Pennrose’s Post

It's programs and initiatives like this tourism and economic development become force multipliers in improving local economies and livability factors within communities.

The 29th post in my "32 days of Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia" project. Only 3 more to go! Case Study II.29: Wyandanch Rising, Town of Babylon, NY How does a retrofitting project get started in an economically distressed community? The story of #WyandanchRising, a multifaceted suburban renewal project in a small, long-overlooked, underinvested hamlet in Suffolk County on Long Island, provides an instructive case study. The revitalization of the hamlet, whose residents are predominately Black and Hispanic, demonstrates the important role of new "chiefs" to champion on behalf of local voices. The effort began in 2000, when Wyandanch was identified by the Suffolk County Planning Commission as the most economically distressed place in the county. Two decades later, the hamlet can boast a rebuilt boulevard and extension to the nearest sanitary sewer district two miles away, an impressive new rail station and new commuter parking structure, and, most significantly, new apartment buildings with hundreds of deeply affordable units framing a public one-acre green plaza, in place of surface parking lots, all within a short walk of the station. By 2016, the project was reported to have leveraged $1.74 million in state #brownfields planning grants to over $131 million in public and private financing, an astonishing rate of return on investment of 75 to 1, with the potential for millions more. A significant part of the story is the ongoing effort to gain, and keep, the trust of local residents, who harbored entirely reasonable fears of displacement. At the beginning, proponents met with local clergy from 25 churches and other school and civic leaders over many months of regular meetings to help bring over 600 residents out for a five-day visioning #charrette in June 2003. Without this initial investment in people, it’s unlikely the rest would have followed. Contributors: Town of Babylon - Government; The Albanese Organization; AKRF, OLIN Studio; Jeff Speck; Sustainable Long Island; Torti Gallas Partners; VHB; BHC Architects; Keller Sandgren Architects; Merrill, Pastor and Colgan Architects; and others. Image: Town of Babylon’s Wyandanch Rising webpage. #RetrofittingSuburbia #urbandesign #urbandevelopment #regreening #reinhabitation #LeverageSocialCapitalforEquity #ImprovePublicHealth #AddWaterandEnergyResilience ULI Australia Suburban Futures Ellen Dunham-Jones Mike Day of Hatch

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

Veteran Housing Corp says that IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF A PERMANENT AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AND HOMELESSNESS, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IS BROKEN AND NOT WORKING FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS Veteran Housing Corp would ask every TAXPAYER to demand and get answers from their elected and appointed government officials the below questions as they relate to any affordable, workforce, or supportive housing project in your community! 1. How much local, state, and federal funding, tax credits, or other government benefits or incentives did the project receive? 2. What is the affordability period for each project? Is the affordability period permanent and in perpetuity? 3. What guarantees exist have your local, state, and federal government officials obtained in writing that rents will not go up or that tenants will not be displaced or evicted after the "affordability period expires? Every local, state, and federal housing authority and affordable or workforce housing stakeholder should adopt the State of Vermont's "permanent affordability" policy as a model for all future government funded or subsidized housing projects or developments, no exceptions! https://lnkd.in/eFEUC8c8 Additionally, local, state and federal housing agencies should look to the Helsinki, FINLAND MODEL of ending homelessness by providing affordable housing for all 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness https://lnkd.in/er9HZSQU Even the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AGREES THAT adopting FINLAND'S MODEL OF ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS may be of great value to resolving the affordable housing and homelessness crises in America https://lnkd.in/gkSZWYRU

Just 2 weeks until #DesignDC: Bringing the Housing Crisis Home! Join us on September 21st for this virtual session on "ADDification" without Gentrification - presented by Thomas M. Gallas of Torti Gallas Partners. Torti Gallas has actively participated in an initiative we call "ADDification®" in the Deanwood Community - creating 500 new affordable housing units for families without displacement. The Challenge: Find replacement housing opportunities within the Deanwood Neighborhood for current public housing residents BEFORE the redevelopment of the Lincoln Heights/Richardson Dwellings public housing site in a way that strengthens the larger Deanwood Community. The Solution: This collection of infill projects enhances the neighborhood with new mixed-income, family-oriented communities that keep existing low-income residents in their neighborhood, while providing opportunities for new residents to obtain quality, affordable housing and adding a mix of uses. Register for DesignDC today at aiadc.com/DDC-fall23 !

