SDAT Process And Opportunities 010210

Community-driven change

Ashley Zarella Hand, LEED AP, Assoc. AIAChair, Sustainability CommitteeDirector, Area-Wide Workforce, Private SectorDowntown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council•Publicly elected June 2008

•Have worked downtown at AECOM since October 2007

•Have lived downtown since July 2008

1. Pasadena-Harbor Fwy (110)2. Hollywood Fwy (101)3. Santa Monica Fwy (10)4. LA River

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Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (Founded 2002)

The Sustainability Committee is dedicated to empowering the Downtown community to create a culture of sustainability.

We will work with the community to increase accessibility to existing programs and services through outreach and public education. We will identify and create opportunities for new programming and partnerships to meet our goals for a more livable,

affordable, and efficient urban center.

Sustainability Committee(Our mission)

Sustainability Committee(Founded 2008)

• Developing a community greening strategy and

resource toolkit for Downtown Los Angeles

• Increase participation by community members not traditionally involved with the neighborhood council

• Focusing on city services so product/work/case studies/reports/etc. is transferrable for use by other neighborhood councils

Our tools(Sustainability Committee: eight community projects)

• Outreach Connecting people to services and programs• Reach stakeholders at the neighborhood level• Focus on sharing information and capacity-building

(rather than trying to do it ourselves)

• Education Knowledge-sharing • Engage those with the know-how (professional or otherwise) to participate

in community-based initiatives• Empower the individual through community support

• Advocacy Voice for the community where necessary• Change the way the Neighborhood Council functions• Facilitate change through action

2009 Community-Based Initiatives(Sustainability Committee: eight community projects)

• Livability Urban Beautification and Living Solutions• Project 1: Rooftop Edible & Composting Containers• Project 2: Tree Planting

• Affordability Equity Now and for the Future• Project 3: Increase Participation in Energy & Water Efficiency Programs• Project 4: Increase participation in Recycling and Food Waste Programs

• Efficiency Resource Efficiency/Efficient Use of Resources• Project 5: Online Resource Toolkit of Existing Resources• Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant

• Empowerment Representing our Community as a Knowledgeable and Inclusive Voice• Project 7: Event and Education Programming & Calendar• Project 8: Green Living Program

Case Study: SDAT(Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant)

• American Institute of Architects, Center for Communities by Design

• $15,000 in professional assistance

• $5,000 community match

• 10 communities selected in 2009

I am an Associate member of the American Institute of Architects.

I am an Associate member of the American Institute of Architects.

DLANC has paid $1,500 of the community match. Rotary of Los Angeles has committed $1,000.

DLANC has paid $1,500 of the community match. Rotary of Los Angeles has committed $1,000.

Typically awarded to Mayors’ offices. First time award to a community-based organization like an NC.

Typically awarded to Mayors’ offices. First time award to a community-based organization like an NC.


• Oct 2008: Committee started; voted to pursue grant with a November 2009 deadline

Identify opportunity: membership as resource


• Nov 2008: One public meeting to discuss goals of grant and application draft. Participants invited to edit application.

Community participation: critical to ownership


• Nov 2008: One primary writer. Three people submitted edits and comments to application.

DLANC Costs: FedEx shipping.

Qualified leadership: engaging key stakeholders


• Dec 2008: Notification received that grant application was successful.

Celebrate success: seek recognition!

2009 Planning Excellence Award for Grassroots Initiative (LA-APA)

2009 Award of Merit for Grassroots Initiative (CA-APA)

First Annual NC Peer Award for Environment


[8 months later… signed MOU with the City]

• Jan 2009: Submitted American Institute of Architects MOU to DONE/City Attorney for approval.

Patience: some things take time


• Aug 2009: Met with DONE to review budget questions and MOU. AIA begins planning visit for SDAT kick-off.

Hindsight: start working before approval!


• Develop community goals with the help of steering committee/leaders

• Plan for low-hanging fruit projects for Neighborhood Council

• Strategic approach for longer-term goals and broader partnerships

• Ongoing: Project Team meetings and Sustainability Committee/DLANC discussion on SDAT Goals.


