Location ∙∙City of Monroe, Michigan Services Provided ∙∙Planning and Market Study Schedule ∙∙Professional Services: 2011

PDG Project Team ∙∙Randy A. Mielnik, AICP, Project Manager

ORCHARD EAST NEIGHBORHOOD STUDY

Monroe, Michigan Following the completion of the City of Monroe’s CDBG Consolidated Plan, PDG was retained to assist the City of Monroe with the development of a Neighborhood and Market Study for the Orchard East Neighborhood. The purpose of this study was to document existing vacant and underutilized commercial and industrial properties and identify redevelopment opportunities. Issues related to retail supply and demand were identified using consumer expenditure data, along with data products from Claritas, Inc. Along with this work, larger redevelopment issues were explored with respect to redevelopment barriers created by existing zoning. Best practices were also explored with respect to rebuilding neighborhood retail. Concluding findings from this study included: ∙∙Evidence of unmet market demand for various types of neighborhood retail and service. ∙∙The need for place-making efforts to better define commercial spaces and centers of activity. Reference ∙∙The need to adjust zoning requirements to support desired forms of redevelopment in terms of both uses and development standards. Jeffery Green ∙∙The need to create an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District to encourage building reuse and redevelopment. Monroe Interim Director of Planning 120 East Front Street Monroe, Michigan 48161 734.384.9106 [email protected] Location ∙∙Toledo, Services Provided ∙∙Urban Planning, Corridor Planning, University Campus Planning Project Area ∙∙3,800 Acres ∙∙The Univeristy of Toledo ∙∙Main Campus, Health Science Campus, and Scott Park Campus Schedule ∙∙2010

Project Team ∙∙Paul Tecpanecatl, AICP, Project Manager

ERSITY C ERSITY C IV IT IV IT N Y N Y U U

CROFT H COTT PAR STRATEGIC LAND USE PLAN FOR “UNIVERSITY CITY” BAN ILLS S K

Results ERSITY C ERSITY C University of Toledo (UT) Strategic Land Use Plan & IV IT IV IT ∙18,000 sf Barnes and Noble book store which includes the UT bookstoreN built atY northeast corner ofN Dorr Y Dorr Street Corridor Revitalization Plan ∙ U U and Secor–the university’s southwestern gateway. Both plans covered segments of Dorr Street which connects ∙∙48 market rate urban loft style apartments under construction along Dorr just east of Secor at the southern to the University of Toledo. border of the UT main campus. AWA HILL BURROUG OTT SIDE THE HS The UT LU Study was the university’s effort to promote integration and ∙∙New mixed use buildings built along Secor Road, the southwest border of the UT Main Campus–includes connectivity of its three major campuses and surrounding neighborhoods after a Jimmy Johns, hair salon and Gradkowski’s restaurant. the merger of UT and the Medical University of Ohio. The LU plan was a result ∙∙New $4.2 million, 40,000 sf Technology and Incubation Center (designed by PDG and BHDP Achitecture) SIT SIT of a companion study by the university titled “The Relevant University: Making at UT’s Main Campus. LEED Silver designated building, partially fundedER byY anC EDA Grant. ER Y C IV IT IV IT N Y N Y Community and Economic Engagement Matter”, by Eva Klein and Associates ∙∙A 62 acre Advanced Technology Park was designed for UT’s MedicalU School on their Health ScienceU Campus. and Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, president of UT. The goal of this latter study was to Roadway and infrastructure improvements constructed and installed. Total project cost was $3.9 million with partial funding from EDA. position the university as the leading regional economic development institution ∙∙A 200 unit student apartment complex has been proposed for an 11 acreR GA siteRD on the southeast side ofO RR STREE fostering science and technology innovations and entrepreneurship. ECO ENS D T Westwood Avenue between UT’s Main Campus and their Scott ParkS Campus of Energy and Innovation. PDG was tapped by the university to lead a team of consultants in crafting ∙∙A 224 unit $15 million student housing apartment complex has been proposed at the SE corner of Westwood the strategic land use plan for the three campuses and surrounding more and Bancroft, located on the east side of the UT Main Campus just north of its college of engineering. UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO STRATEGIC LAND USE PLAN/DORR STREET CORRIDOR VISION

