The calendar events are listed by month below. Following 2016 are previous years events — you can scroll down and click on posters of each year to see event details for that year starting in 2006.
December 2017 Civic By Design Agenda
A NEW CIVIC DESIGN VISION
Clearly we won't get more affordability or more mobility without a new civic design vision incorporating input from residents. Atlanta gets this and have created a The Atlanta City Design inspired by historic grand plans such as Daniel Burnham's Plan for Chicago.
For Civic By Design's December agenda we are exploring ways we can advance Charlotte's New Civic Design Vision.
December Agenda:
1. Check out the mega-watercolor poster and the 78 page book on The Atlanta City Design:
• http://www.atlcitydesign.com/
2. Review media-related articles and reference material including:
• https://saportareport.com/atlanta-city-design-2017-grand-vision-people-nature-people-nature/
• https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/09/07/officials-release-atlanta-city-design-book.html
3. Think and chat with others about ways we can advance our New Civic Design Vision and plan to share these starting in 2018.
4. Follow our upcoming postings of related content on the Civic By Design website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
QUESTIONS?
Image: Atlanta City Design Poster 2017 City of Atlanta Department of City Planning
November Civic By Design Agenda
FIVE POINTS MAKERS
Families and friends of the Five Points community are coming out to help envision and build a temporary plaza to teach the designers what works best for the West Side. Based on the results, improvements will be made to the intersection of West Trade, State Street, 5th Street, Rozzelles Ferry Road and Beatties Ford Road (also known as Five Points). For Civic By Design's November agenda check out the activity by participating in making improvements to Five Points and/or by enjoying the resulting space.
More info: http://westendclt.com/five-points-better-block/
Schedule for November 15-18
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday – 11:00am – 8:30pm Surveying Neighbors, Prepping the Space, and Building the Space (Neighbors + Designers)
Saturday 10:00am – 3:00pm Enjoying the Space (Food, Shopping, Art, Entertainment)
Various participant roles in time slots are available.
Click here to sign up to participate: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3GUZ8Q-bMPfRzkKDRalyxe6ig22xKulh-zqjbXA8yMknANw/viewform
1. Participate as a data collector, to help with asking questions and recording the responses from the people of the West Side.
2. Participate in workshops by breaking out the old clothing, rolling-up your sleeves and building booths, seating, other furniture, and painting the streets.
3. Participate by jumping-in and assisting with answering event attendee questions, assisting the entertainers and event vendors, and assisting the Five Points Better Block staff.
4. Participate by helping tear down and clean up the pop-up furniture, tents, and etc. We need help cleaning up the areas that were transformed into more walkable and vibrant spaces.
5. Participate by taking on any role you are willing to take on.
QUESTIONS?
Eric Orozco
T: 704.374.0916 x234
Images: Eric Orozco
October Civic By Design Agenda
REVISITING FOURTH WARD PARK
For many residents of this historic neighborhood, Fourth Ward Park is their front yard.* The park, while just 3 acres, features a large central lawn, wooded natural areas, two fountains, a children’s playground, several art projects, and countless unique plantings.
Fourth Ward residents and Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation have a strong partnership that includes regularly scheduled work days where staff and residents meet to “clean up their yard”, whether it be raking and mulching, or planting annuals. Along with the many surrounding historic structures in the greater neighborhood much of the immediate surrounding park redevelopment and infill dates back to the 1980's when center city Charlotte was just starting to be redeveloped by urban pioneers. With more attention on the center city parks in First, Second and Third Ward, it is only fitting to visit and access Fourth Ward Park. Please join Civic By Design's October agenda to revisit Fourth Ward Park.
THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AGENDA:
1. Visit Fourth Ward Park by getting out and strolling and/or;
2. Use Streetography on-site or remotely to explore images and commentary; Click here for access to Streetography http://www.streetography.com then search for Fourth Ward Charlotte and zoom down.
3. Consider design principles for making great city neighborhoods, inviting parks, and quality open space;
4. Access how the design and development of surrounding buildings have lasted the test of time as center city Charlotte has evolved.
5. Add you own Streetography images with commentary.
We'll recap and review the feedback by the end of October.
REFERENCE:
* Fourth Ward Park, Friends of Fourth Ward http://www.fofw.org/fourth-ward-park
"You can neither lie to a neighbourhood park, nor reason with it. 'Artist's conceptions' and persuasive renderings can put pictures of life into proposed neighbourhood parks or park malls, and verbal rationalizations can conjure up users who ought to appreciate them, but in real life only diverse surroundings have the practical power of inducing a natural, continuing flow of life and use.”
― Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities
CIVIC BY DESIGN
Presented with:
Levine Museum of the New South
QUESTIONS?:
PARTNERS:
Streetography http://www.streetography.com/
September Civic By Design Agenda
MARSHALL PARK BROOKLYN
SHOULD MARSHALL PARK BE SAVED AS PART OF THE BROOKLYN 2ND WARD REDEVELOPMENT?
