Steering Committee Meeting (August): Needs Assessment Results + Visioning

The Hollow Choice Neighborhood Steering Committee hosted its second meeting on Friday, August 16 at the Margaret Morton Government Center. The primary goal of the Steering Committee meeting was to review and discuss the results from the resident needs assessment survey and identify emerging themes for neighborhood revitalization.

The meeting aimed to engage participants in identifying areas of opportunity in the neighborhood, providing updates on the plan’s status and key milestones. Discussions focused on identifying key locations for early action activities, sharing insights from the resident needs assessment survey and recent community meeting. Additionally, the meeting sought to identify and discuss physical community assets, challenges, and opportunities, and define the next steps to advance the planning process.

Discussion points included the area's proximity to Downtown and the potential of certain assets, such as schools, parks, clubs, and apartment buildings. Some of the challenges mentioned in the breakout groups included vacant lots and buildings across from Nanny Goat Park (Lafayette Park) and proximity issues with the homes. Other topics covered included improvements needed at various street intersections. Emphasis was placed on Nanny Goat Park, Greene Homes, and traffic flow, walkability challenges on commuting paths that cross the highway.

Key feedback highlighted the need for vacant lots redevelopment, accessibility to amenities, and community safety. Suggestions included taking action with abandoned and vacant sites, adding spaces for community gathering the Greene Homes, and strengthening safety and accessibility on pedestrian pathways, such as streetlights and high quality sidewalks. Participants identified opportunities to upgrade streets and sidewalks, redevelop vacant sites, engage churches, improve parks, including Nanny Goat Park, and enhance surrounding areas, such as local shops on neighborhood corridors (primarily Main Avenue and Washington St).

Overall, this was a very productive meeting and discussion. Next steps include the launching of the working groups in September, and advancing the Early Action project.