Community Meeting (August): Needs Assessment Results + Visioning

On August 15, 2024, Park City Communities and the City of Bridgeport hosted Community Meeting #2 at the gymnasium of Columbus School. Approximately fifty participants attended; many were residents of Greene Homes and some were members of the community that live or work in The Hollow.

The goals of this meeting focused on:

• Sharing and discussing the findings of the community needs assessment.
• Reflection and ideation activities, conversations about the future of the community.
• Collecting input about ideas for Early Action activities.
• Providing input and direction on a unifying vision for the neighborhood while defining design principles.

The meeting format included open engagement activities through stations displaying materials and prompts for resident input; it also included a group activity inspired by the game, Family Feud, where residents tested their knowledge of community preferences with results from the resident needs assessment survey. This activity also included additional reflection and insights from participants.

Vision Wall: Residents were asked to input their ideas for a community vision using images and adding notes to explain what it meant to them and how that related to The Hollow.

Community Voices: Residents were encouraged to share their memories, current feelings and future hopes for the planning initiatives.

Visual Preference: Residents provided input and voted for the elements related to design preferences for housing, open space, and amenities.

Early Action Voting: Residents participated in an interactive voting process to select a prospective location and a desirable Early Action Activity. They also placed pins on a map of the Hollow to indicate where it should take place.

Some of the main insights from the meeting included:

• Need for open spaces and infrastructure that enhance safety, such as improved street lighting and universal accessibility.
• More recreational areas and youth-focused activities, with Lafayette Park frequently mentioned.
• Desire for better housing conditions, affordable housing options, and increased homeownership opportunities, with an emphasis on early action in Greene Homes due to safety concerns.
• Desire of environments and programs that foster a strong sense of community, which could be offered through local schools.
• Increasing access to fresh, affordable food through initiatives like community gardens or co-op stores, which can help strengthen community ties.

Additionally, within August’s community engagement, the planning team hosted a youth workshop. Approximately twenty kids and teens engaged in hands-on activities to imagine spaces, amenities, and resources they would like to see in the neighborhood. Some of their ideas included adding playgrounds, pools, and playfields, along with addressing housing and security concerns. The primary locations were Greene Homes, Columbus School, and St. Augustine Academy.

The Hollow’s Community Meeting #2 and Youth Workshop were successful meetings that engaged residents in shaping a collective vision. Participants were highly engaged in the various activities and shared vital input and feedback.