• Livability

• Affordability

• Efficiency

Walkability


• Interactive placemaking workshop with Project for Public Spaces & James Rojas

• Community participation to build reputation, empowerment, and determine priorities

• Empowering all voices of the neighborhood

• Capacity-Building What role could the Neighborhood Council play in helping the community establish and meet sustainability goals?

• Partnerships We know our role is limited by resources and volunteer time – with whom should we partner to meet our goals?

• Low-Hanging Fruit What projects can we undertake?

• Long-Term Vision for the Community What should our strategic vision be for a sustainable community? How do we empower other Neighborhood Councils?

Case Study: SDAT Project Team(Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant)

We would like to see:

1. A well connected, balanced Downtown with physically, socially, and economically integrated nodes of activity at the neighborhood level; streetscapes that support pedestrian activity; and open space that is adequate, well-maintained, and accessible.

2. City services to improve sustainability that are coordinated between Departments and easily understood and accessed by Downtown stakeholders.

SDAT Goals: Articulated through collaboration(Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant)

3. Neighborhood Councils with the capacity, structure, and model to follow on how to achieve sustainability goals at the grassroots level.

4. An actionable strategy for improving sustainability Downtown that can be implemented by the Neighborhood Council and Steering Committee members.

SDAT Goals: Organic development(Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant)

• Conference Call Discussion with AIA Staff about process and budget issues. August 2009

• Preliminary Visit Day and a half visit by AIA Staff and AIA SDAT Project Team Leader. Tour of community and introduction to stakeholders. September 2009

• Follow-up Conference Call Discussion of preliminary impressions of neighborhood and goals for next visit. October 2009

• SDAT Visit National team of experts convenes for a three day visit to Los Angeles. December 2009

SDAT Process – To Date(Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant)

• Walter Sedovic, AIA LEED AP SDAT Project Lead

• Jane Jenkins Downtown Business Improvement Districts

• Jim Diers Neighborhood Development & Governance

• Mark McDaniel Neighborhood Revitalization

• Eve Picker Urban Revitalization

• Paula Reeves Bike/Pedestrian/Transportation

• Sara Geddes Streetscape, Open Space & Sustainability

• Robert Yakas, AIA Urban Design & Sustainability

SDAT – The Team(Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant)

The Preliminary ReportThoughts and goals as presented by the SDAT

As an NC, focus on:• Empowerment• Equity (social/cultural)• Environment• Economy• Example

EMPOWERMENTThoughts and goals as presented by the SDAT

Expansive BaseAll stakeholdersNeighborhood ID

InitiativesGround-up (“Organic”)Complex: Stakeholder-Defined

AdvocacyData drivenShared vision

PartnershipsLeverage access to governmentSymbiosis DLANC Tree Planting Pilot

EQUITY (Social/Cultural)Thoughts and goals as presented by the SDAT

Diversity in Neighborhood/Housing

SchoolsParks & Playgrounds

Job CreationWholesale DistrictVolunteer

Neighborhood Stability

Seattle: Vacant storefront transformed for youth volunteers to repair bikes

ENVIRONMENTThoughts and goals as presented by the SDAT

ShadeVest pocket parksIndigenous planting

Water retentionXeriscapeGreen roof initiatives

Bike/Pedestrian Friendly

Neighborhood identity: what do you see?

ECONOMYThoughts and goals as presented by the SDAT

• Transportation LinkagesMulti-modalInterspersed with green space

• Ready for next shovel-ready opportunity• Philanthropic/Land Bank• Pedicabs• Art Window Shopping on Broadway

Seattle: Local night out highlights restaurants

and music

EXAMPLEThoughts and goals as presented by the SDAT

• Baby Steps / Major Initiatives

Measure successData-driven change

• ApplicationCity-wideRegional• Disseminate success stories• Paradigms/recipes• Prepare for world stage

Empowerment

Our outlook is criticalThoughts and goals as presented by the SDAT

• Move away from “NO”The city has no money…We can’t stop this…We can’t change the streets…We can’t fight the city…

• to “YES WE CAN”Focus on the power we do have – PEOPLE – stakeholders, community organizations, neighborhoods

Community resources

Maximize existing resources to envision a future for your communityThe “gift economy” – what can you give to your neighborhood?

Abandoned storefronts re-imagined

Community-led change realized

What does your community need?

