From Fitzgerald to Oak Cliff
By Stephanie Harbin
How our communities deal with vacant lots, abandoned properties, economic growth, social decline, some level of poverty were just some of the things we found in common with others on the civic commons learning journey to Oak Cliff in Dallas, led by Better Block. It is always good to find new partners in this important work.
Ideas and community coming together
Better Block founder Jason Roberts shared his methods on how to develop open spaces and temporary pop-up events to fuel and engage the community, how to overcome obstacles, to be innovative and never give up on the vision for the community. He showed us that when ideas and community come together through Better Block, neighborhoods can be revived, restored and renewed. The vibrant communities that result bring people together to share ideas and effort to create further improvement. And that creates long term opportunities to change the landscape for a better quality of life.
Travel to Oak Cliff encouraged me to think of everyone as a community stakeholder, from children to adults to business owners. What I saw makes me optimistic about Fitzgerald Revitalization Project in Detroit putting our neighborhood on a pathway to recovery for sustainability.
An opportunity lens
We must use an opportunity lens through which we view everything as having value. How can we put to use what others might discard? How can we overcome stigma that unfairly casts a negative shadow on our neighborhood? How can we develop a positive plan that will encourage the community to work together so that our project gains momentum? How can we attract additional attention from local and state governments, along with foundations?
Moving forward in a positive direction
Without hesitation I can say that the Fitzgerald Revitalization Project for the City of Detroit is a step in the right direction for the Fitzgerald area. This project is long overdue and very much needed. For me it is an answered prayer for the Fitzgerald Community to thrive and become vibrant again. Our goal for the Fitzgerald Community is the only way we can go and that is up and forward in a positive direction.
Stephanie Harbin is President of San Juan Block Club in the Fitzgerald neighborhood of Detroit.
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration between The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation and local partners.
