Community Visioning and Planning
Alchemist
enjoys working with community groups and neighborhood associations to
help them envision the future of their neighborhoods. We held such a
workshop in May 2006 in the Alkali and Mansion Flats neighborhood.
Outcomes from the workshop were the genesis of the Urban Farm Stand
project. The event was a great success, with over 25 residents
participating in a visioning session for the community, with a focus on
the future of 12th St.
The event included workstations on transportation, housing, design & zoning, and civic and commercial spaces, as well as presentations on redevelopment activities and the general plan update.
Local architect Greg Taylor made a presentation on urban planning and design in Melbourne, Australia. Alchemist facilitators began the workshop by asking participants what they like the most about their neighborhood. Participants conveyed great appreciation for the historic qualities, the variety of architecture and housing choices, and the diversity of the residents. Many participants expressed great enthusiasm for the new community garden and pointed to numerous community benefits resulting from the garden. When asked about the future of the neighborhood, residents made it clear that they are eager to see development proceed, and voiced strong convictions that this can be accomplished while protecting the unique character of Alkali & Mansion Flats.
Residents envision the 12th St. Commercial Corridor as a mixed-use, mixed-income and pedestrian- friendly neighborhood core, with developments that harmonize with the surrounding buildings while increasing residential density. Participants voiced a strong desire for opportunities and programs to help renters move into home-ownership. Locally owned, unique, healthy, organic and ethnically diverse restaurants and businesses are also desired for 12th St. If your community or neighborhood organization is interested in an Alchemist-led visioning session, please contact us for more information!
On the Other Projects page, under Community Visioning and Planning, at the bottom of that section, but still under the visioning and planning heading add: Alchemist built upon this visioning process in Alkali Flat in 2010. Working with a group of UC Davis Community and Regional Development students, Alchemist hosted a resident meeting at Globe Mills (Affordable senior housing and lofts) to assess resident interest in, and need for, a continued Urban Farm Stand in their community. Results from that meeting will be posted soon.
Other Projects
Community Action Movie Night
In 2005, Alchemist carried out Community Action Movie Nights in
downtown Sacramento, which featured films on various topics relevant to
the growing Sacramento Region. It was an opportunity for those concerned
with social justice issues to come together, be challenged and build
relationships. After a lapse of many years in this project, Alchemist’s
board of directors is seeking community volunteers that may be
interested in reinitiating the project and bringing a new series of
films to the community. If you would like to help bring that vision to
fruition, please contact Davida Douglas at
davida@alchemistcdc.org.