Are YOU coming? We hope so…
On November 7th at 6:00 p.m., Sandy Springs Together is hosting a Community Meeting to discuss the lessons learned from the Atlanta BeltLine, and we really hope to see you there.
One thing is clear: We, as a city, can do a better job of anticipating the OBVIOUS consequences posed by the proposed amenities that our city is implementing, such as the Master Trail System, the community center, access to the river, among others.
For example, let’s take a look at the Bridge Park in Washington D.C.
The proposed Bridge Park, which is expected to break ground sometime in the year 2021, would connect to trails on both sides of the river and provide a destination in a sector of the city lacking in amenities.
Hmmmm…this sure does sound familiar, doesn’t it?
Well, that’s because it is!
However, in D.C., the planners were told to “anticipate and address the impacts of development that the bridge park would likely attract”.
As a result of this directive, the entire community came together to make sure that the most vulnerable residents among them would not only be protected from displacement, but would become a part of the larger process.
The city even hosted a design competition for the bridge park design that included residents as judges. This shows that the city emphasized community input. Not to mention, many residents also served on the land trust board.
Furthermore, they formed a non-profit that partnered with a national community development company, and together, after 2 years, they have come up an Equitable Development Plan.
The proposed plan focuses on minimizing the displacement of all residents within a 1-mile radius of the bridge itself.
“The plan brings together residents, business owners, government officials, and policy experts to provide homeownership opportunities, direct social services, small business development, and affordable housing.”
The EDP Plan offers many benefits, such as:
- The construction of a liner park
- Technical assistance and micro-loans to local small businesses
- A land trust that provides permanent affordable home ownership opportunities for residents earning below the area’s median income
- Children’s savings accounts for low-to-moderate income households, matched 5-1 to roll into a college fund
But, it doesn’t stop there.
One of the biggest benefits is that the plan “has built trust and goodwill in a community that has good reason for being suspicious of big plans.”We know that we, in Sandy Springs, CAN do this! If you agree, read the article for yourself and join us!
