Patrick Fernbach, PE, WELL AP’s Post

Communities That Play Together Grow Together: My View of Greenville, South Carolina 🌟 My wife’s family lives in South Carolina, and as I have been to many cities around the world, I am always captivated by Greenville and how it relates to where I live. With a population of only about 70,000 people, I feel that the heart of Greenville’s success story is its unwavering commitment to providing residents and visitors alike with an abundance of opportunities for leisure, recreation, and cultural enrichment. Greenville offers something for everyone, regardless of age or background, from its extensive network of parks and green spaces to its bustling downtown district filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.  It seems that no matter what day of the week it is or what time of the year, Greenville is always busy with thousands of people walking, eating and simply enjoying everything the city has to offer. Public spaces like Falls Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail foster social connection, echoing Waterloo Region's landscape synergy. The city's arts scene thrives, with galleries, theatres, and events like Artisphere drawing thousands yearly, boosting both culture and commerce. But it's Greenville's collaborative spirit that truly shines. Residents, businesses, and government unite to shape the city's future, driving initiatives like the Greenville Forward Vision Plan. In my opinion, Greenville, South Carolina, stands as a shining example of the transformative power of community engagement, recreation, and cultural enrichment. By prioritizing public spaces, fostering a vibrant arts scene, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders, Greenville has created a dynamic and inclusive community where residents thrive, businesses flourish, and visitors are welcomed with open arms. As other cities seek to emulate Greenville’s success, they would do well to heed the timeless wisdom that communities that play together truly do grow together. 🌟 #CommunityEngagement #Growth #GreenvilleSC #CommunityDevelopment #Recreation #CulturalEnrichment #PublicSpaces #ArtsScene #Collaboration #InclusiveCommunity #CommunityBuilding #CityPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #DestinationCity

Today, Brandon M. Scott released Downtown RISE: A 10-Year Vision, a comprehensive long-term outlook for downtown that builds on Mayor Scott’s Downtown RISE: Strategic Action Plan, launched last month. This 10-Year Vision, a collaboration between Mayor Scott’s Administration, Gov. Wes Moore’s Administration, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Baltimore Development Corporation and a diverse downtown stakeholder group, serves as a framework to make #Baltimore’s #Downtown more livable, pedestrian friendly, and vibrant. Congrats to Shelonda Stokes and team on its release! Full Website: https://lnkd.in/eptritHd Downtown RISE: A Strategic Action Plan provides strategies across key four focus areas: 1) economic development, 2) infrastructure development, 3) arts, culture, and entertainment, and 4) public safety and cleanliness. The full plan can be found at https://lnkd.in/eg_cGtBn. Downtown RISE: A 10-Year Vision is a framework for a more livable and inclusive downtown, and the release kicks off 6 months of community engagement. Direct link to the pdf version can be found at https://lnkd.in/efB5Kp_r.

We ❤️ this approach! When a business or organization intentionally selects local suppliers, particularly diverse local suppliers, money continues to circulate within our region. What else happens? ⬆️Community Investment increases ⬆️Hiring increases 🔗Supply chains grow more resilient and robust. Everyone wins. At BEAM, we are forging a brighter and more equitable future for local businesses. We are designing new procurement practices based on data science and best practices.

Downtown is BACK! “A new study of more than 60 downtowns across the U.S. and Canada places downtown Minneapolis at the top of the pack when it comes to an increase in visitors over the past year…A previous Downtown Recovery study in mid-2023 by the University of Toronto’s School of Cities determined that downtown Minneapolis was third to last in foot traffic recovery compared to the same period in 2019.” This type of progress doesn’t happen by accident, but is the result of hard work by small businesses, city leaders, local organizations, and community organizers. But most importantly this type of progress is the result on Minnesotans showing up and investing their time, money, and energy in the small businesses and local events at the forefront of downtown’s resurgence. Keep up the good work, Minnesota! #ShopLocal #ReadLocal #VoteLocal

The Independent highlights an antidote to the loneliness and lack of connection that has caused a nationwide public health crisis. Third places are the solution. 🌟 Third places are the spaces beyond our homes and offices, where we engage with others, form new connections, and foster familiarity and belonging. Examples of third places are:  Coffee shops ☕️ Libraries 📚 Salons 💇♀️ Bars🍹 Gyms 🏋️♂️ Museums 🏛️ Restaurants 🍽  Theaters 🎭  Parks 🌳 We’re pleased to be included in The Independent’s article for our work in partnership with the City of San Francisco investing in the cultivation of new third places downtown. SF New Deal is at the forefront of transforming empty spaces into engaging hubs of activity and connection. From immersive art exhibitions 🖼 to beloved local bakeries 🥐, #VacanttoVibrant is not just revitalizing our city's landscape but rekindling the community spirit that defines San Francisco. 💖🌉 Check out the full article and visit the Vacant to Vibrant pop-ups for a dose of third space goodness https://lnkd.in/ga3Q-eBY

Welcome to the Mr Jack Johnson Show _Building a Better Chicago: Ideas for a Brighter Future_ Chicago, the Windy City, is a vibrant hub of culture, innovation, and community. However, like any city, it faces challenges that affect its residents, visitors, and environment. Here are some ideas to make Chicago an even better place: _Improved Public Transportation_: Enhance the 'L' train and bus systems for efficient, reliable, and affordable travel. _Community-Led Safety Initiatives_: Support neighborhood programs that prioritize prevention, understanding, and community policing. _Sustainable Lakefront_: Protect and revitalize the lakefront for recreation, conservation, and climate resilience. _Affordable Housing_: Increase affordable options to ensure everyone has a place to call home. _Inclusive Economic Growth_: Foster opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs, and underserved communities. _World-Class Education_: Develop innovative educational programs that prepare students for success. _Vibrant Arts and Culture_: Support local artists, festivals, and cultural events that showcase Chicago's diversity. _Green Spaces_: Expand parks, gardens, and green roofs to enhance quality of life and mitigate urban heat islands. Let's work together to build a better Chicago for all! Share your ideas and let's create a brighter future for the Windy City.

