Neighbourhoods Alive!
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Taking the Pulse of Practice: Manitoba Practicing Planner Case in point 2007 Neighbourhoods Alive! A Multi-Pronged Initiative for Community Based Neighbourhood Revitalization Tamara Peralta; Myra Cruz Arado, MCP; Nadalene Khan, MCP; Sheri Blake, BES, M. Eng, D. Eng, & MCIP. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Table of Contents This case study evaluates Executive Summary the Province of Manitoba’s - 1 - Neighbourhoods Alive! (NA!) initiative as a multi-pronged Background & Context model for community-based - 1 - neighbourhood revitalization in Winnipeg’s North End Facts of the Case neighbourhoods. The evaluation - 2 - focuses on the processes by which NA! facilitates community- Actions & Interactions based neighbourhood renewal - 4 - through an established partnership with the North End Community Renewal Corporation (NECRC). Emphasis is placed on partnerships Lessons Learned that encourage a grassroots approach to community development - 5 - and neighbourhood revitalization. The evaluation is articulated through multi-pronged NA! project initiatives that respond to the Recommendations diverse areas of physical improvements; employment and training; - 8 - education and recreation; and safety and crime prevention. Looking Ahead The purpose of this case study is to identify opportunities and - 8 - challenges of the NA! model in order to develop enhancement recommendations for NA! to function as a service vehicle through References which effective inner city revitalization in Winnipeg can occur. - 9 - About the Authors BACKGROUND & CONTEXT - 9 - The challenge of inner city decline and disinvestment is multifaceted and requires multi-pronged approaches to renewal. There is no single way to rebuild neglected communities. However, community- based neighbourhood revitalization is one approach which attempts to reverse the progression of neglect and decline. The intent of this approach is to identify the local strengths, capacities, issues and challenges of a specific neighbourhood. It is assumed that this approach will aid the community in the development of a comprehensive grassroots neighbourhood revitalization plan which will work toward improving the overall quality of life in the community. To sustain the community building process, it is essential to build 1 local capacity, foster community learning, establish Neighbourhoods Alive! Programs and sustain community partnerships. NA! identifies that the community is in the best position to generate objectives and strategies to support Neighbourhoods Alive! neighbourhood revitalization. NA! funding responds to four key areas which are designed to address Neighbourhoods Alive! (NA!) is a local community the revitalization process. These areas of eligible development initiative that can be considered ‘cutting funding include housing and physical improvements; edge’ for its approach to urban neighbourhood employment and training; education and recreation; revitalization. NA! was launched in 2000, and is best and safety and crime prevention. Designated NA! described as the Province of Manitoba’s long-term, neighbourhoods have access to a series of programs, community based, social and economic development including Lighthouses, Training Initiatives, Community strategy. The goal of NA! is to revitalize designated Initiatives, Neighbourhood Housing Assistance, neighbourhoods in Manitoba’s three largest cities, Neighbourhood Development Assistance (NDA) including Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. NA! and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF). For works toward revitalizing communities by providing further descriptions of the NA! programs, refer to the community based organizations with financial assistance Neighbourhoods Alive! website. and planning tools and supports. These supports are intended to facilitate local strategic/neighbourhood NA! partners with five NRCs including the Spence planning processes, capital/enhancement projects, Neighbourhood Association, West Broadway economic development and community support Development Corporation, Brandon Neighbourhood programs. Specifically, NA! adopts a community- Renewal Corporation, Thompson Neighbourhood led model to address neighbourhood revitalization. Renewal Corporation and the North End Community Although NA! is administered at the provincial level, the Renewal Corporation (NECRC) to deliver the multi- community-led model enables Neighbourhood Renewal pronged initiative. NA! provides project funding Corporations (NRCs) to establish goals and develop (through the NRF) and core operational funding support strategies that best meet community objectives. The (through the NDA) to assist NRCs in the management community-led model to neighbourhood revitalization is and coordination of community based renewal