Click here for images, likes, and commentary. http://www.streetography.com/tom-low-mpb
As a follow-up to our 2016 Forum and in light of recent events there are more questions on why new development in Second Ward needs to entirely replace Marshall Park with a much smaller and entirely different park as part of redevelopment. Although the park is not well used on a regular basis, it is home to rallies and protests and now there are last gasp efforts by some prominent civic leaders to keep it while at the same time others condemn it — one elected official called it a "hell-hole." But is the design of the park at fault, or are the surroundings affecting it's success? Please join Civic By Design's September agenda to discuss Marshall Park and the redevelopment design of Brooklyn Second Ward.
THE SEPTEMBER AGENDA:
1. Review Brooklyn Second Ward by getting out and strolling and/or on using the Streetography Marshall Park Second Ward collection with commentary;
2. Review the media for redevelopment proposals linked below;
3. Consider design principles for making great city neighborhoods, parks, and quality open space; and
4. Continue to exploring ideas and build consensus on ways Marshall Park and Brooklyn Second Ward should be redeveloped by adding to Streetography your images, likes, and commentary
We'll recap and review the feedback by the end of September.
[Due to blustery weather and elections this Tuesday's Forum meeting is postponed.]
Using Streetography http://www.streetography.com/ you can add your own images, likes, and comments or go directly to Civic By Design's MARSHALL PARK SECOND WARD collection by clicking here: http://widget.streetography.com/addphoto/index.html?lat=35.2206427&lng=-80.8438826&size=1000&collectionID=6295cff9fa
REFERENCE:
In June 2016 County commissioners selected BK Partners after considering three competing plans for what is now being called Brooklyn Village in Second Ward. This area was the site of Brooklyn, the African-American neighborhood demolished for urban renewal in the 1960's.
Media:
With Marshall Park, Put People Over Profit http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article169164292.html
First, Brooklyn was paved over; is Marshall Park next? http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/taylor-batten/article168068292.html
When Marshall Park goes away, where will Charlotte protesters gather? http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article148478909.html
Civic By Design Forum June 2016 recap: http://www.civicbydesign.com/Civic_By_Design/Brooklyn_Village.html
BK Partners http://brooklynvillage-clt.com/
Should Brooklyn be Redeveloped?: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article78652287.html#storylink=cpy
"You can neither lie to a neighbourhood park, nor reason with it. 'Artist's conceptions' and persuasive renderings can put pictures of life into proposed neighbourhood parks or park malls, and verbal rationalizations can conjure up users who ought to appreciate them, but in real life only diverse surroundings have the practical power of inducing a natural, continuing flow of life and use.”
― Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities
CIVIC BY DESIGN
Presented with:
Levine Museum of the New South
QUESTIONS?:
PARTNERS:
Streetography http://www.streetography.com/
August Civic By Design Forum
WALK-TESTING the BEARDEN PARK DISTRICT
Partnering with STREETOGRAPHY
STREETOGRAPHY WALK-TESTING TEMPLATE MAPS AND SCORECARD
With Summer in full swing, the August Civic By Design Forum recommends actually not meeting in an air-conditioned room and instead packing a picnic and trekking anytime in August to Bearden Park. But before/during/after you go, help us Walk-Test the Bearden Park District as CIVIC BY DESIGN 101 is partnering with STREETOGRAPHY for this latest Walk-Test.
If you are interested in participating in the Walk-Test click on this link and explore the images and comments so far. http://widget.streetography.com/addphoto/index.html?collectionID=7310385f38&lat=35.226934&lng=-80.8478&size=300
You can add you own images, likes, and comments by downloading the Streetography app and searching for Civic By Design's Bearden Park District Collection. http://www.streetography.com/
We'll post the Walk-Test results later in August. Enjoy the summer!
July Civic By Design recommends:
WALKABLE BLOCKS
Double Feature on Building Better Walkable Blocks
Diagram Detail: Walkable Streets, Blocks, and Building Mix Patterns Through the Urban to Rural Transect
© Civic By Design 2017
Happy July! Despite the heat, folks still love to meet!
For the July Forum we recommend two back-to-back events on Tuesday July 11 and Wednesday July 12 featuring national speakers:
How can we apply tactical urbanism techniques to show the potential of a space that is no longer working? Join host Building Community: People + Places + Partners Speaker Series with Dallas-based speaker Jason Roberts and get inspired and learn how to apply Better Block techniques in your neighborhood.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jason-roberts-better-block-foundation-tickets-35226023986
What makes one place walkable and other not? How do we make bicycling appealing in the face of auto-oriented street design, and how can all communities bring healthy transportation opportunities to their residents? Join host Sustain Charlotte with Portland-based speaker Nick Fabo a national expert on bicycle and pedestrian street design to find the answers and learn more from his discussion topic:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustain-charlottes-mid-summer-mega-mixer-tickets-35520332270
The June Civic By Design Forum goes to:
NU-WAVE URBANISM
Walk-Testing Waverly
Waverly Master Plan, Recent Aerial Photograph, and Town Center Rendering: credit Waverly Development and Charlotte Observer
Welcome to Summer! The June Civic By Design Forum is taking another fun field trip, this time going to Waverly in south Charlotte — promoted as a walkable community where you can live/work/shop/play all within walking distance.
