future we can all be proud of. #kentville #CommunityFirst #FutureFocused

There are over 450,000 brownfield sites in the U.S., mostly in communities of color and low-income areas, just waiting to be transformed into thriving community spaces! ✅ But transforming a brownfield into a community center, maker spaces, playgrounds, and parks, is no easy feat. It does not happen overnight, and certainly not alone. ✅ If you’re wondering how this process works, take a look at our Brown to Blooming guide, which walks you through the many steps and considerations involved in taking a brownfield-to-open space project from inception to reality. https://lnkd.in/g4rd6sMK #brownfields #landreuse

🌇 Cedar Heights Unbound: Crafting Unity in Our Streets 🌇 Deep in the fabric of the city lies Cedar Heights, a neighborhood that’s stood for three decades yet remained a collection of houses rather than a community. It was time for a change, time to awaken the vibrant spirit I knew lived in every corner and every heart of this neighborhood. The Spark of Transformation: The mission was clear from the get-go: to transform Cedar Heights from a mere geographic location to a living, breathing community where every voice is heard, and every hand is held. This wasn’t about changing an area; it was about unlocking the potential of its people. From Strangers to Neighbors: The first step was to bridge the gaps. We rolled up our sleeves and got down to the grassroots, initiating real conversations, sharing stories, and building trust. This was about laying down the foundation for a community where everyone feels at home. The Pulse of the Community: Through collective efforts, we saw the transformation unfold. Block parties turned isolated individuals into a united community, community gardens blossomed from barren lands, symbolizing growth and togetherness, and neighborhood meetings became the stage for voices that had long been silenced. Today’s Cedar Heights: Now, Cedar Heights is alive with the energy of its residents. It’s a place where the youth play freely, neighbors connect genuinely, and the essence of unity fills the air. This is the Cedar Heights we envisioned, a community bound by solidarity and mutual respect. The Legacy We Build: Cedar Heights’ journey is a testament to the power of collective action and shared vision. It stands as a beacon, showing that with perseverance and unity, any neighborhood can redefine itself. The Invitation: I extend a call to each of you. Let’s take this spirit beyond Cedar Heights. Engage, connect, and contribute. Together, we have the power to transform spaces into communities, houses into homes, and individuals into families. #UnityInCedarHeights #StrengthInCommunity #EmpowermentThroughEngagement #LegacyBuilding #TogetherAsOne

Creative solutions at work to address a critical need. Well done!

"Gentle Density" is our vision for sustainable, community-focused housing. Instead of overcrowded high-rises, we believe in creating low-rise, high-density affordable housing that fits seamlessly within suburban neighborhoods. Our approach? Placing 6-8 prefabricated studio units on standard suburban lots, allowing for thoughtful growth that encourages neighborhood integration. By scattering these units every few blocks, communities expand sustainably, welcoming new neighbors without disrupting the fabric of single-family tracts. It’s a model that supports affordable living, neighborhood cohesion, and long-term community building. Let’s rethink density, together.

Sharing a letter from the Terwilliger Center's Advisory Committee at Bipartisan Policy Center urging swift passage of the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act. #YIMBY would require U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant recipients to report on any efforts within their respective jurisdictions to reform zoning and land use policies to support additional #affordablehousing supply. Examples of pro-housing efforts include: enacting high-density single-family and multifamily zoning, allowing manufactured homes in areas zoned primarily for single-family residential homes, reducing minimum lot sizes, streamlining or shortening permitting processes and timelines, and eliminating or reducing off-street parking requirements. Regulatory policies too often delay or prevent the construction of new affordable homes and impede economic development. #YIMBY aims to encourage local communities to reduce these regulatory barriers and take steps to address our nation’s severe shortage of affordable homes. Thanks to: Ron Terwilliger, Ed Brady, Scott Brown, Henry Cisneros, Carlos Curbelo, Shaun Donovan, Renee Lewis Glover, Terri Ludwig, Jeb Mason, Shekar Narasimhan, Pamela Patenaude, Egbert Perry, Erika Poethig, and Steve Stivers for encouraging #Congress to take action.

