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FOSTERING NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITYPresentation to:
City of Columbus – Planning Department
August 19th 2008
Jason Reece, AICP
Senior Researcher
The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity
The Ohio State University
www.kirwaninstitute.org
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Today’s Discussion
o More on Kirwan and our Neighborhood Revitalization Research
o Neighborhood Revitalization in Columbuso Trends, issues and conditions in Columbus
o Key Strategies/Principles for Neighborhood Revitalization
o Emerging Challenges
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More on Kirwan3
o Backgroundo Community Development Work
o Opportunity Based Model of community developmento Moving people to opportunity; building/nurturing
opportunity in distressed neighborhoods
o Recent Neighborhood Revitalization Projectso Land Bank Advising - Detroito Cleveland Regionalism and Equity Initiativeo The Columbus Foundation – Neighborhood
Revitalization Assessmento West Baltimore – Neighborhood University Initiative
Neighborhood Revitalization4
o General Issues/Concerns in all Projectso Common challenges
o Concentrated poverty, limited opportunity, disinvestmento Larger market forces are critical
o Movement back to the city; gas prices and urban living (+)o Housing market trends & foreclosures (-)
o Geographic context is criticalo Both within the city and when thinking about the region
o Language, Framing and Definitions are Importanto Avoid the terminology-concept of gentrificationo We still need to define successful (and equitable)
revitalization
Neighborhood Revitalization5
o General Issues/Concerns (continued)o Limited public resources
o Must be strategically usedo Must catalyze private investment/individual
actiono Social/Organizational/Human capital critical
o Neighborhood leadership and technical capability
o Issues outside of the direct influence of neighborhood planning are criticalo Public safety (crime) and educational
opportunity
Neighborhood Revitalization6
o General Issues/Concerns (continued)o A
combination of elements provide the best opportunity for revitalization
Neighborhood
Revitalization
Housing Stock
Public Investme
nt
Geography (Local; Regional)
Larger Market Forces
Neighborhood
Leadership
Institutional
Partners
Anchor Institutio
ns
Neighborhood Revitalization in Columbus – Trends, Issues & Conditions
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o Tale of two citieso Old Columbus vs. Newo In the Central City (Stable-Revitalizing vs.
Challenged)o Common challenges across
neighborhoodso Housing qualityo Vacant property/foreclosureo Economic development/povertyo Public safety/educationo Infrastructure needs/public spaces (parks)
Tale of Two Cities: Old vs. New Cols.8
Tale of Two Cities: Revitalized vs. Challenged
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Neighborhood Revitalization in Columbus – Trends, Issues & Conditions
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o Macro level issueso Columbus is a relatively healthier region than its regional peers
o Although statewide housing and economic challenges may be reducing this condition
Neighborhood Revitalization in Columbus – Challenges and Needs
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Stakeholder observations: We must successfully define what revitalization is to successfully
inform strategies. The process of resident engagement is critical -- many
neighborhood residents do not feel engaged or like real partners in the planning process and redevelopment activities.
Gentrification is a real threat in some areas; redevelopment should not force out residents; proactively thinking about efforts to avoid widespread displacement early is critical to avoid this threat.
Social inclusion and equity (fairness) for local residents must be part of the driving goals for revitalization.
Reinvestment activity must be focused on the long term (long term goals, multi-year).
Neighborhood Revitalization in Columbus – Trends, Issues & Conditions
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Stakeholder observations Local capacity building: Local organizing capabilities and capacity were
identified as critical ingredients to effectively guide redevelopment initiatives and to engage local residents. Although local organizing and capacity is crucial, most respondents felt that this capacity was disorganized and in need of significant additional resources. Several examples were noted: Scale up issue: not enough funds existed to build on successful programs
and initiatives. Connection / information sharing: Not enough networking to share best
practices and success stories among local organizations. Community organizations and representation critical, but existing
organizations are stretched and lack sufficient resources. Park , open space and public meeting spaces were critical to help build
community and spur community engagement, but these resources were lacking and often not maintained in most distressed communities.
The most significant hurdle for local organizations is moving from an all-volunteer organization to funding permanent staff.
Neighborhood Revitalization in Columbus – Trends, Issues & Conditions
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Several existing programs and neighborhood assets were identified as beneficial and critical to promoting revitalization. Historic character of housing stock is critical in
determining suitability for revitalization, historic housing stock was a crucial asset to spur revitalization
The Mayor’s Home Again program and Neighborhood Pride programs were often identified as key assets to promoting revitalization in distressed communities
Systematic code enforcement was often mentioned as a critical tool to address the physical neglect in distressed communities
Potential for Revitalization:Input from local stakeholders
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Weinland Park
Parts of the Near East Side• King Lincoln• Driving Park• Woodland Park• OTE
Hilltop
Good
Probabilit
y
Franklinton
South Linden
Near Southside
Mixed
Results
Milo Grogan
Far South Side• Hungarian Village• Reeb Hosak• Steelton
Low Probabilit
y
Strategies for Success15
o Define success before interveningo Equity “fairness” and inclusion must be an explicit goalo Adopt a long term approacho Adopt a multi-faceted approacho Network and support existing local civic organizationso Engage critical stakeholders such as the universities,
urban hospitals and major employerso Focus on “turning point” neighborhoodso Bring small success to scaleo Address specific macro level issueso Support establishment of anchor
institutions/developmentso Make catalytic investments
Strategies for Success16
The need to think in a long term and comprehensive manner were summarized by Jonathan Fanton, President of the MacArthur Foundation, at a recent LISC National Leadership Conference last year.
“…sustainable neighborhood improvement requires long-term, simultaneous investment in all the issues-schools, housing, health, jobs, economic development, safety, community cohesion, and more-that must improve together in a reinforcing virtuous circle. Practically speaking, this may mean applying a comprehensive lens and working first on the few interventions with the greatest potential to stimulate further change.” Quote taken from remarks made by Jonathan Fanton at the Local
Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) National Leadership Conference, October 3rd 2007, full remarks available on-line at: http://www.macfound.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=lkLXJ8MQKrH&b=1137397&ct=4498087
Strategies for Success17
Improving local organizational capacity: Assist neighborhood organizations in their attempt to “scale
up” to an efficient, well-resourced organization with trained and dedicated staff
Support an intentional, inclusive networking effort among existing organizations, so that they can share best practices and cut costs by minimizing the “learning curve”
Improving educational opportunities: Create new educational opportunities in distressed areas;
new outlets for educational opportunity are needed in distressed communities
Address early education issues for children in poverty, work on in-school reforms to promote positive educational outcomes
Strategies for Success18
Economic development: Small business/Minority business
development. Targeting reinvestment in traditional commercial corridors. Workforce/labor force training and development. Public transportation investments.
Housing initiatives: Aggressive and strategic land banking.
Foreclosure prevention activities. Encouraging market rate housing, homeownership and mixed income development. Supporting historic preservation.
Strategies for Success19
Expanding basic services: Provide access to affordable/healthy food. Provide support for community or park space.
Promoting public safety: Support community policing activities. Anti-poverty initiatives, redevelopment and
vacant property mitigation to address crime.
Emerging Challenges
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The escalation of the national housing/foreclosure crisis is going to create new challenges in many of these neighborhoods. Hitting “on the
fence” neighborhoods
Undermining re-investment/spurring vacancy
Undermining community organization/capacity
THANK YOU!PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR FORECLOSURE CONVENING IN THE FALL (OCT 2ND AND 3RD)Questions or Comments: [email protected]
Visit us on-line at: www.kirwaninstitute.org 21
