I was recently mentioned in an article on blueprintforbetter.org. Read below for an excerpt of the article.
By bringing together architects, civic leaders, planners, and community members, the American Institute of Architects’ Center for Communities by Design has served more than 200 communities in need over the last 50 years. The design assistance programs aim for realistic, localized outcomes to address ecological, economic, and social equity concerns. These three US cities were transformed as a result.
When a 40-acre railyard in Santa Fe was threatened by generic private development in the early 1990s, the city mobilized to purchase and protect the historic site. Over 6,000 community members, invested elected leaders, and a R/UDAT team developed a decade-long master plan, made possible through a partnership between a non-profit community corporation and the Trust for Public Land. In 2008, the Santa Fe Railyard had a grand re-opening attended by 20,000 citizens. The historic rail depot now serves as the northern terminus of New Mexico’s commuter rail, and the railyard’s cultural and commercial amenities draw new visitors every year. Today, Santa Fe enjoys a vibrant, multi-use civic space that preserves the industrial heritage of the rail line while strengthening the city’s future. Locals now refer to the area as the community’s “family room.”
Read the full article here: https://blueprintforbetter.org/three-communities-transformed-by-architects-and-civic-leaders/