Expedited permitting, zoning reform, reduced regulatory costs and removal of regulatory barriers are solutions for improving the supply of affordable housing at all income levels. SUPPORT the Yes In My Backyard YIMBY Act. #YIMBYAct #affordablehousing #eliminatebarrierstodevelopment

For NAPC Board Member, Sarah Cody, the question of "Why?" is "an on-going, necessary question that always ties back to community building." Read more about Sarah's story, which she shared with us last year, below. Though I grew up in New England, surrounded by history, I really never considered the mechanisms of historic preservation or how it helped shape my apple-orchard filled suburb until I was an adult. I didn’t truly discover my “why” until recently, even though I’ve worked professionally in historic preservation for over 15 years. When I enrolled in a Landscape Architecture program in college, and I sat listening to lectures on plant selection, garden design, and stormwater management, I was unsure what I was doing there. Then we had a guest lecturer - the Historic Sites Restoration Coordinator with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. She talked about the restoration of a statue in downtown Syracuse and suddenly everything clicked into place for me. That tangible connection to the past intrigued me. This newfound interest along with the values my mentor George W. Curry instilled in me - the importance of using your work to be of service to your community - led me to public service. Having just completed a decade as a public servant, I can honestly say I truly discovered my “why” just within the last few years. I recognize that am incredibly privileged, and I strongly believe that it is my duty as a public servant to use my education and professional position to utilize the power of our historic and cultural places to help create more resilient and equitable communities for the residents of Miami-Dade County. Continuing to ask myself “why” is something I find incredibly important to do throughout my work – why are we doing the work we are doing, who is it for, and who does it benefit? For me, historic preservation is less about history and more about community building. So for me, “why” is an on-going, necessary question that always ties back to community building. Join Sarah at FORUM 2024 during the Preservation Equity Roundtable on Friday, August 2nd. Register HERE: https://lnkd.in/dqhr6WuB #PreservationMonth #NAPCWhatsYourWhy #FORUMfridays #PreservationUnderthePalms #FORUM2024

Excited to see the progress of our master planned community NorthShore, located along the St. Mary’s River in Camden County, Coastal Georgia. This 629-home community at build out includes a market-leading, resort-style amenity package including a 3,400 sqft clubhouse, boat launch, floating dock, observation deck, playground, and passive recreational/sports fields.   NorthShore is a classic Drapac investment play: we identified a prime asset in an undervalued growth market, acquired it for a fraction of the infrastructure value, and added significant value during the hold period by undertaking thoughtful and strategic initiatives to restore and improve the community.   A critical piece of our investment strategy has been to bring in multiple homebuilding partners including 1) Century Communities (NYSE: CCS), 2) Maronda Homes, and 3) Smith Family Homes. This approach has resulted in tremendous success for both the builders and overall community; builders are seeing strong absorption and price growth, and the community is appealing to a wider audience with a range of products and price points.   Camden County is experiencing significant growth due to shifting demographic factors (+8% population and +26% household income growth over the last 5 years) and the expansion of regional economic drivers, which has translated directly to increased demand and home sale prices (+64% over the last 5 years). https://lnkd.in/dKTubEn9

Revitalizing Historic #BurlingtonCity Through Community Collaboration The latest newsletter from @MainStreetBurlington offers an inspiring look at how this #NewJersey city is driving positive change through community partnerships. A few highlights: #CommunityPolicing An independent poll explored residents' priorities like targeted foot patrols, improved lighting, and addressing abandoned properties to enhance safety. These insights can guide collaborative solutions between citizens and law enforcement. #EconomicDevelopment The mayor outlined an ambitious vision including incentives for property investment, major redevelopment projects like the historic William Allen School, and infrastructure improvements to roads and bridges. #HistoricPreservation While pursuing revitalization, the plan aims to retain Burlington City's charming character by designating conservation districts and adaptively reusing spaces like the Old Waterworks. It's a powerful example of how the #MainStreet approach, bringing together residents, businesses, and local leaders, can catalyze positive transformation. I'm inspired by communities like Burlington taking thoughtful steps towards economic vitality while celebrating their unique heritage. Read the full newsletter at https://lnkd.in/eX-cCzqt What's working in your community? How else can we support these critical revitalization efforts across #NewJersey and beyond? #RevitalizeNJ #PreservationNJ #mainstreetNJ #savingplaces