On Tuesday, June 13 meet at the entrance to the Whole Foods at 5:30PM and we'll take a walk-test stroll of the substantially completed areas and end with an opportunity for refreshments at one of the new local third places to debrief with our impressions and tabulate our Walk-Appeal score.
Address: Providence Road NC-16, Ardrey Kell Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277. (Providence Road south of I-485)
NOT at our regular meeting spot at Levine Museum of the New South http://www.museumofthenewsouth.org/
Website and Media details:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article139619063.html
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article101547442.html
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article30037995.html
Reference:
Boomers, Millennials, and the McMansions No One Wants: “What's really attracting millennials are the communities that are bringing the urban flavor out to nonurban towns"
http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/boomers-millennials-and-the-mcmansions-no-one-wants/
Waverly by the numbers:
▪ Up to 250,000 square feet of retail space anchored by Whole Foods
▪ A 60,000-square-foot medical office anchored by Novant Health
▪ Two five- or six-story office towers, with 300,000 square feet of office space.
▪ 150 single-family houses and townhouses
▪ 375 Solis-brand upscale apartments
▪ A 141-room Hilton Garden Inn developed by Naman Hotels. The hotel is on top of retail space, and includes a rooftop pool.
The March of the MINI-CITIES
The Mosaic District: Urban Village Grows from SUBURBAN WASTELAND
http://www.naiop.org/en/Magazine/2013/Fall-2013/Development-Ownership/The-Mosaic-District.aspx
Goodbye Office Parks
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444914904577619441778073340
May:
Eastland
Something new under the sun
Algo nuevo bajo el sol
May 18 4PM–8PM 5249 Central Avenue
See the possibilities and be a part of the Eastland story. Join your neighbors and friends for food trucks, a pop up park, cycle track, interactive murals, and activities for all ages. Bring your stories, photos, and bikes as we learn from the past and test for the future.
18 de Mayo 16:00-20:00 5249 Central Avenue
Vea las posibilidades y participe en la historia de Eastland. Únase a sus vecinos y amigos para camiones de comida, un nuevo parque, pista para bicicletas, murales interactivos y actividades para todas las edades. Traiga sus historias, fotos y bicicletas mientras aprendemos del pasado y preparemos ideas para el futuro.
Sponsored by The City of Charlotte
April
STREET FIGHT
HANDBOOK FOR AN URBAN REVOLUTION
For our April Forum please attend this exciting free event tomorrow April 4. Janette Sadik-Khan is one of the world's foremost authorities on transportation and urban transformation.
Date and Time:
Tue, April 4, 2017
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM EDT
Location:
McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square
345 North College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Description:
During her tenure as New York City’s transportation commissioner from 2007-2013, Janette Sadik-Khan oversaw the addition of 400 miles of new bike lanes, helped implement the nation’s largest bike-sharing system, converted 60 plazas into spaces where people could sit and relax, and repurposed 180 acres of asphalt for pedestrian and bike use. None of it was easy—she faced opposition, harsh criticism, and even legal backlash along the way.
In her new book "Street Fight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution"—written with her longtime colleague and chief media strategist Seth Solomonow—Sadik-Khan tells the story of how she made it happen, offering a roadmap for making cities and neighborhoods safer, more sustainable, and more connected.
Join us for this powerful presentation, ask questions and join the movement to build a better Charlotte. The first 300 attendees will receive a free copy of "Street Fight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution."
Program Information:
6:00 - 6:30 pm : pre-event reception, light refreshments will be served
6:30 - 7:30 pm : Janette Sadik-Khan feature presentation
Learn more about Janette Sadik-Khan at http://www.jsadikkhan.com/about.html or review a recent interview at https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/janette-sadik-khan-interview-complete-streets
This event is part of the Building Community: People + Places + Partners Speaker Series presented by the City of Charlotte and Charlotte Center City Partners in collaboration with the Knight Foundation.
March
For our March Forum please join Habitat Charlotte for the second annual Building Futures: A Symposium on Affordable Housing. More information here: http://www.habitatcharlotte.org/buildingfutures
This event is free and open to the public; we just ask that you secure your spot by registering here: https://app.mobilecause.com/f/1790/n
SPECIAL TIME & LOCATION
5:30 - 7:30PM
Dale F. Halton Theater
Overcash Building
CPCC
1206 Elizabeth Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28204
This year's event features award-winning teacher, acclaimed speaker and Davidson alumnus Clint Smith, a scholar of the history of inequality in America. Clint's topic will be "The Perilous Convergence of Poverty, Injustice and the Affordable Housing Crisis in Charlotte."