ERSITY C ERSITY C IV IT IV IT N Y N Y U U

CROFT H COTT PAR BAN ILLS S K

ERSITY C ERSITY C IV IT IV IT N Y N Y U U

AWA HILL BURROUG OTT SIDE THE HS Dorr Street Corridor Vision

ERSITY C ERSITY C IV IT IV IT N Y N Y U U

R GARD ORR STREE SECO ENS D T

neighborhoods encompassing a 3,800 acre area. This 2 1/2 year study included an extensive community engagement component involving university workers, university senior administrative staff, professors, neighborhood residents, economic development agencies, community groups, business owners, local school and church representatives. The Plan proposes a mixed use campus district tagged as “University City” containing the three campuses, two urban villages- Scott Park and Dorr Street, eight revitalized residential districts, vibrant and viable retail and commercial centers, “Complete Street” designs, extensive landscaping with key image elements, attractive gateways, a Reference logistics corridor centered on a major railroad spur, an attractive wayfinding system, a Mr. Matt Schroeder well defined ring road connecting the three campuses, and enhanced corridors within Vice President Real Estate and Business Development University of Toledo Foundation University City. MS# 319- Driscoll Center, 2801 W. Bancroft Street Toledo, Ohio 43606 419.530.7730 • [email protected] Streetscape Enhancement

Location ∙∙Erie, Pennsylvania Services Provided ∙∙Comprehensive Planning ∙∙Neighborhood Planning ∙∙Public Visioning/Consensus Building ∙∙Grant Writing Size ∙∙?? Schedule ∙∙Professional Services: 20??–2012

PDG Project Manager ∙∙Charlene M. Kerr, AICP

HISTORIC LITTLE ITALY NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STRATEGY

Results PDG worked with the Erie Redevelopment Authority (ERA), the City of Erie, the Sisters of Saint Joseph ∙∙HLI received Elm Street Designation—It was the first Elm Street community under Neighborhood Network (SSJNN), Housing and Neighborhood Development Services (HANDS), the Pennsylvania’s new Keystone Communities Program in 2012. Neighborhood Watch Group, and Saint Vincent Health System to develop a revitalization strategy for ∙∙An Elm Street Manager position was created and funded. the once-vital Little Italy area of the City of Erie. ∙∙Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) funds have been used for murals, programs, and neighborhood improvement projects. Using the Elm Street approach to neighborhood redevelopment, PDG and the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC), which consisted of the above members, developed a vision statement, a new ∙∙Five murals have been added to blank building walls, several more are planned. logo, and strategies for implementation in each of the five Elm Street key areas (organization, design, ∙∙Three successful community gardens, with extensive participation from children and marketing, economic development, and clean/green/safe; the PAC added housing to the latter area). adult residents of the neighborhood. Gardens in private yards will be started this year. ∙∙36 banners with the HLI logo and tag line have been placed along West 18th Street. The Revitalization Strategy included annual goals for each of the five Elm Street Committees for the next three years. (These have since been updated.) Key recommendations of the strategy included: ∙∙Homes have been renovated and new homes and an apartment complex have been built with help of HANDS and ERA. ∙∙Developing a sustainable organization, and hiring a neighborhood manager ∙∙Over ten properties have been helped with facade grants. ∙∙Clean-up and revitalization of the West 18th Street corridor ∙∙A skatepark was constructed in a City park. ∙∙Recruiting new businesses to the neighborhood ∙∙Extra lighting and surveillance cameras were installed. ∙∙Increasing home ownership and improving rental opportunities more... ∙∙A Farmers Market is held weekly throughout the summer. Historic Little Italy Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy

essence

∙∙Emphasizing the cultural history of the neighborhood ∙∙Making the neighborhood safer ∙∙Improve the physical image, then marketing the neighborhood, working with existing City organizations ∙∙Partnering with other organizations to increase the impact of individual efforts

Both Charlene Kerr and John Piper (a retired PDG employee) continue to sit on HLI committees as volunteers. Ms. Kerr is on the Design Committee and Mr. Piper is on the Economic Development Committee. Accomplishments to date include: define ∙∙Elm Street Designation—HLI was the first Elm Street community designated under PA’s new Keystone Communities Program in 2012 ∙∙An Elm Street Manager was hired ∙∙Elm Street funding has been approved ∙∙Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) funds have been approved ∙∙Five Murals have been painted on blank walls; more are planned ∙∙Two successful community gardens have been implemented ∙∙36 Banners with the HLI logo were placed on poles along West 18th Street ∙∙Five unique, locally-made benches with planters were installed on West 18th Street ∙∙Three Bhutanese families were assisted with home-owner educational and financial assistance thru the SSJNN Genesis program ∙∙Several homes were renovated and several new homes were built with help of HANDS and ERA ∙∙Several business forums were held for HLI neighborhood businesses ∙∙Eight properties were helped with facade grants ∙∙A Skatepark was completed in Columbus Park and has been successful ∙∙HLI is pursuing CHDO designation ∙∙Surveillance cameras have been installed; more are planned ∙∙Farmers markets were held on Thursdays throughout the summer

Reference Rosemari Graham, Director 425 West 18th Street, Erie, PA 16502 814.454.7814 [email protected] • [email protected]