904 Buchanan Street
Jones Super Saver
2014
Question—
How can we improve a low income, dis-invested, blighted area for existing and new residents and businesses?
Goal—
Create a vibrant place that is safe, affordable, where opportunities abound, and intentional development is a priority.
Our Approach—
Remove building from city demolition list and restore it, because Renovating existing buildings, where possible, is vital to retaining an area’s history, heritage, memories and sense of belonging
Create and provide nice, affordable spaces for small businesses, artists and creators AKA bring the right people on early in development phase.
Impacted Groups—
Existing Residents, small businesses, kids (exposure and interactive engagement throughout development process), & community stakeholders.
Partner Highlight—
Finding the right businesses and people pre-development was the key. All the tenants had the same mindset; they wanted to be a part of the neighborhood and not aside from it. They also did not rely on immediate foot traffic to sustain their business but would benefit from it when the area improved. Their investment in our neighborhood helped get all of the other projects off the ground and helped the community envision revitalization.
Emil Erwin, Kidd Epps Art Shop, Nisolo, Holiday Salon, Annie Williams, Consider the Wildflowers, Earthen Studio, Camellia Fibre Company, Travis Austin Customs
Result—
A location for businesses to sell, create and connect with the local community as well as show community members. We engaged the local residents at every avenue of the project, from planning & acquisition to leasing and development.
What typically happens without intervention—
In this case, this building would have been demolished. It was the lead-in property to the entire street and a vacant lot would have made it more difficult for the community to envision revitalization. OR, a vacant lot could have been acquired by a short-sighted/disconnected developer, to build something so different from the existing community, like expensive condos - leaving the residents uninspired or feeling pushed out.