Principal Jared H. Press spoke as a panelist at Project for Public Spaces’ 4th International Placemaking Week conference, highlighting how  Prince George's County, Maryland is using a vision grounded in placemaking to drive equitable economic development along the Blue Line Corridor.     The County adopted a forward-thinking approach by identifying key public investments in multimodal infrastructure, public anchor institutions, and placemaking through programming and activation to attract private investment in dense, mixed-use, transit-oriented development.     Panelists highlighted how, unlike urban settings, suburbia often lacks natural spaces for community gatherings, making it challenging for residents to envision effective placemaking. Yet, the demand for such initiatives is strong. The successful implementation of such long-term initiatives requires a clear and coherent vision that serves as a consistent reference point that can endure turnover in administrations, agency staff, and market cycles.     Engaging the community in these environments requires innovative strategies and a deep understanding of their unique needs. While the full realization of the Blue Line Corridor vision will take years, the early successes and lessons learned provide a valuable blueprint for other suburban jurisdictions aiming for equitable economic development.     #EconomicDevelopment #Placemaking #TransitOrientedDevelopment #CommunityEngagement 

Newark's Cultural Renaissance: NJPAC's $336 Million Vision Exciting news for Newark's urban development! The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is embarking on an ambitious $336 million project that promises to transform the city's landscape and cultural scene. 🏙️🎭 As a real estate professional, I'm thrilled to see this kind of investment in our communities. Here's why this project is a game-changer: 1. Mixed-use development: Apartments, retail spaces, and a community center will create a vibrant, livable neighborhood. 2. Economic boost: This project will attract new residents and businesses, stimulating local economy. 3. Cultural hub: Enhancing NJPAC's mission by integrating arts into daily life. 4. Urban revitalization: Breathing new life into a previously dilapidated business district. What impresses me most is NJPAC's innovative approach to sustainability. By generating profit from real estate, they're securing their financial future and reinvesting in arts programming. It's a win-win for culture and commerce! 🎨💼 This project showcases the power of public-private partnerships and the impact of state tax incentives in driving urban development. It's a model that other cities could learn from. What are your thoughts on arts organizations diversifying into real estate? Could this be a trend we'll see more of in other cities? #UrbanDevelopment #ArtsAndCulture #NewarkRenaissance #RealEstateTrends #TheAceTeam #RealBrokerLLC

Downtown Coldwater is taking big steps to revitalize its historic downtown and create a place for families and residents of all ages. The Downtown Coldwater Main Street program is working to support a dynamic environment that consistently demonstrates collective energy and synergy. They strive to foster entrepreneurial investment and growth and encourage a vibrant, multi-cultural, family-oriented downtown that is enjoyed by its community. Learn more about what the Coldwater Main Street program is doing to support their community in the 2024 edition of their Impact Report at https://lnkd.in/gZG5b-Qp. Here are a few key highlights: 💵 Downtown Coldwater Main Street saw nearly $1.5 million worth of private investment in the district between 2022-2023, totaling $2,023644 since the program's inception in 2021. 🏛 Downtown Coldwater celebrated 7 new businesses between 2022-2023, and 6 renovations to facades & building upgrades took place just in 2022-2023, bringing the grand total 11 new businesses and 10 facade & building rehabs since the program's launch. 🙋♀️ Downtown Coldwater Main Street welcomed 23,000 folks into the community for events and gatherings, bolstered by 318 volunteer hours at the value of $9,588 for the year. Their programmatic goals are to provide family-friendly experiences with a focus on arts and culture; to revitalize buildings and public spaces to enhance an authentic sense of community that is attractive to all ages; and to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports existing and new, experience-based, and multicultural businesses. Each year, Michigan Main Street supports local communities in compiling its annual Impact Report to demonstrate the power of Main Street programming. From transformations of commercial districts to community revitalizations across the state, Michigan Main Street’s dedicated economic efforts over the decades have been leading economic growth in downtowns across the state. Read the compilation of their efforts for the past 20 years in the report recently published, detailing Michigan Main Street’s economic, fiscal and community impact: https://lnkd.in/gespseip

This!  Portland should focus on this instead of listening to out of state land owners who refuse to adapt to the new normal.   Instead of listening to the whiny commercial building owners complain about teleworking we should focus on building communities that support local business and affordable housing 24/7! Thousands of square feet available, plenty of jobs downtown, affordable housing via adaptive reuse seems like a win win if we replaced the housing that was one prominent in an area of need.  It just seems like the easiest solution is often ignored when the elite have to maybe make an effort.