The Wealthy-Jefferson Initiative: The Business Sector

1. The Wealthy-Jefferson Initiative: The Business Sector Maria Beversluis, Sadie Healy, Daniel Heffner and Janelle Vandergrift, Calvin College Rationale Proposed Business Initiatives Why Revitalization? The Inner City Christian Federation, along with community members, business owners and city leaders have expressed their mutual desire through charettes to revitalize the Wealthy-Jefferson area. This includes both the residential and business sectors. This project focuses solely on the revitalization of the business sector, but in cooperation with ICCF’s residential development initiative. Research suggests that local business can in fact assist in neighborhood revitalization. “When combined with pedestrian-friendly street scapes, locating every day amenities such as parks and retail shops within a neighborhood can increase pedestrian travel and neighbor interaction within a community” (Lund, 2003). To move forward with this development we need support from all stakeholders: local residents, business owners, city leaders, churches, development agencies and area investors. Parking is currently located along Wealthy Street where proposed business will locate. Parking to accommodate the needs of businesses, residents and St. Mary’s hospital will be re-located on the South side of the business district. Moving parking to this location is important for safety and aesthetic reasons. It is necessary to create a diverse business sector of both well known and local businesses that will appeal to all income levels to maintain character of neighborhood as well as generate new growth. These are business suggestions that we are offering residents, business owners and city leaders of business options that we believe will generate the revitalization of Wealthy Street from Jefferson to Division Street. Suggestions are made in the consideration of pre-existing businesses and residents; it is intended to be for a mixed-income population. Revitalization will be beneficial to residents by hopefully eliminating current problems in the area such as drugs and prostitution. W S N E Division Street • The grocery store must meet the needs of each resident. The grocery store will need to accept WIC and food stamps as well as appeal to individuals passing by. • The Hardware Store is proposed to fulfill the need for a local hardware store. Grocery Store, Trader Joe’s Wealthy-Jefferson Proposed Conditions Hardware Store, Ace Hardware W E A L T H Y S T R E E T Wealthy-Jefferson Current Conditions Sheldon Street • “Public spaces in the form of parks and civic centers also serve as symbols of civic pride and sense of place which promote the notion of community” (Talen, 1999). • Shoe Store will ideally appeal to a diverse group of people • Pizza Restaurant and Beer Garden will draw from a diverse population of customers. Proposed conditions of the Business sector along Wealthy Street looking East from Division Park Steps for Initiating Development Consult all stakeholders: local residents, business owners, city leaders, churches, development agencies and area investors. Establish representatives from each stakeholder group. Construct a committee composed of above named stakeholders to recruit local as well as well-known businesses. Seek funding from city officials, local philanthropists, non-profit organization and local developers. 4. Explore possibilities for combating displacement due to gentrification including residential tax caps, continued neighborhood involvement and input as well as maintenance of original neighborhood culture according to current residents. 5. Developers must be committed to LEED certified construction and development as well as fostering walk-ability in order to promote community. Shoe Store Current conditions of the Business sector along Wealthy Street looking East from Division Neighborhood Circa 1912 4,744 residents Neighborhood Today 946 Residents Pizza Restaurant and Beer Garden LaGrave Street • Consignment shops have the potential to drawn from upper, middle and lower class populations. • It would be beneficial to have a pharmacy located in walking distance to the hospital. • An ice cream store located on the corner of a roundabout will be a child-friendly location. Consignment Shop Pharmacy Abstract References Ice Cream Store Lund, Hollie. “Testing the Claims of New Urbanism: Local Access, Pedestrian Travel, and Neighboring Behaviors.” Journal of American Planning Association 69.4 (2003): 414-29. Talen, Emily. “Sense of Community and Neighborhood Form: An Assessment of the Social Doctrine of New Urbanism.” Urban Studies 36.8 (1999): 1361-79. Jefferson Street