Charlotte ranks last among the country's 50 largest cities for upward mobility. Our city faces an affordable housing crisis that is intertwined with so many other facets of life in our community: education, health, segregation and many more. Clint's talk will be followed by a question and answer period to provide an opportunity to have a community conversation around these critical issues.
February
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CHARLOTTE'S BUILT ENVIRONMENT?
For our February session of CIVIC DESIGN 101, please join us as perhaps a warm-up to venturing out into our beautiful city on Valentine's Day.
Join us, share your opinion, and receive a box of #candyhearts.
CIVIC BY DESIGN 101
Tuesday, February 14, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free car and bike parking at 7th the Street transit station
January
Time for CIVIC DESIGN 101 !
Starting Tuesday January 10 2017
NEW YEAR — NEW CHARLOTTE
CIVIC DESIGN 101
Charlotte’s changing fast — and more massive new developments are coming every week.
Are there ways we can help shape that growth? Political leaders, developers, planners, designers and ordinary citizens all hold pieces of the necessary knowledge. We need to learn from each other … and especially to learn how to talk together about what makes a well-planned livable city.
Time for CIVIC DESIGN 101 ! Since 2004, Charlotte’s long-running Civic By Design Forum has brought people together to discuss local growth issues. In 2017 the Forum will offer a series of monthly workshops aimed at helping people of every background become informed, active participants in the city’s growth.
Please join us in January as we begin CIVIC DESIGN 101 by laying out the year’s course agenda — with your input.
Course attendees will receive a Certificate in Civic Design. All you need to do is commit one hour a month. The course and certification are free and open to the public. Together let's raise the bar in 2017 and beyond!
CIVIC BY DESIGN 101
Tuesday, January 10, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free car and bike parking at 7th the Street transit station
Follow Us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
QUESTIONS?: info@civicbydesign.com
PARTNERS: Levine Museum of the New South http://www.museumofthenewsouth.org/
2015
December:
HOPE FOR ARCHITECTURE
SUBVERTING OUR DISPOSABLE CULTURE WITH ACTS OF PERMANENCE
Mass-wall Masonry and Tiimber Frame Construction
Image provided by Patrick Lemmon
INTRODUCTION
Call it an experiment—an attempt to subvert our disposable culture with acts of permanence. The Hope For Architecture (HFA) model couples old technologies with new systems of building to establish faux-free, energy efficient expressions of our built environment with millennial potential. The HFA model adopts the long-view in regard to the future. They are convicted by what this means for Architecture, conservation, and our identity as a people. Please join us in welcoming Patrick Lemmon, a builder who specializes in mass-wall masonry and timber frame construction. Coming on board the HFA program as its first apprentice, Patrick began working directly under Clay Chapman, who heads up the HFA program. After three years of apprenticeship and six projects, Patrick has struck out on his own in the Carolinas.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
Follow Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
THE DECEMBER 13 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. Address major concerns with conventional building methodology.
2. An overview of traditional structural masonry and thermal mass.
3. Hear about Clay Chapman and the beginnings of Hope for Architecture.
4. Examine the HFA mission and its building methodology.
QUESTIONS?: info@civicbydesign.com
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South http://www.museumofthenewsouth.org/
REFERENCE:
Hope for Architecture http://www.hopeforarchitecture.com/
Orthodox Masonry https://www.orthodoxmasonry.com/
November
XCLT
RAISING THE BAR IN THE QUEEN CITY WITH THE CROSS CHARLOTTE TRAIL
Image provided by City of Charlotte
INTRODUCTION
The City of Charlotte is partnering with Mecklenburg County to create a 26-mile trail and greenway facility that will stretch from the Town of Pineville through Center City and on to the UNC Charlotte campus and Cabarrus County line. Once completed, the Cross Charlotte Trail will allow residents to travel seamlessly from one end of Charlotte to the other. Approximately 98,000 jobs and 80,000 residents will be within a half-mile of the proposed trail, which will connect to many treasured places and major employment centers. This session reviews the work the City of Charlotte has done to date on the project and explores how trail building adds value to the city and its residents. Help make the Cross Charlotte Trail an unrivaled asset that connects you and your community like never before. Please join us, Vivian Coleman and Joe Frey with the City of Charlotte to learn more.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
Follow Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
THE NOVEMBER 15 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. Learn about the City of Charlotte’s involvement in trail building.