Vacant right of way?

Built by the community

For the community

A recipe for success

Community ownership and pride

… or a community garden?

NEXT STEPSSDAT provides final report in March 2010

• Outreach on SDATEngage other NCs in this process and outcome

• Report - recommendationsSDAT has been challenged to provide real projects and obtainable solutions• Our work is already underway

Focus on expanding what we’ve learned to date

Grant application, preliminary report presentation and other information available online.

2010 Community-Based Initiatives(Sustainability Committee: lessons learned)

• 2009 project success/failures Evaluating last year’s projects provided valuable lessons• Taking a new approach to this year’s project structure. Instead of

committee-led projects, focusing on empowering community members to take lead with the support of DLANC.

• Remaining focused on our mission Reviewing our goals and objectives for the community annually enhances our vision for the community• Where do we see our neighborhood in five years?

• Best practices Efficiency of learning from the past• Empower community to take on similar projects and ideas by providing

information, resources, tools (outreach, templates, contacts, funding, etc.)

2010 Community-Based Initiatives(Sustainability Committee: structure)

• Project Team Leaders Oversee project progress (community volunteer)• Responsible for coordinating project meetings and developing project

objectives for implementation

• Project Teams Participate in project development (subcommittee)• Attend project meetings to volunteer their time and interest in the project

goals.

• Committee Chairs Coordinate committee activities (administrative lead)• Outreach and communication are primary responsibilities. Organize and

document best practices.

Los Angeles is rapidly changing.

The residential population increases annually.

Social equity is an issue for all neighborhoods.

There are empty tree wells, open storm drains, and a lot of waste.

Practical, accessible, affordable solutions will have the most immediate impact.

Get involved with your neighborhood council.

Share your passion for the environment.

Civic engagement will save our city.

downtownsustainability.com

Case Study: Skid Row Pilot Project(Project 2: Tree Planting)

Objective: Create a tree planting initiative that maps opportunities for new street trees downtown. Set a realistic goal for number of trees planted in 2009 and identify key areas of the neighborhood with the greatest need.


FEBFEBProject Lead (Board Member) designed program for outreach, education, and advocacy.

• Create a pilot

• Understand the issues

• Inspire other projects (Rotary Club)


APRAPRResearch and community outreach to tree planting organizations, neighborhood stakeholders. Contacted every elected official with our neighborhood in their district (State, County, City).


MAYMAYCommunity outreach and a project team meeting to enlist volunteers for the project.

• Community Partner Los Angeles Conservation Corps


JUNJUN“Tree Fair” Educational Event at Central Public Library for information about planting trees.

• Los Angeles Conservation Corps• Million Trees LA• DWP• Rotary Club of Los Angeles

Morning• LA Neighborhood Land Trust• Pershing Square


JUNJUNSurvey Day with volunteers from Skid Row and the community-at-large for a morning walk/early afternoon around the neighborhood

Tree Planting Survey Day(June 2006)


ONGOINGONGOINGOutreach and ongoing discussions with community partners. Research into maintenance funding – grants, elected officials, and Neighborhood Council Funds ($500).


OCTOCT

Designation as a “Signature Project” with a $11,160 maintenance budget

31 trees to maintain * 2 times a month * 12 months = $372/month

3 years of maintenance (24 gal trees)

$4,500 committed$6,660 to raise

Case Study: Skid Row Pilot(Project 2: Tree Planting)

• Phase I: planting 31 trees on S. Alameda

• Committed three years

for maintenance• Million Trees Signature

Tree status means bigger trees were planted

• Pursuing additional

funding for Phase II

They’re here!(Project 2: Tree Planting)

• 24-gallon Fern Pine Trees podocarpus macrophylla

Tree Planting Demonstration

• Pilot Develop a project template for future community-based tree planting initiatives

• Evaluate the issues Create a resource tool for the neighborhood through documentation and outreach

• Inspire other projects Foster partnerships to address community issues

• One of the volunteers would like to partner with DLANC for new community garden project.

• Empowerment Representing our Community as a Knowledgeable and Inclusive Voice

Case Study: Skid Row Pilot(Project 2: Tree Planting)

SDAT Process And Opportunities 010210

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