With the basis of this project being the design of a Catalytic Project, I chose to Re-design a building that is adjacent to the Popular Amaranth Bakery. The Washington park neighborhood currently has a some great redevelopment underway on the western side of Lisbon Ave. From our catalytic fire pit that we created, our primary focus was to push development eastward past Amaranth, where much more dilapidated buildings exist.
Where as, I felt that in my project to rather focus on a building west of catalytic project that had amazing potential to benefit the community. The building I chose to renovate is on the south-east corner of Lisbon Ave. and 34th street. The first floor is currently vacant, with a large open space in the front half of the building, the back end of the building is currently being utilized as a space for already existent community programs. The second floor of the building is currently occupied by an artist as both an apartment, and studio space. Starting off my project with the community research with my group, and the use of our community input game, I spoke with community members. Concluding my research I found out that the nearest fresh food market is almost 5 miles away for some, forcing many of the residents to rely on corner convenience, and liquor stores to get their food. The Washington Park area is currently in the state of being a food desert, so this being said, a fresh food market is desperately needed. As well as being a food desert the area is very impoverished, and doesn't have a lot of money for development. So my project would then be needed to being established in 3 separate iterations. Within the Corner Market portion of my redesign, there will be several spaces that would allow the growers to sell their goods. These spaces would be mainly located along the eastern side of the building, utilizing the already existent windows, and turning them into garage doors, would allow the growers to have both an indoor and outdoor market at the same time.
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The iterations of my re-design would be the creation of a corner market that would sell local produce, grown by local growers and urban farmers. A roof top garden / green house, would then secondly be created to extend the growing season of the already existent urban farm on site, as well as allowing fresh local grown produce to be available inside the market space. Finally, my third iteration would be the creation of an event and demonstration kitchen. With the intention of teaching the community ways of preparing produce, as well techniques of healthy living, as well as growing techniques so that they may practice healthy living at home. |