2. Learn how cities can leverage trails for economic competitiveness.
3. Explore how to balance placemaking and transportation goals to create a functional, yet vibrant trail experience.
4. Review best practices in trail design to achieve safe and accessible pedestrian and bicycle networks.
QUESTIONS?: info@civicbydesign.com
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South http://www.museumofthenewsouth.org/
Charlotte Department of Transportation
REFERENCE:
XCLT in the community http://charlottenc.gov/charlottefuture/CIP/Pages/CrossCharlotteTrail.aspx
SALADBOWL SUBURBS
The Most Interesting Street in Charlotte
Image: Central Avenue, Credit: Tom Hanchett
INTRODUCTION
Civic By Design takes a field trip October 11 to “The Most Interesting Street in Charlotte.” Meet at Light Factory photo gallery 1817 Central Avenue (free parking) and take a quick tour of the Midwood International Cultural Center. Then Tom Hanchett — urban historian and “Food from Home” columnist for the Observer — talks about the history and fast-changing current landscape of multi-ethnic Central Avenue. How does its jumbled geography jibe with urban theorist Jane Jacobs’ observations on the vitality of cities?
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
SPECIAL LOCATION
LIGHT FACTORY 1817 Central Avenue 28205
Free and open to the public
Free parking
Follow Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
THE OCTOBER 11 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. Tour of the Midwood International Cultural Center.
2. Learn the history of the Central Avenue and in what ways it is historic.
3. Hear and experience the fast-changing multi-ethnic landscape.
4. Discuss how these urban vitalities are essential to Charlotte.
QUESTIONS?: info@civicbydesign.com
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South http://www.museumofthenewsouth.org/
History South www.historysouth.org
REFERENCE:
Salad Bowl Suburbs http://www.historysouth.org/saladbowlintro/
This event is part of Civic By Design's Community Seams series.
PROTECTING BIKERS
Can Charlotte become a city of people on bikes?
Sustain Charlotte Images: Protected bike lanes in Broadway, New York and Seattle
INTRODUCTION
Protected bike lanes do more than provide people on bicycles safe places to ride; they connect communities, allow people to use their bikes as transportation and spark economic growth. Beyond that they allow for great public spaces, points of reflection and human scaled living. We have an opportunity right now to put in a connected, protected network in Uptown that would allow for our city to become world leaders in sustainability and innovation. We want to see Charlotte become a city of people on bikes. We need to design the infrastructure that will allow this vision to become a reality. Please join us and Jordan Moore, Bicycle Program Director with Sustain Charlotte on protecting bikers.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
Follow Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
THE SEPTEMBER 13 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. See examples of other communities and different ways people use bikes.
2. Review how realistic is it for people to commute and reach other daily needs by biking currently in Charlotte.
3. Find out who and where Charlotte has the strongest needs for inexpensive mobility options.
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4. Explore ways, using good design, we can organize our streets to include bikes as transportation and spark economic growth.
QUESTIONS?: info@civicbydesign.com
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South http://www.museumofthenewsouth.org/
Sustain Charlotte www.sustaincharlotte.org
REFERENCE:
Over 80% of people who work Uptown commute back and forth from the suburbs. With some good design and a little political muscle we could organize our streets in a way that would allow this "deck dump" phenomenon to take place whilst others, those who need inexpensive transportation options, would be able to live at a human pace in the context of their own city. We know that the neighborhoods within a mile of Uptown contain some of the largest pockets of poverty in our city. Connecting these neighborhoods by protected bike lanes and greenways would liberate residents from cars and have a healthy, beautiful form of safe transportation. Support our #iBikeCLT campaign for a protected bike lane in Uptown CLT! Visit sustaincharlotte.org/ibikeclt!
BELOVED COMMUNITY
What is next for Charlotte’s historic, diverse and up-and-coming Historic West End?
Images: Across I-77, the Historic West End is resurgent in a mosaic of old and new vitality
(Credits: Organic Imagery by Keyna B)
INTRODUCTION
As the trade path and setting for transformational events in Charlotte’s history and the birthplace of Charlotte’s Civil Rights movement, the Historic West End has been rightly called “the most historic place in Charlotte” by local historian Dr. Dan Morrill. The Historic West End community is now busy spearheading efforts to revitalize the area while preserving its heritage and character. As the CityLYNX Gold Line brings new prospects for development, the local leading change agents are hard at work ensuring the rapid change doesn’t leave locals behind. Charlotte Center City Partners, local neighborhoods, and the Historic West End Partners have crafted a Tactical Plan to build reflectively and preserve the diversity of the community. Grounded in a struggle for justice, which works inclusively for the life of every member, locals refer to this endeavor as the steps to becoming “the beloved community”. Come to hear more about that vision, including the efforts to pilot a “tactical” market, to seed grass-roots initiatives that restore health and economic opportunity, and to preview some of the future potentials for the area.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
Follow Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
THE AUGUST 9 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. What is the history of the Historic West End and why is it “historic”?