in what renders NA! as a responsive, multi-pronged and their respective communities. The coordination of progressive cutting edge initiative. The community-led revitalization initiatives are guided by the goals set out model has been a valuable approach through which in Five Year Neighbourhood Plans, developed by each provincial funding and community-driven strategies NRC in consultation with their community. have encouraged positive neighbourhood change. FACTS OF THE CASE MOUNTAIN AVE. M ATHESON AVE. KIMBERLY 10 CATHEDRAL AVE. In 1998, NECRC was established to promote the social, MUNROE AVE. MCGREGORREDWOOD ST. AVE. SELKIRK AVE. ARLINGTON economic, and cultural renewal of the North End of DUFFERIN AVE. 5 Winnipeg. NECRC works within 11 neighbourhoods, ALEXANDER AVE. 8 SELKIRK AVE. Neighbourhoods Alive! (NA!) five of which are TRINITY ST. Winnipeg Neighbourhoods LOGAN AVE. 1 SALTER ST. CPR YARDS AIN ST. M 2 . T XANTE ST. S Legend designated NA! LOGAN AVE. 12 K O CPR MAINLINE MCPHILLIPS ST. O R B R NOTRE DAME AVE. E H 6 S WILLIAM AVE. Original NA! Neighbourhoods n e i g h b o u r h o o d s PRINC ESS ST. SALT AVE. AVE. MAIN ST. 1 Lord Selkirk Park A R JAMES AVE. C H 2 Point Douglas NOTRE DAME I (North Point B 7 LOMBARD AVE. A L D 3 Spence 3 9 FORT WATER . LVD 4 West Broadway SHERBROOK ST. ELLICE AVE. B Douglas, Lord BALMORAL ST. R ELLICE AVE. E. HE AV NC E VE COLONY AG GRAHAM PRO 5 William Whyte RT PO YORK MAIN ST. YOUNG ST. ST. MARY AVE. Selkirk Park, William INGERSOLL ST. 11 KENNEDY ST. BROADWAY Expansion NA! Neighbourhoods 6 Centennial Whyte, St. John’s . VE 4 AGE A R PORT VE RI 7 Daniel McIntyre E IN MARION IBO MARYLAND ST. ASSIN 8 Dufferin and Dufferin). O . S RNISH ST B CO O 9 North Portage R ST. MARY’S NE S RIVER RD. T 10 St. John’s . 11 St. Matthews ACADEMY RD. R 12 West Alexander VE. E NECRC engages D RIVER OR A VE. R R VESN A E IVE N D R GRO O RYD CO S and collaborates with North End residents, Map of Neighbourhoods Alive! Winnipeg Neighbourhoods. businesses and Map of North End Neighbourhoods. 2 community organizations. The work of NECRC is guided by the principles of Community Economic Development and their Five Year Neighbourhood Plan. The seven focus areas in NECRC’s neighbourhood renewal plan include: community development, community economic development, housing, employment, recreation and wellness, culture and diversity and safety. CED Principles 1. Local Employment 2. Local Ownership & Decision-making 3. Local Economic Linkages 4. Re-invest Profits Back into the Community 5. Local Knowledge & Skill Development 6. Positive Environmental Impact 7. Health & Well-being Eddy’s Restaurant & Billiards, Before and After Photos, North End Storefront Improvement Grant Project. 8. Neighbourhood Stability & Community Cohesion 9. Human Dignity 2. The Aboriginal Youth Business and Money Management Project is administered by SEED For a further description of the CED Principles, refer to: Winnipeg. This project aims to increase economic www.gov.mb.ca/ai/programs/neighbourhoods/toolbox/ced.html development opportunities and services for North End Aboriginal Youth through introductory economic and North End Case Studies business development skills workshops for youth aged 16 to 30 years. The NRF provides financial support for community- driven initiatives that enhance local capacity. To be 3. The North End Wellness Centre, administered by the eligible for the NRF, projects must commit to building North End Wellness Centre Inc., is designed to become neighbourhood capacity; neighbourhood stability; a multi-service centre that will focus on community neighbourhood economic development; and/or wellness. This project is a collaborative endeavour neighbourhood well-being. between NECRC, YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, Splash Child Care, and Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre. The The NA! multi-pronged initiative responds to the North End Wellness Centre will include a gymnasium, physical, social and economic priorities of NRCs and a youth recreation centre, an indoor skateboard park their communities. The following four projects, funded and play structure; a childcare facility; a community by the NRF, showcase the value of a holistic, multi- kitchen; and community meeting spaces. pronged approach to neighbourhood renewal: 4. The North End School Resource Officer Project, 1. The North End Storefront Improvement Grant administered by NECRC, offers resources to reduce the Project, administered by NECRC, was developed to risk of youth involvement in the justice system through encourage the physical improvement of storefronts the placement of School Resource Officers (with a and safety features of North End businesses, agencies, policing background) in North End High Schools. The organizations and cultural centres. The project allows project responds to parent councils’ identified