RETHINKING THE HILL - a presentation at Spaces and Places 2020 by blink!LAB architecture

RETHINKING “THE HILL” PA R T 1 : A B L U E P R I N T F O R T H E C U LT U R A L A N D E C O N O M I C R E G E N E R AT I O N O F T H E AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN RURAL A PA L A C H I C O L A , F L O R I D A

June A. Grant, RA, NOMA

August 6, 2020

INFLUENCING & INFORMING POLICY BLACK ON PURPOSE / BLACK WITH PURPOSE

BLACK PROFESSIONALS (LOCAL)

BLACK DESIGN PROFESSIONALS (VISITING)

F L O R I D A A & M U N I V E R S I T Y, TA L L A H A S S E E , F L . Architecture Andrew Chin Assistant Dean of School of Architecture

Architecture June Grant, RA, NOMA, Design Principal, blinkLAB Architecture, Oakland, CA.

African American History Reginald Ellis, PhD. Assistant Dean of School of Graduate Studies E n g i n e e r i n g S c i e n c e s , Te c h n o l o g y a n d A g r i c u l t u r e D r. D r e a m a l W o r t h e n

A PA L A C H I C O L A ( C L I E N T ) Myrtis Wynn African American Community Activist

Documentary Filmmaking Marcia Smith P r e s i d e n t , F i r e l i g h t M e d i a , N e w Yo r k , N Y. Landscape Architecture Urban/ Regional Planning C.L. Bohannon, Ph.D., ASLA, A s s i s t a n t P r o f e s s o r o f L a n d s c a p e A r c h i t e c t u r e , V i r g i n i a Te c h , V A . Real Estate, Urban/ Regional Planning Ashon Nesbitt R e s e a r c h A n a l y s t f o r t h e F l o r i d a H o u s i n g C o a l i t i o n , Ta m p a , F L .

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

ART AS “FIRST RESPONDER” Phrase Credit: Ashara Ekundayo

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

LOV E , D I G N I T Y, B E A U T Y, PROSPERITY

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

Rethinking â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hillâ&#x20AC;?, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

blink!LAB architecture DESIGN I ADVOCACY I TECHNOLOGY DESIGN + PLANNING C U LT U R A L C E L E B R AT I O N U R B A N R E G E N E R AT I O N

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

“A journey of so many before + the runway we create with + for others understood through a desire to regenerate a black community grounded in Intentionality and Optimal Outcomes.” –JUNE GRANT

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

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The [black] Beach In the 1950â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Money Bayou was the first black-owned beach resort in Florida. Today, only a few parcels in The Beach are still only owned by AfricanAmerican families. The Rhodes

Rethinking â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hillâ&#x20AC;?, Family A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

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”If you were a black business person you couldn’t have a store down there. It is the same. You can go into the stores now. We couldn’t when we were little. Now we can. But we still can’t have our own store”

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L A N D , S PA C E & PROSPERITY

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Lime circles indicate legacy commercial businesses and family homes.

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Magenta circles indicate legacy Education locations.

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

C U LT U R A L GENEALOGY • Black isolation, prosperity and depletion. • People that are rich with difference and

specificity. • Understanding that death/negation

necessitates life/creation.

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

Goal: Understand life, livelihood and movement as once experienced. Strategy: Oral History, Photographs, and Parcel Tax research Outcome: New Maps documenting African-American history

HERITAGE FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEY TO LAND USE STRATEGIES Goal: Deeply root the future in the owners of the economic past. Strategic Partner: Rhodes, Speed and other family owners Outcome: A revived cultural and economic community based on an authentic integration of legacy.

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Often re-development of African American communities come at the expense of that community. By leveraging land-ownership and history The Hill community has an opportunity to own and direct its own Future. V

RHODES

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Rhodes Family property. Cleared land at the intersection of Monroe and Pine Streets. This, the Oyster Shack and others in the vicinity are an opportunity to revive and create the Hill Commercial Heritage Hub .

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6TH ST. (BROAD ST.)

(7TH ST.) DR. FREDRICK F. HUMPHIES ST.

8TH ST. (PINE ST.)

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Holy Names Senior Center

HERITAGE PUBLIC PRESENCE

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Art + Culture

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5TH ST. (LIVE OAK ST.)

In the journeys of daily life, there are pockets of activities - where life, livelihood and movement are experienced. Over time, these spaces of occupancies swell and shrink. The periods when space and life shine bright, dim and pulsate again varies. This experiences varies for everyone. And life occurs at these intersections.

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RHODES

The Hill community is a group of Stakeholders in Land, Shared History and the Future.