2. How can communities embrace change while preserving their affordability and heritage?
3. How can we create the dynamic diversity of “the beloved community”?
4. What is the potential of diversifying transportation choices in transforming communities?
5. Discuss how we can overcome the significant divide of I-77 in Center City.
QUESTIONS?: info@civicbydesign.com
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South http://www.museumofthenewsouth.org/
Knight Foundation http://www.knightfoundation.org/
Charlotte Center City Partners http://www.charlottecentercity.org/
Historic West End Partners http://www.historicwestendpartners.com/
Neighboring Concepts http://neighboringconcepts.com/
REFERENCE:
Articles:
Block by Block: Charlotte’s Historic West End (WFAE Charlotte Talks, August 3, 2016 Broadcast)... http://wfae.org/post/block-block-charlottes-historic-west-end
West Side Revival: Biddleville and Smallwood http://www.charlottemagazine.com/Charlotte-Magazine/March-2016/West-Side-Revival-Biddleville-Smallwood/
Historic West End wants to be the model for development without displacement https://www.charlotteagenda.com/29765/historic-west-end-wants-to-be-the-model-for-development-without-displacement/
Bridging the Divide: Connecting People to Opportunity (USDOT video highlighting Secretary Anthony Foxx’s life in Charlotte’s West Side) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh7I-j9MTpo
USDOT Every Place Counts Design Challenge (a USDOT initiative partnering with CNU to overcome highway barriers in similar communities) https://www.cnu.org/everyplacecounts
Sameness in Diversity: The Legacy and Promise of Charlotte’s Historic West End (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EQ16i2yNNY
Charlotte Center City Partners Historic West End Initiative http://www.charlottecentercity.org/live/neighborhoods/historic-west-end/
COLLEGE TOWN
Building a TRUE College Town through a Complementary "Town/Gown" Relationship
At the beginning of the 21st century, many colleges and universities around the country have realized that they need to have more than a well-planned campus and top-ranked academic programs to attract students and faculty. Rather, they need to have a complementary “town/gown” relationship with their host community. The “college town” — a quintessentially American ideal city form can provide a very high quality of life, both for students of college-age and for faculty, alumni, and retirees who choose to live in these towns. But what if the existing town falls short? Any relationship takes efforts from all parties involved to make it happen. Apparently, the underlying physical fabric of the town where a college or university resides ought to consist of a set of physical components suitable in supporting “place-making,” which in turn transforms both the town itself and the campus it hosts together into a livable place for all. So what are those components necessary to build a long-lasting town/gown relationship that is beneficiary to both sides? Please join us for a Civic By Design Forum on building a true college town for Charlotte's University City.
For examples of walkable college towns go here.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
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THE JULY 12 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. An overview of Charlotte’s University City as a testing ground for the potential role(s) of a students-centered local economy in sustainable urban development;
2. Presentations of proposals focused on envisioning student/community retail centers that would be the “student place” to hang out, socialize, etc.;
3. A discussion on why these centers would have to be welcoming to and supportive of the general community for it to be viable; and
4. Explore urban design strategies that could transform the area into a true college town.
QUESTIONS?:
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South
UNCC College of Arts + Architecture Master of Urban Design Program
REFERENCE:
College Town brings together the University and the community
Community Building In College Towns
Students: Lisha Li, Raaga Bhandari, Jenna Young, Xunxun Zhang, Chi Zhang, Aline De Melo Nascimento, Kendel Baier, Vinay Kantharia, Evan Beaty, Stanford Barnes, Shuxin Lin, Monica Whitmire, Eric Zaverl, and Alyssa Nelson
This studio was directed by UNCC Professor Ming-Chun Lee in close consultation with the staff of University City Partners and local designers including Shook Kelly. Students first mapped out the area’s carrying capacity for future urban growth and economic development. They then developed a set of urban design strategies that would transform the area to become a true college town.
BROOKLYN 2ND WARD
HOW SHOULD BROOKLYN 2ND WARD BE REDEVELOPED?
Bird's-eye View of Second Ward Looking South - Bing Maps
County commissioners are considering three competing plans for what is being called Brooklyn Village in Second Ward. This area was the site of the African-American neighborhood demolished for urban renewal. But there is little consensus on what the redevelopment should look like. People are asking does Second Ward need a major new park as part of redevelopment? Marshall Park would be removed under redevelopment plans. Although the park doesn’t get a lot of love, some want to see open space saved. First Ward, Third Ward have large new parks. Romare Bearden Park in Third Ward is about 5.4 acres. First Ward Park is about 4 acres. Fourth Ward Park is 3 acres. For their part, county commissioners haven’t been thrilled with the proposals — in part because of shrinking park space. Please join us for a Civic By Design Forum to discuss the redevelopment design of Brooklyn Second Ward.
For an overview presentation of the Forum follow this link BROOKLYN SECOND WARD FORUM RECAP.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
THE JUNE 14 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. An introduction to Brooklyn Second Ward;
2. A review of redevelopment proposals;
3. A discussion on what makes great city neighborhoods, parks, and quality open space; and
4. Explore ideas and build consensus on ways Brooklyn Second Ward should be redeveloped.
QUESTIONS?:
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South
REFERENCE:
Mecklenburg County Request for Proposals
Second Ward is getting a second chance
Does Second Ward need a major new park as part of redevelopment?
