Engaging Residents to Inform Development Plans
Since purchasing the land, the Casey Foundation-Atlanta Civic Site (ACS) has been working with residents to craft a plan for the redevelopment of the property. In 2007, 72 residents participated in the Community Economic Development Institute (CEDI), a collaboration between the Casey Foundation, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. The six-month, semi-weekly course covered issues related to community economic development, including transit-oriented development, business attraction, affordable housing, sustainable development, financing, and green space.
CEDI graduates led Study Circles through which they engaged outside professionals, public officials, nonprofit leaders, architects, designers, and other residents in in-depth discussions of these topics and drafted recommendations for the development of the University Avenue property.
ACS has engaged SNDSI to coordinate the development of the property. As a first step, SNDSI is engaging CEDI graduates and other residents its work to stabilize the housing market in Pittsburgh.