AIA 150: Portland Neighborhood Gateway Study
AIA 150: Portland Neighborhood Gateway Study
A Design Charette by the
American Institute of Architects / Central Kentucky Chapter
The American Institute of Architects was established in 1857. To celebrate this 150 year anniversary, the AIA has challenged its local chapters to undertake a community design initiative. This program is named “The Blueprint for America”. (For more information on this national effort, click on the following website:
www.AIA150.org)
The Central Kentucky Chapter / AIA (which represents metro Louisville as well as southern / western Kentucky) implemented the “Portland Gateway Neighborhood Study” as its contribution to the AIA 150’s “Blueprint for America”.
This effort began in the Fall of 2006 and will continue through 2008. To review the Report, click on the following links to read the Study sections.
Portland Charette Commemorative Poster
Status of this effort: The Report is completed, but the implementation is presently being coordinated with various neighborhood and governmental entities.
Mission Statement
Members of the Central Kentucky Chapter / American Institute of Architects (CKC / AIA) will provide design support to the residents of the Portland neighborhood to assist visualization of their neighborhood development plan that will strengthen the livability of their community without altering its socio-economic character.
Specific Objectives
This design assistance will provide the Portland neighborhood the tools and resources to achieve their goal of inner-city revitalization, such as the following:
• Help the neighborhood develop the plans and ideas that they have spent the past year outlining.
• Have the neighborhood maintain ownership of the plan, while encouraging them to think big and make long term goals.
• Produce graphics that illustrate enhancements to the streetscape, such as housing upgrades, sidewalk furniture, and street signage.
• Provide recommendations for parking and traffic improvements
• Offer development recommendations and feedback on under-utilized property.
For more information on this effort, contact Steve Wiser, AIA, at (502) 583 4697 or via email at Wiser@JRArchitects.com
Charette Description
There are 5 areas of study within the Portland neighborhood that the design charette sought to evaluate. Please click on this link for a PDF of these 5 areas ‘scope of work’.
Schedule of Activities
There are a variety of meetings and activities associated with this charette.
2006:
July 6: Pre-Planning Meeting
August 12: Pre-planning meeting
September 9: Informational & Orientation meeting for Charette
September 30: Pre-Planning Meeting
October 21: Community Charette
2007:
January: Presentation to the Portland Neighborhood Council of
the Charette Info
Spring: Community meeting to review with Portland leaders’
status of initiative
Spring: Hold an “Implementation Summit” that will explore
methods to achieve the planning process visions
Summer: Stage another Charette, but this will be a very
targeted effort focused specifically on one core area to
facilitate implementation.
Fall: Continue to meet with community leaders and residents to
provide guidance and logistical support to realize their
visions.
2008
Continuing to monitor implementation and provide advice / assistance. The AIA / CKC leadership is committing to the Portland neighborhood a minimum of 2 and a half years to assist their implementation of this effort. The success of this initiative is dependent on the actual realization of these designs, and not just to create ‘pretty pictures.’