Do the county’s plans for Second Ward include enough park space?
How should Brooklyn be redeveloped? No consensus yet
http://www.secondwardfoundation.org/
In December of last year, Mecklenburg County began seeking proposals for the renewal of Second Ward, currently referred to as “Brooklyn Village.” The idea is to create “a vibrant, mixed-use program on these sites, with an emphasis for uses to create a stream of economic returns to the local economy. The county has also required the developer to provide at least 30 units of affordable housing on the Brooklyn Village site, for “households earning 80% of area median income annually or less.
"You can neither lie to a neighbourhood park, nor reason with it. 'Artist's conceptions' and persuasive renderings can put pictures of life into proposed neighbourhood parks or park malls, and verbal rationalizations can conjure up users who ought to appreciate them, but in real life only diverse surroundings have the practical power of inducing a natural, continuing flow of life and use.”
― Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities
CHARLOTTE DENVER
WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM AN EXCHANGE OF CITY MAKING IDEAS
Union Station Denver — Image credit Tom Low
Since Charlotte's recent Super Bowl trip to Denver there have been two key additional trips by Charlotteans. But these are all about cooperation on city making. Local leaders are just back for an exploratory fact-finding mission focused on Denver's rapidly expanding transit system including their new line to the airport. Another recent trip on the invitation of Denver's leaders was for Civic By Design to present and participate on addressing Denver's infill development issues. Please join us for an opportunity to discuss more on what leaders are learning from Denver on transit as well as from Civic By Design's recent trip about collaborating on elevating development and design.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
THE MAY 10 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. Learn about how Denver's beautiful Union Station uses historic and cutting-edge design;
2. Hear about the experience of riding Denver's transit and see examples new Transit Oriented Development;
3. Draw lessons on how a combination of regulations and culture affect development and design in both similar and different ways;
4. Observe concerns about the bland buildings popping up In Denver and that they are not so different from those here in Charlotte; and
5. Hear about ways Denver is working with Charlotte to push for better development and design.
QUESTIONS?:
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South
REFERENCE:
Why Charlotte leaders are Looking to Denver for the Future of Transit
Principals for an Enduring City
Previously:
GROWTH DESIGN
IS OUR CITY GROWING THE WAY WE WANT IT TO?
Charlotte is booming again! As Charlotte grows faster than ever, what do you want the city to look like? How do we want it to work? And what role can YOU play in that? For our April Civic By Design Forum we are teaming up with Charlotte Magazine for a special time and place event. C3 Lab doors open at 5:30pm for networking. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. and will include a panel discussion followed by Q&A.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
SPECIAL DATE AND LOCATION C3Lab
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Networking 5:30PM
Program Begins 6:30PM
2525 Distribution Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
Free and open to the public
THE APRIL 6 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. Is the city growing the way we want it to?
2. Why do so many of the new buildings look alike -- and not all that great?
3. Why are old buildings important, if they're not the scene of important historic events?
4. How do we save older buildings that provide space for small businesses like Common Market?
5. We've talked about lot about places like South End but what's the future of other areas?
QUESTIONS?:
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South
REFERENCE:
Panelist include:
Chuck Barger - Chuck is the owner of The Common Market in SouthEnd.
Monica Carney - As the Planning Coordinator of Urban Design at City of Charlotte, Monica actively works with stakeholders to reach sustainable, implementable solutions. Prior to joining the city, she consulted over 30 communites big and small on planning issues. Learn more about Monica here.
David Furman - Developer and architect David Furman's company, CentroCityWorks, creates urban housing developments that help grow the neighborhoods around them. Furman was featured in our December issue as one of our 2015 Charlotteans of the Year.
Tom Low - Tom is the Director of Civic By Design, which brings Charlotteans together to discuss civic design issues in Charlotte. Tom is a registered architect, certified planner, and LEED professional, serving on local boards and professional organizations. He is the founding board member of Sustain Charlotte, the Congress of the New Urbanism Carolinas and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art Charlotte. Learn more about Tom here.
Moderator:
Mary Newsom - Mary is the Associate Director of Urban and Regional Affairs at UNC Charlotte's Urban Institute. She works on strategic community and university partnerships and oversees the institute's online communications. Learn more about Mary here.
BECOMING JANE JACOBS
UNDERSTANDING THE ROOTS OF JANE JACOBS'S POWERS OF OBSERVATION AND COMMON SENSE ON CITY LIFE
Image — Book Cover: University of Pennsylvania Press
It's the stuff of urban legends, Jacobs, a housewife, single-handedly took on Robert Moses, New York City's powerful master builder, and other city planners who sought first to level her Greenwich Village neighborhood and then to drive a highway through it. Jacobs’s most effective weapons in these David-versus-Goliath battles, and in writing her book, were her powers of observation and common sense. Becoming Jane Jacobs shows that what is missing from such discussions and myths about Jacobs is a critical examination of how she arrived at her ideas about city life and how her ideas related to others.