O. SPEED

Rhodes Family property located in close proximity to the Holy Names Senior Center and the Speed Family house.

9TH ST. (CEDAR ST.)

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LOCATE INTERSECTIONS OF LIFE & LIVELIHOOD

FAMU Parcel Survey • 120 Vacant • 13 Abandoned • 39 No Data

Legacy African-American business locations

One of two Oyster House locations in The Hill.

Completed: May 2020

Rhodes Recreation Center

Rhodes Family. Pearly Mae Rhodes in the family store.

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

The February 2020 event held inside the Orman Speed house resulted in a moment to look back and mark African-American presence and life as lived in Apalachicola, FL. There were several requests to

continue in this vein - Community Voice in Action at a Time of Celebration. We propose a model where buildings hybrid uses - housing and art establishments.

The February 2020 event held inside the Orman continue in this vein - Community Voice in Action at The February 2020 event held inside the Orman continue in this vein - Community Voice in Action at Speed house resulted in a moment to look back and a Time of Celebration. We propose a model where Speed house resulted in aand moment look back and Time of Celebration. Weart propose a model where mark African-American presence life astolived buildingsa hybrid uses - housing and establishments. mark African-American and life to as lived buildings hybrid uses - housing and art establishments. Exposed in Apalachicola, FL. There werepresence several requests in Apalachicola, FL. There were several requests to

Framing Upgrade

undation pgrade Foundation Upgrade

Foundation Foundation Upgrade Upgrade

Framing Upgrade

Framing UpgradeFraming Upgrade

Framing provides exhibition installation flexibility .

REMAINS OF THE OLD BARBERSHOP AND OTHER STORES

The beauty of the built struct Regeneration of African-American communities requires opportunity fo sincere focus on authenticity. To some extent that requires honoring past successes and struggles. Understanding Investment in shared experienced of that site and sensitively rebuilding Pine Street nexus for the n REMAINS OF THE OLD similar uses on old footprints are of a continuation of that The beauty rural architecture is the simplicity of BARBERSHOP AND OTHER STORES activities. historic narrative. the built structures. They provide the greatest

Regeneration of African-American communities requires opportunity for renovation and adaptability. sincere focus on authenticity. To some extent that requires honoring past successes and struggles. Understanding Investment in these artifacts can become Pinethe Street Pine Street shared experienced of that site and sensitively rebuilding REMAINS OF THE OLD nexus for the next generation of commercial The beauty of rural architecture is the simplicity of REMAINS OFOTHER THEare OLD similar uses on old footprints a continuation of that BARBERSHOP AND STORES The beauty of rural architecture is the simplicity of BARBERSHOP AND OTHER STORES activities. the built structures. They provide the greatest historic narrative. Regeneration of African-American communities requires the built structures. They provide the greatest Regeneration of African-American opportunity for renovation and adaptability. sincere focus on authenticity. To some extentcommunities that requiresrequires opportunity for renovation and adaptability. focus onand authenticity. some extent that requires honoring sincere past successes struggles.ToUnderstanding Investment in these artifacts can become the honoring past successes and struggles. Understanding Investment in these artifacts can become the shared experienced of that site and sensitively rebuilding nexus for the next generation of commercial shared experienced of that site and sensitively similar uses on old footprints are a continuation of that rebuilding nexus for the next generation of commercial similar uses on old footprints are a continuation of that activities. historic narrative. activities. historic narrative.

Exposed Wood Exposed Wood Framing provides Framing provides exhibition installation flexibility . exhibition installation flexibility .

Exposured Exposured structure becomes structure becomes the style announcing thea style announcing a building as an Art Structure.

Enclosed Enclosed rooms rooms are are potential artist potential artist studio retreat. studio retreat. Enclosed Enclosed rooms are rooms potential artist are

Wood Framing provides exhibition installation flexibility . Exposed Wood

Goal: Revive past commercial life and new economic opportunity. Strategic Partner:Partner: Rhodes, Rhodes, Speed and otherand family owners Strategic Speed other family owners l 23 Outcome: HonoringHonoring of the past andpast newand space where AfricanOutcome: of the new space where AfricanAmericans are physically comfortable in public in space. Americans are physically comfortable public space.

Monroe Street

22 l

Goal: A permanent place to celebrate history and plan new futures Strategic Partners: Speed,Speed, RhodesRhodes families,families, Community Land Land Strategic Partners: Community Trust Trust Outcome: A formal civic nexus anchors the community. Outcome: A formal civic that nexus that anchors the community.

