Post by Peter Barich
Last weekend I helped my neighbors paint our intersection at NE Mallory Avenue and Going Street. This project had no client and there was no payment for services rendered. But it’s probably the most important project I’ve completed while working with Communitecture.
I worked with City Repair to organize the day of painting as one of the many place-making events going on around the city as part of the Village Builders Convergence. A lot of energy, time and money went into organizing, preparing and permitting the project. It was taxing. But in reflecting on the whole process I can’t deny the smile that turns up the corners of my mouth at the thought of all the gains.
I worked with City Repair to organize the day of painting as one of the many place-making events going on around the city as part of the Village Builders Convergence. A lot of energy, time and money went into organizing, preparing and permitting the project. It was taxing. But in reflecting on the whole process I can’t deny the smile that turns up the corners of my mouth at the thought of all the gains.
There’s so much value in neighborhood place-making. When you finish painting an intersection everyone gets the satisfaction of having created a piece of art. Everybody gets to take photos and instagram something cool. Everyone that joins in spends quality time painting with their own two hands of their own volition. Kids learn how to read a flat map of color and engage their noggins in transferring that understanding to some real application. Neighbors meet neighbors they didn’t know existed. Old neighbors reconnect. An awareness of a neighborhood community is fostered. And participation comes from a willingness and a want to make a piece of art that lasts, that others see, that is their own. Individual desires to create a place with art seeds a notion of authorship and responsibility in the neighborhood. And everyone benefits from that.
What I want to point out, though, is that the greatest value is gained by whoever is most involved in the project. I guarantee I’ve benefitted the most out of everyone involved because I was involved throughout the entire process. From meetings with City Repair to meetings with PBOT, from neighborhood gatherings to going door-to-door to rally the neighbors, meeting almost 100 people on the 4 blocks around my house in a matter of weeks, getting to know those folks. If you hold yourself responsible for leading the charge on a neighborhood place-making project you gain the knowledge of every interaction with every neighbor. You learn the histories of those that preceded you. You gain the familiarity of innumerous new friends in your community.
I can’t recommend a more fruitful labor than doing a place-making project in your neighborhood. Work with your neighbors to make your neighborhood yours! Lead the charge if no one else does! You will reap the benefits.
What I want to point out, though, is that the greatest value is gained by whoever is most involved in the project. I guarantee I’ve benefitted the most out of everyone involved because I was involved throughout the entire process. From meetings with City Repair to meetings with PBOT, from neighborhood gatherings to going door-to-door to rally the neighbors, meeting almost 100 people on the 4 blocks around my house in a matter of weeks, getting to know those folks. If you hold yourself responsible for leading the charge on a neighborhood place-making project you gain the knowledge of every interaction with every neighbor. You learn the histories of those that preceded you. You gain the familiarity of innumerous new friends in your community.
I can’t recommend a more fruitful labor than doing a place-making project in your neighborhood. Work with your neighbors to make your neighborhood yours! Lead the charge if no one else does! You will reap the benefits.
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