Please join us in welcoming Peter Laurence, author of the new book Becoming Jane Jacobs. With a consideration of Jacobs’s writing career in its historical context, and through the analysis of many unknown writings, Laurence asserts that Death and Life was not the spontaneous epiphany of an amateur activist but the product of a professional writer and experienced architectural critic with deep knowledge about the renewal and dynamics of American cities.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, MARCH 8, 2016
5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Book signing following at 7:00pm at the 7th Street Public Market
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
THE MARCH 8 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. Learn about the Jacobs’s early life and writing career leading up to her great book The Death and Life of Great American Cities
2. Observe the relationship of Jacobs’s writing career and Death and Life to the evolution of suburbanization and urban renewal;
3. Learn about the intersections of Jacobs’s career with the histories of architectural criticism and the field of urban design;
4. Understand the struggle and process of writing Death and Life;
5. Draw lessons about disciplinarity in architecture, city planning, and related fields, and consider the applicability of Jacobs’s ideas today.
QUESTIONS?:
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South
REFERENCE:
Jane Jacobs is universally recognized as one of the key figures in American urbanism, and The Death and Life of Great American Cities, which she wrote between 1958 and 1961, is considered one of the most important books on cities. Becoming Jane Jacobs is an intellectual biography focusing on Jacobs’s early life and writing career leading up to her great book, offering a new foundation for understanding not only Death and Life but her subsequent books on cities, economies, and civilizations.
http://becomingjanejacobs.com/
http://www.upenn.edu/pennpress/book/15508.html
Peter L. Laurence, PhD, is Associate Professor of Architecture and Director of Graduate Studies at Clemson University School of Architecture, where he teaches architectural and urban history and theory, and architecture and urban design.
7PC SQUARE
RE-IMAGINING THE INTERSECTION AREA OF 7TH STREET, PECAN AVENUE, AND CASWELL ROAD
AS A NEW GATHERING PLACE
Images — Photoshop rendering of recent proposed development, and the existing Intersection of 7th Street, Pecan Avenue, and Caswell Road (7PC) in the Elizabeth neighborhood
As the tidal-wave of infill and redevelopment projects continue to roll on, there is a growing call for developers to collaborate with the community on our public realm. Should private redevelopment in Elizabeth along 7th Street, Pecan Avenue, and Caswell Road (7PC) include additional consideration for public gathering spaces? Please join us as we explore another opportunity to re-imagine Charlotte at 7PC.
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 | 5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
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THE FEBRUARY 9 EVENT: The following will be included in this event:
1. Hear about recent redevelopment projects in the area of the Elizabeth neighborhood;
2. Learn about the history of the Parks Movement and how a century ago local leaders worked with planner John Nolen to frame Elizabeth's civic plan;
3. Review new trends in development, rethinking transportation, placemaking, destination streetscape design, and greenway connectivity;
3. Discuss methods of collaborative planning and design for both private development and the public realm; and
4. Explore ideas on transforming this passé intersection area into a community destination as part of Elizabeth's neighborhood heart.
QUESTIONS?:
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South
REFERENCE:
Here’s what it’s probably going to look like on 7th Street in Elizabeth — Charlotte Agenda
Independence Park vision — Landmarks Commission
Elevated concern about ugly design and weak regulations — Charlotte Talks
Q2P2 — YouTube
Monroe Avenue Streetcar - Charlotte Observer
SQ2 — Youtube
BLAND CHARLOTTE
This Tuesday both Charlotte Talks and Civic By Design will host events on topic of the challenges of recent wave of bland buildings and urbanism.
Image: Recent bland development along South Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina
CHARLOTTE TALKS
Presented with WFAE
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | 9:00am — 10:00am
http://wfae.org/programs/charlotte-talks-wfae
CIVIC BY DESIGN FORUM
Presented with Levine Museum of the New South
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | 5:30pm — 6:30pm
Levine Museum of the New South
Free and open to the public
Free parking at 7th street parking garage after 5:00pm
THE JANUARY 12 EVENTS: The following will be included in these event:
1. Learn about recent concerns with the design and quality of recent development,
2. Review the key top issues affecting this trend,
3. Hear explanations from a panel of leading Architects and Planners, and
4. Explore ways we can fight back against this Charlotte trend with innovative tools, coalitions, and civic design.
QUESTIONS?:
PARTNERS:
Levine Museum of the New South
REFERENCE:
Fighting Back Against Ugly Buildings Charlotte Magazine
Here is our 2015 poster collage of event images and a numbered list describing each monthly event.
See if you can match the images with the specific event.
Click the poster or here for answers and additional information.
In 2011 Civic By Design launched the CIVILIZING PLACES Initiative