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Monroe Street

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COMMERCIAL HERITAGE LEGACY BUSINESS LEGACY BUSINESS HUB OF THE FUTURE Goal: Revive past commercialARE life and new economic opportunity. FOOTPRINTS THE FOOTPRINTS ARE THE Strategic Partner: Rhodes, Speed and other family owners COMMERCIAL HERITAGE COMMERCIAL HERITAGE Outcome: Honoring of the past and new space where AfricanAmericansOF are physically comfortable in public space. HUB THE FUTURE HUB OF THE FUTURE Goal: Revive past commercial life and new economic opportunity.

Monroe Street

22 l

BEGINNING OF AN ART + THE POP-UP HISTORY THE POP-UP CULTURE HUB HISTORY Goal: AMUSEUM permanent place history and plan new futures MUSEUM ISto celebrate THE IS THE Strategic Partners: Speed, Rhodes families, Community Land BEGINNING OF OF ANAN ART + + BEGINNING ART Trust Outcome: A formal civicHUB nexus that anchors the community. CULTURE CULTURE HUB Goal: A permanent place to celebrate history and plan new futures

building as an Art Structure.

Design + Planning Cultural Celebration

Exposured Exposured structure becomes structurea becomes the style announcing announcing a building as anthe Artstyle Structure.

Completed: May 2020

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

4 SALE OF PRODUCE AT FAMILY-OWNED PUBLIC MARKET.

ist ing E

Americans spend more on food than on almost any other line-item in the household budget. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for rural and suburban consumers, food is their thirdhighest expense after housing and transportation. Urban residents spend more on food than anything aside from housing.

COMMUNITY GREENHOUSES AND GARDEN PLOTS

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Goal: Greater control over economic self-determinancy. Strategy + Partners: Up-cycle unused backyards as a source for food production. Partnership with land owners and FAMU. Outcome: A circular economy around basic necessities.

BACKYARD SPACE ADDED TO TENANT FARM COOPERATIVE.

Commu ed, ni s t ea

L oc

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FOOD SCIENCE IS A LAUNCH PAD FOR A SUSTAINABLE LOCAL ECONOMY

ow n, Loca

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EXISTING HOUSING ESTABLISHED AS FAMU RESEARCH FARM HOUSING SATELLITE FACILITY.

Apalachicola is positioned to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of Dr. Dreamal Worthen’s, Professor in the College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture at FAMU. Dr. Worthen’s research focuses on environmental justice, the elderly, poverty and health issues in rural communities of color.

en t

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

28 l

PATHWAYS PROVIDE AN IDENTITY Goal: A system that creates an identity and unifies The Hill as a unique experience. Strategy: Private property owners and easements Outcome: Introduction of informal pathways, public seating and places to commemorate historic figures, events and demonstrate to future generations Who We Are and What Do We Have To Show For It.

Rethinking â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hillâ&#x20AC;?, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

30 l

THE HILL COMMUNITY LIFE + LIVELIHOOD is

URBAN FARM COOPERATIVE The integration of urban farming on a large scale by the utilization of adjacent backyards will create a new agriculture tenancy model that yields hyper-local economic gains to the entire community.

a blue-print for a local ecosystem designed around African-American land ownership, history & culture.

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PRIVATELY-OWNED - PUBLIC MARKET Property owners create a new business model for both private & public amenity supporting local produce and cottage industry vending.

THE HILL URBAN FARM COOPERATIVE

AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART & CULTURAL HUB

Conversion of existing un-occupied houses to art and culture studios provides an opening for African-American creative tourism.

FAMU Food Science Research Institute.

9 2

4 Sweet AfricanAmerican History Museum.

Rhodes Trading Post & Market Hall

Rhodes Artist Retreat Studio.

3 FAMU Education & Hill Incubator. Social Club.

6 AN INCUBATOR CENTER & MAKER SPACE is critical to the emergence and promotion of new businesses; as well as a permanent location for skills-sharing.

THE COMMERCIAL HERITAGE IMPACT HUB is achieved through a “fill the gap” strategy which increases density and results in a continuous street frontage.

The Hill Amphitheater

Holy Family Senior Center.

CEREMONIAL SPACES are supported by the addition of landforms and features. These amenities encourage an active public presence and assembly throughout the year.

Rethinking “The Hill”, A Blueprint for Cultural Regeneration

RETHINKING “THE HILL” PA R T I I - R E - E N G A G I N G A F R I C A N - A M E R I C A N L E G A C Y F A M I L I E S I N A R E G E N E R AT I V E DISCUSSION A PA L A C H I C O L A , F L O R I D A

June A. Grant, RA, NOMA

August 6, 2020