Did you hear about how #YIMBYTown 2024 brought together an unprecedented politically diverse group of advocates for housing reform? Cascadia Partners was there! Senior Associate Lydia Ness led a panel presentation on middle housing zoning reform 'Finding Middle Housing: Middle Housing Reform Success Stories and Considerations for Austin'. The session highlighted middle housing reform successes and challenges in states and cities across the country, particularly highlighting the City of Portland's Residential Infill Project's https://lnkd.in/gCU-g-s3 first year of implementation, as well as efforts in Austin and San Antonio. While there continue to be barriers to middle housing reform, stories like these highlight the potential for strategic solutions to address local communities’ housing needs. #YIMBYTown 2024 #CascadiaPartners #MiddleHousing #UrbanPlanning https://lnkd.in/db654uBS

This is a truly incredible deep dive into the history of how Massachusetts has created a region of housing scarcity and wealth segregation through zoning over the last 50 or so years. Amy Dain digs into individual municipality policy decisions and key periods in the 1970s when things changed dramatically, setting ourselves up to become a region of race, wealth and class segregation and housing scarcity on a level we couldn't have imagined. This is well worth a read to begin to understand not only how we got here... but how we can begin to claw ourselves out of this hole and rethink our region to create a better, more equitable future Greater Boston complete with housing abundance. "Profound zoning reform is needed for Greater Boston to be a beacon of equal opportunity, to strengthen society’s resilience in the face of rapid changes, to address political polarization, and make civic life just." Boston Indicators The Boston Foundation #zoning #boston #greaterboston #housing https://lnkd.in/g62vgbmi

Inclusionary housing policies not only helps in addressing housing but climate crises too.Thinking on how to develop inclusive housing policy and how such can facilitate provision of affordable housing in your city? this webinar is for you. see you on 19 October!

When and how can communities get involved in the development approvals process? How do we shift the dialogue from adversarial to productive? Last night, I had an open and candid conversation with 50 passionate community members about the behind-the-scenes of housing development in our city. We talked about the different platforms affordable housing could be delivered through, the definitions and terms, and what community members could do to work together with the development community to deliver more housing choices. Thank you Cheryll Case, Shannon Spencer, Daniella Balasal, PMP, MCIP, RPP Tychon Carter-Newman, PMP, RPP, and the CP Planning team for having me. This workshop was the first of a series as part of the Roadmap to promote racial justice in real estate. #torontorealestate, #affordablehousing

In light of a recent ruling by an Allegheny County judge against a previously approved affordable housing project in Fineview due to zoning complications, I am compelled to address the broader implications. This decision underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring affordable housing in Pittsburgh, especially when the city faces a staggering shortage of around 15,000 units. Judge Mary McGinley's verdict brings to the forefront the pressing issue of gentrification, which not only disrupts communities but also exacerbates the wealth divide. In an era where investors can remotely acquire properties in Pittsburgh, it's untenable to squander resources on legal battles bred in our backyard that stall crucial housing projects. We must prioritize the collective voice of the community over the whims of a few. Decisions should resonate with the present needs and not be swayed by outdated preferences of a minority. Affordable housing isn't merely about shelter—it's pivotal for a prosperous and inclusive Fineview and Pittsburgh. Our Future Hilltop is committed to fostering community dialogue. We host monthly gatherings, conduct polls, organize events, and ensure transparency through live-streamed meetings and online board minutes. Every delay in housing projects pushes homeownership further from many, threatening Fineview's essence. It's disconcerting when some choose to remain disengaged, affecting our collective trajectory. As the FCC board chair, I urge all residents, businesses, and organizations to collaborate with us. Your unique insights are invaluable. Your perspective is the portion of the tapestry that we're missing. Join our council and be part of Our Future Hilltop's vision. Membership is accessible to all, starting at $0. Visit https://lnkd.in/emt7J4Yb and let us reaffirm our commitment to community dialogue and collaboration in shaping the destiny of Fineview. #FCC #AffordableHousing Read the article >>> https://lnkd.in/eqEQiAVU Peace love.